The Mexican cantina Rudy’s Cafe is closing permanently Jan. 19, owners said Sunday in a social media post.
“It is with great sadness we announce that unfortunately Rudy’s will be closing,” said owner Rob Halpin, asking that customers be patient as the Teele Square, Somerville, restaurant wound down and to “keep in mind we are understaffed and low on inventory” – so much so that not everyone may be able to enjoy their favorites dishes one last time.
Rudy’s opened in 1982 serving Tex-Mex with a neighborhood-bar vibe. During a visit in 2023, reviewer Tom Meek cited the eatery as being a solid choice for vegetarians with nonmeat options such as spinach and grilled-veggie quesadillas and burritos, as well as for people with kids and those looking for freshly made guacamole or a “righteous tequila bar with a vast collection of brands and blends.”
Halpin started working at Rudy’s Cafe in 1988 as a line cook while attending Tufts University, eventually becoming a bartender and finally manager under founder John Fallon. He bought it in 2007, according to Halpin’s online history on Yelp.
The closing continues a turnover in Mexican cantinas such as Jose’s and the Border Cafe in Cambridge (the latter replaced with a Painted Burro restaurant) and in Teele Square, which has seen recent closings of mainstays Renee’s Cafe in 2022 (now the Basma Cafe), True Bistro in 2023 and Istanbul’lu last year. (The Istanbul’lu replacement, the Buzzin’ Bean vegetarian cafe, may be open after construction at the end of February or in March, owner Jayashree Venkataraman said Thursday.)
Halpin said he planned to hold an auction, selling off the restaurant’s artwork and other items with proceeds “to benefit our incredible kitchen staff as they also look to start a new chapter.”
Rudy’s Cafe, 248 Holland St., Teele Square, Somerville
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