A popular neighborhood Mexican kitchen and tequila bar has temporarily closed its Brookline outpost following a fire.
Painted Burro shuttered its doors at 1665 Beacon St in Washington Square after a fire broke out in the basement of the building, shortly after midnight on Wednesday, January 14. According to a recent report from Brookline.News, firefighters were alerted after a passerby spotted the blaze and called it in.
Brookline Fire Chief John Sullivan told the publication that crews responded quickly and were able to extinguish the fire without incident. The restaurant was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported.
While the fire was contained to the basement, it caused moderate damage, primarily to contents rather than the structure itself. An investigation is ongoing, though Sullivan noted that the fire does not appear suspicious.
The impact extended beyond Painted Burro. Vinodivino, a boutique wine shop located next door at 1669 Beacon St, also sustained damage. A sign posted on Vinodivino’s door states that the store will remain closed for the foreseeable future, directing customers to its other locations in Boston and Newton.
“We are incredibly grateful that no one was hurt,” the Painted Burro team shared in an Instagram post announcing the news. “A huge thank you to the Brookline Fire Department for their quick response and support.”
The post confirmed that the Brookline restaurant will remain closed for the foreseeable future, but conveyed optimism about the road ahead: “While this is a setback, it is not the end. We are already looking ahead and can’t wait to re-open bigger and better than before.”
Founded in Somerville’s Davis Square in 2012, Painted Burro was created by Chef Joseph Cassinelli as part of Alpine Restaurant Group, which also operates Posto locations in Somerville and the South End.
Known for its playful, regional approach to Mexican cuisine, Painted Burro draws inspiration from Baja, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and the Yucatán, offering creative tacos, enchiladas, house-made salsas, seasonal plates, and an extensive tequila and mezcal selection.
What Now Boston has reached out to the Painted Burro team for additional details regarding reopening timelines and repairs and will update this page as more information becomes available. In the meantime, fans can visit Painted Burro’s other locations in Somerville, Waltham, and Cambridge’s Harvard Square.
