Two long-time Quincy restaurants close today amid shake-up of city's restaurant scene

QUINCY ‒ The end of June marks the end of an era in Quincy's restaurant scene, as two staples that have served South Shore diners for a combined 117 years close for good. La Paloma Mexican Restaurant on Newport Ave and The Wheelhouse Diner on Hancock Street both say a final goodbye to regulars and staff on Sunday, June 30.

One last reunion planned at the Wheelhouse

The Wheelhouse Diner, modeled after an old fashioned dining car, was built in 1947. When the underlying property changed hands in February 2023, the new landlord and Wheelhouse owner LeeAnn Vieira McDonough clashed over rent and other issues, leading to eviction proceedings in Quincy District Court.

In May, the two parties settled before a trial, and McDonough agreed to close on the last day of June and vacate in July.

This week, McDonough announced on Facebook that The Wheelhouse will hold a party at the restaurant on Sunday afternoon:

"Sunday we will be celebrating 80 years of the Wheelhouse Diner form 2-6," the post reads. "I would love to have everyone and anyone who has ever worked here stop by. Would love to have a Wheelhouse reunion!"

Crowds line up at La Paloma for one last taste

Earlier this month, co-owners of La Paloma, Michael Welch and Stephen Dwyer, announced the popular Tex-Mex restaurant would close on June 30 after 40 years in business.

The announcement met with a huge response from loyal customers on social media, and long lines have been queuing up outside the restaurant..

"It's all our regulars," Welch said. "They're coming back not only once, but twice, sometimes three times a week, and they're all saying, 'we'll be back next week too.'"

A shake-up of Quincy's restaurant scene over the last 6 months

Quincy has seen a lot of movement in its restaurant scene this year as established favorites closed or rebranded and new restaurants open and grow.

In June, the IHOP restaurant on Parkingway closed after the city took the property by eminent domain to make way for a massive mixed use development including residential towers and a Trader Joe's grocery store. Pancake enthusiasts will be comforted to know that IHOP plans to move across the street from its old location.

In early January, The Fat Cat closed it's doors on Hancock Street in Quincy Center, unable to meet the rising costs of doing business. It had opened in 2007 on Chestnut Street before moving to new, larger location in 2019.

Nearby, at 1250 Hancock St., the Townshend closed temporarily in late 2023. It then reopened under the same ownership but now named Dotty's Kitchen and Raw Bar in February.

In North Quincy, just up the street from The Wheelhouse, a favorite Vietnamese restaurant known for its noodle soup underwent a dramatic change, bringing in a new chef, manager and exciting dinner and drink menu, when Pho Linh reopened as Le Madeline in February on the corner of Hancock Street and Billings Road.

The following March, well-known Quincy restaurateur Jimmy Liang announced plans to open Masons Steak House in the old Masonic Temple, the interior of which was gutted by a devastating fire in 2013. Liang said he anticipates a fall opening.

Other recent openings include a trio of Asian restaurants: Cloud Fusion, Bonchon and Omori Izakaya.

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

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