Sam Walker's Tavern Opening in Bedford
Sam Walker's American Tavern is expanding with a new location in Bedford, Massachusetts. The restaurant, known for comfort food, will take over a space previously occupied by Bamboo. This will be its second location north of Boston.
- The new Bedford location will be the third for Sam Walker's American Tavern, joining its original restaurant in Woburn, which opened in January 2022, and a second in Swampscott that opened in December 2025. - The restaurant's name pays homage to Captain Samuel Walker, Sr., a respected selectman in 17th-century Woburn and the first person to be granted a license for a tavern and to sell liquor in the city. - Parent company Maverick Hospitality Group operates several other restaurant concepts in the Boston area, including Lucy's American Tavern, The Bowery Bar, Cityside Tavern, Layla's American Tavern, and Chubbs Taco & Tequila Bar. - The menu focuses on American comfort food, featuring items like in-house smoked barbecue, steak tips, macaroni and cheese, and Mexican street nachos. The beverage program includes over 50 local and regional beers, seasonal sangrias, and craft cocktails. - The Woburn location is a 300-seat restaurant with three bars, indicating the potential for a large and lively atmosphere at the new Bedford establishment. - The restaurant is taking over the space at 213 Burlington Road, which was previously occupied by Bamboo, an Asian restaurant. - The former tenant, Bamboo, faced a hearing with the Bedford Board of Health in January 2025 due to repeated food code violations, including issues with food temperature control.
