A number of people on Beacon Hill have been wondering why the owners of The Federal hung black plastic in the windows and abruptly closed the deli several days ago.
The restaurant had been staple on Cambridge Street and a go-to spot for the firefighters in the station next door for sandwiches, subs and pizza.
But Jared Chianciola, the director of the kitchen, said it's time for a change. Behind the plastic, workers are repainting and repairing the restaurant, getting it ready to reopen as a spot for burgers, hot dogs, French fries, wings and the like, with a slightly new decor.
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"We're going to keep it pretty much the same," Chianciola said of the interior, "just clean everything up. It just needed some TLC." The new restaurant, which has yet to be named, will have white walls with painted red bricks and a large overhead chalkboard featuring the menu.
Chianciola is looking to reopen the restaurant Oct. 17. And, he said, the firefighters next door are looking forward to the change. They had been asking for some new menu items, he said.
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Aside from sit-down restaurants, there isn't really a place to get a great burger on Beacon Hill, Chianciola said. The new place would be something that's affordable and fast.
The owners of The Federal also own Forum, Noche and The Tap.
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