Restaurants

Another late-night Taco Bell coming to Boston area

Resident groups and officials expressed concerns over third-party deliveries at the new location near Berklee.

By Katelyn Umholtz

July 2, 2024

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Another late-night-operating Taco Bell is coming to Boston, from the same franchisee that has brought in more upscale versions of the chain to Allston, South Boston, and Brookline.

Located at 1084 Boylston St., in Fenway-Kenmore near Berklee College of Music, Boston’s Licensing Board on June 26 approved the Cantina Hospitality application to change a former T-Mobile into a Taco Bell. But there were some additional requests along the way. 

The Licensing Board asked for a plan in writing for how the store would deal with third-party deliveries, amid mounting frustrations over traffic congestion and concerns caused by drivers for apps like UberEats and DoorDash. 

Attorney Tom Miller, who spoke for Cantina Hospitality, said the business hasn’t heard about any similar issues at its other Taco Bell stores in Boston and Brookline. They also claim to have a “sophisticated app-tracking system” in place to let delivery drivers know when an order is ready. 

“Additionally we’re looking into the process to see if we can get a space out front of the restaurant designated for short-term parking for drivers coming to pick up food at the restaurant,” Miller said. 

Similar concerns over delivery were brought up in an abutters meeting on May 20 and later a Fenway Civic Association meeting. It was asked that the restaurant shorten its hours for this reason, originally open until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The approved hours are now 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cantina Hospitality brought the Boston area’s first Taco Bell with booze near Boston University in Brookline. Though the newest location will have other elements of a Taco Bell Cantina, like a customizable menu and elevated decor, Miller said in the May abutters meeting they had decided not to purchase a liquor license for this Boston store. Offering alcoholic beverages have become the hallmark of Taco Bell Cantina locations, though there are many across the country that don’t sell booze or do not get approved by officials to serve alcohol. 

The franchisee also tried to snag a liquor license for their Allston location — the former home of the beloved Great Scott music venue — and though the licensing board approved the restaurant’s wine and malt beverage license, it was contingent on whether one of the city’s notoriously scarce liquor licenses became available.

It isn’t immediately clear when the new store, which will have 12 seats and cater to mobile orders, will open.