When Does Sullivan’s Open? Castle Island Spot Reopens In March

It's the question we ask every February, it seems: when does Sullivan's open? Well, a date has been set for the 2024 reopening.

I've been stalking the legendary Castle Island eatery for weeks now. It's become an annual Boston tradition, not unlike Truck Day in early February. Once the Red Sox equipment truck makes its way to Florida for Spring Training, there's a vernal light on the horizon and you can count the days to winter's end. Those days become even fewer once Sully's shares their OG Southie opening date.

And they finally did, just a few days ago, on their Facebook page.

The text reads: "The hot dogs have arrived! IT'S ALMOST TIME! See you all on March 2nd." So it's official: Sully's Castle Island will be back on Saturday, March 2, 2024. I checked Accuweather for the forecast in Southie on Saturday: Cloudy with a brief shower or two, high of 51 degrees, low of 46, real feel of 50. In other words, a perfect fake spring day to celebrate the return of Sully's for another season.

For years, I worked just up the street from Sully's at the Boston Globe, back when their headquarters were on Morrissey Boulevard. And, of course, the ROCK 92.9 studios were right next door. So I spent the better part of a decade sneaking off for the occasional field trip to Sullivan's for a quick hot dog or an ice cream cone. Or, if I had my kids at work with me, lunch and a stroll around the Sugar Bowl.

Sure, you can hit Sully's year-round at their Boston or Hanover locations. But there's something special about Southie. Since the early 1950s, it's been a harbinger of spring and a go-to city spot for solid eats. I'm glad it's back for another season. And that you can still get a hot dog there for under four bucks. Or just under six bucks if you want a chili dog.

As New Hampshire diners go, Tilt'n Diner off in Tilton, NH was always a family favorite. And I'm here to say it still is.

Throughout the 2010s, I spent countless winter weekends in the White Mountains, hitting the slopes with my kids and hosting apres-ski parties at pubs and resorts all over New Hampshire. We logged a lot of miles together and had a lot of great road trip meals. Many of those meals were consumed at the Tilt'n Diner, a 50s-style diner which has been slingin' hash right off of 93 since '92.

I'd usually go all-in on the all-day breakfast and order the Cadillac: 2 eggs over easy, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and wheat toast. My oldest was fond of the biscuits 'n gravy, and I don't blame him; their sausage gravy is to die for. My youngest would eschew breakfast and instead opt for spaghetti or house-made mac 'n cheese. And we'd wash it all down with cherry or vanilla Cokes.

I hadn't been to the Tilt'n for about 5 years, as my New Hampshire travels have taken me elsewhere in the state. But recently, I'd taken my first-ever trip to Tenney Mountain, and since the Tilt'n was on my way home, I decided a solo trip for a hearty supper was in the cards. I rolled in hungry right before 5 p.m. on a Saturday and was able to grab a stool at the counter before the big dinner rush.

It was different without my kids in tow--no balloons or coloring pages with crayons or diner hats placed jauntily on our heads as we dined. But the vibe was the same. Classic '50s decor with old school rock & roll soundtracking diner diners dining on homemade comfort classics. The menu is stacked, the service is friendly and prompt, and it's family-friendly.

Some things never change, and sometimes that's a good thing. That's certainly the case for the Tilt'n Diner.