On January 1, 2024, Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen (DCBK), located at 604 Columbus Ave in Boston’s South End, will temporarily close its doors for a rebranding and expansion. Owner Nia Grace announced the closure via the restaurant’s website and on Instagram.
Known for its live entertainment and southern-style soul food, DCBK has long been a staple in Boston’s dining scene. The restaurant’s history dates back to 1957 when it first opened as Bob the Chef’s, one of the few black-owned joints in the neighborhood.
Darryl Settles took over in 1990 and solidified the eatery’s status as a beloved South End institution. Grace assumed ownership in September 2018, breaking barriers as a black woman in the predominantly white male-dominated culinary world.
Although the specifics of the rebranding, the extent of the expansion, and the anticipated reopening date remain undisclosed for now, Grace shared a glimpse of her vision with her Instagram followers.
“I look forward to continuing the legacy and ushering a new generation of comfort dining, expressive art, and enriched community in the spirit of the originators who blazed this path before me—on the corner where it all began.”
