Mar

31

Uno’s, we hardly knew ya.

Posted by nathanael on March 31st, 2010. Filed Under restaurants 

Just as Kelly’s is preparing to open at the corner of Harvard and Commonwealth, the Pizzeria Uno’s across the street has closed down. I just noticed tonight at the lights are off, the awning has been taken down. Apparently the chain declared bankruptcy in January (thanks @Chernickator), and though some stores are staying open (Kenmore & Harvard Squares), the Allston Village one is not.

I wasn’t a giant fan of Uno’s (and who really was? Actually, strike that, their 30/40 nachos were “kerfuffle” worthy.) But I’m sad to see them go. While my natural inclination is that I’d rather see independents than chains, it’s far better on the whole to have these large signature corner spaces occupied than empty.

It’s worth mentioning the (solid three star) Inbound Pizza next door to Uno’s (a decent enough place for a quick slice or just chattin’ up the randoms) is still open and operating, a small business worth supporting (along with the rest of the small independently operated restaurants in the neighborhood).

It’s not entirely related but it’s as good a time as any to bring up the epidemic of rather enthusiastic enforcement of city licensing requirements that’s been going around lately. Four businesses (Chill, Zaps, Dawat and Shabu Shabu Toki) were all cited this week for licensing violations (as was Big City mid-March and as were Bravo Pizzeria, Great Scott & Harper’s Ferry last year). Citing Chill for having a television, Bravo for Big Buck Hunter or Big City for their (quelle horreur!) foosball tables only serves to harm the small businesses that make up the lifeblood of the neighborhood. There’s no public health or public safety argument that I can see here (but please, explain to me why I’m wrong). Regulation for regulation’s sake isn’t inherently a good thing, when it’s being used as a facade to cover a NIMBY attitude about questionable quality of life claims (as we’re seeing with both the Kelly’s and Azama closing time situations). Anyway, this is just something I hope (but particularly doubt) Paul Berkeley and the Allston Civic Association will take into account as the Azama decision making process moves forward.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Uno’s, we hardly knew ya.”

  1. p.m.f. on April 13th, 2010 4:25 pm

    I was shocked to find it closed! To be honest, I will miss them. A lot. There are no gluten-free pizza options in the immediate area, and that makes me want to cry.

  2. R...A...M on April 18th, 2010 3:05 pm

    Good riddance. I gave that location more than a few chances to provide me with adequate service, and it disappointed me each time. Why did I go back? I’m a forgiver (who’s actually pretty easy to please) who likes the Chicken Spinoccoli. On my last visit there, I thought “this rudeness and slow service just isn’t worth it” — I guess I’m not alone in that opinion if the whole chain is on the way out.

    Also: I work near the Huntington Ave. location; it seems as if they’ve thrown in the towel, too. Terrible service. It was on my last visit there I’d decided “No more Uno’s, anywhere”.

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