Which now-closed MetroWest restaurants do people miss the most? Here's what you told us

Sometimes, you just have a hankering for a juicy steak like one you remember you had years ago, or that chicken parmesan or pizza from your favorite Italian restaurant your family went to when you were a kid.

Things just aren't like they used to be, are they? Certainly the prices have changed. But the delicious memories still remain.

To find out which now-closed restaurants people miss the most, we took to social media and asked people about the establishments they wish were still around. We received many responses, but the names of some places that are no longer with us kept popping up again and again.

From family-style Greek and Italian to casual steak-and-potato restaurants, to a historic inn, a beloved deli, and seafood and savory Chinese establishments, here are some of the restaurants we wish were still around.

Abner Wheeler House, Framingham

The Abner Wheeler House was at 680 Worcester Road (Route 9) at the intersection with Main Street and had a Colonial atmosphere that was apparently authentic. It was once an inn and a stagecoach stop, according to the Framingham History Center. It was in the area across from where Trader Joe’s is now. A 1942 menu that's for sale on eBay lists a full broiled live lobster dinner for $2.50, two broiled lamb chops for $1.70 and chicken a la king for $1.40. One person on social media said their family would drive from Boston to have a special meal at this institution. “Every attempt has been made to preserve the old atmosphere,” reads an old postcard from the place. “The old fireplaces are here in much the same condition as they were when built in 1730, including the kitchen in the old part of the house, with the crane, kettle and hook. The hand-hewn beams in the ceiling are the original ones, as is the brick hearth and floor of wide white pine plank.” Abner Wheeler House was torn down in 1971.

Marconi's, Ashland

Marconi’s on Pleasant Street was a Friday night tradition for many families. Diners would queue up in the stairwell, where there was always a long wait for your party to be called because it was so popular. The pizza and chicken parmesan antipasto plates were wonderful classic Italian dishes. They had a scallop pizza with huge fried scallops on top. The family-run business had friendly staff that always made you feel welcome, diners who miss this place told us on Facebook.

The 'original' Giovanni’s, Framingham

They had "off the charts” pizza and “the best” meatballs in the Natick/Framingham area, according to one Facebook poster. It was on Route 9 where Pizzeria Uno is now and people would wait in line to get in. Steak and spaghetti was the favorite mentioned by one Facebook poster we reached out to on social media. The beloved restaurant closed about 40 years ago, but the business was purchased by loyal customer Brian Cappello. He moved it to Natick and it's primarily take-out with “one indoor table romantically situated next to a non-working gas fireplace and a window view of majestic rt 135 (seats 4 with the option to expand) and offers a plethora of outdoor seating options surrounded by tremendous greenery and breathtaking people-watching via the Roche Bros lot,” according to the tongue-in-cheek description on their website.

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Union House, Framingham

Union House operated at 672 Waverly St. from 1939 to 2002. We're told it served square pizzas that, when baked, formed huge bubbles of cheese. Several fans say they are still hankering for this pizza. They even had a dessert pizza. The restaurant was founded by Philip and Delcisa "Della" Ottaviani, grandparents of City Council Chair Philip Ottaviani Jr., who still owns the building. The 135 Grill Steakhouse is now at this location.

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Whites Corner, Southborough

The French Dip at Whites Corner was reportedly made with a piece of prime rib in a sandwich. Owned by Frank and Lena Rossi, the restaurant made everything from scratch, we're told. Fans say all the food was delicious but one person said their most beloved dish, the broiled cod with Ritz cracker topping with parmesan risotto, was “so yummy.” White’s Corner was at the intersection of Turnpike Road (Route 9) and Breakneck Hill Road, where Tomasso Trattoria & Enoteca, the Vin Bin, a Starbuck’s coffee and other businesses are now. After 50 years, White’s Corner closed unexpectedly in 2001.

Victoria Station, Framingham

Victoria Station, on Caldor Road, was part of a national chain of railroad-themed steakhouse restaurants. Kids especially loved the decor — the exteriors were made from boxcars and a caboose. Inside, there were train-themed antiques and artifacts. Its prime rib, salad bar and cheescakes were favorites of many diners. The company went bankrupt in 1986. The last of the company's restaurants, in Salem, closed in 2017, according to Wikipedia. The Framingham location was later home to a Bugaboo Creek restaurant and then Framingham Beer Works, which did not survive the pandemic and closed in 2020.

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York Steak House, Natick

You probably wouldn’t go to this national chain restaurant and ask for filet mignon, but York Steak House in the Natick Mall had great hamburgers (with “glistening” buns), fans on social media say. With reasonable prices, its chopped steak with big steak fries, with lime jello with whipped cream for dessert just floated some people’s boat and they say they still miss it. York had an open kitchen, where diners could hear chefs call out orders. Very popular in the 1970s, the cafeteria-style dining company reportedly still has one York Steak House left, in Columbus, Ohio.

Finally Michael’s, Framingham

Finally Michael’s on Route 9 had quiet booths with bookshelves that lined the walls. Michael Gillen opened Finally Michael’s at the same spot where Anthony’s Steakhouse was after Anthony Abu retired. Prime rib, lamb and seafood were favorites of diners here, and the salad bar that had a huge block of cheddar cheese on it was popular, too. You could also order food in the cozy, casual bar, which had a fireplace. The restaurant had a good wine list and dishes like Steak Diane, escargot and Veal Oscar. It was a popular spot for bar and bat mitzvahs. CVS has a store at the spot now, at the intersection of Route 9 and Temple Street. It closed about 1999.

The Aegean, Framingham

The Aegean on Cochituate Road (Route 30) had great Greek and American food, including “the best lamb ever” says one person on Facebook. Others praised its egg-lemon soup and even smelts, which is a small fish. It was a popular place for business lunches and events of all kinds. Nicholas and Toula Ntasios opened the Aegean in May 1981 in a plaza on Beacon Street, then moved to Cochituate Road in 2005. “From the start, The Aegean was very popular with local folks,” according to a history of the eatery posted on the restaurant’s website. “Even in the first obscure location they quickly prospered and grew, enjoying two expansions over time.” In 2020, the restaurant filed for bankruptcy and in April 2021, it was sold in a foreclosure auction for $1.1 million to a Brookline man who was married there in 2010.

Joan & Ed’s Deli, Framingham and Natick

Great sandwiches, pickles and soup were the hallmarks of Joan & Ed’s Deli. One fan says they're still looking for a pickle as good as at Joan & Ed’s. Initially, Joan and Ed Sanderson opened "The Deli" in Shoppers World in 1977. In 1994, when the old Shoppers World was about to be torn down, they moved across Route 9 to Sherwood Plaza in Natick and renamed it Joan & Ed’s Deli, Ed Sanderson, who now lives in Florida, wrote on Facebook recently. In 2010, the couple retired and Zaftig’s Delicatessen open in the same spot.

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Bar Lunch, Hudson

Fish, clams, beef, chicken and veal dishes were always made homemade from scratch, as was the sauce for pasta. “Five-star restaurant at family-friendly prices, and you never left hungry,” said one person on Facebook. “I haven't even found a chicken parmigiano that's as well made yet.” Downtown at 169 Main St., the bar “looked like it might fall over,” but that was part of the place's charm.

Michi Kusa, Framingham

Michi Kusa was at 2 Beacon St., the location off Route 9 where Angry Ham’s later operated. Michi Kusa served upscale Japanese food, including some of the best sushi around. The décor was very cool and featured blond wood. It had bento boxes that gave you a taste of everything, served in an elegant way. Its Japanese-inspired fish and chips, one diner said, was “perfect.” It closed around 2007.

Eo Noodle, Framingham

Eo Noodle on Worcester Road (Route 9 west) was fairly close to the newspaper office when the Daily News was on New York Avenue, so it was a favorite with many at the paper. Most of the different types of noodles you could order were made in the restaurant. This small, modest noodle shop served up big flavors; the wontons in its soup were so tender they were addictive. The owner, who was also the chef, was a little gruff, but if you were a regular he warmed up to you. The restaurant abruptly closed with no explanation in 2015.

The Royal Mandarin, Marlborough

The Royal Mandarin was a Chinese restaurant that was very popular, especially for lunch, particularly for those who worked at the nearby Digital Equipment Corp. plant in Hudson and other area high-tech firms. At the time, it was a cut above many other Chinese restaurants in the area. It had a great lunch buffet and delicious scallion pancakes. Firefly’s BBQ is now at the 350 East Main St. (Route 20) spot.

Chin’s Village, Wellesley

Chins Village on Route 9 in Wellesley had the “best Chinese food ever,” according to one fan, who told us on Facebook. Apparently, it served French bread before each meal, kind of unusual for a Chinese restaurant. A fire destroyed the building.

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Sea & Surf, Framingham

Sea & Surf was at the intersection of Routes 9 and 126 and, of course, served seafood. It had a pool filled with lobsters where diners could pick out their favored crustacean. On the restroom doors were signs that said “Buoys” and “Gulls,” which folks found charming.

Other mentions: The Winthrop, The Ground Round, Copper Kettle, Volturno, Cape Cod Ice Cream, The Oxford (Marlborough), Wallace’s, Popover’s (Wellelsey) and Bailey’s (Wellesley), Eagerman’s Bagel (Natick) and Nina’s Subs (Natick).

Which restaurants do you miss the most? Let us know in the comments here or on the story on Facebook. We'd love to hear from you!

Nancy Olesin is the features editor at the Daily News. Got a story idea? Email her at nolesin@wickedlocal.com.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Popular restaurants in Framingham, Natick Ashland Hudson Marlborough