A rite of Spring passage, Sullivan's Castle Island opens for the season
BOSTON - There are a handful of rites of Spring passage in Boston: Red Sox opening day, the swans parading their way back into the Public Garden, the cherry blossoms decorating the Esplanade, and the opening of Sullivan's on Castle Island.
Despite the bitter temperatures in the forecast Saturday, and the probability of snow early in the week, Sullivan's opened its doors for the season, nearly a month before Spring's true arrival.
Sullivan's has been serving generations of seasonal customers at its counter since 1951.
Will Cummings, a worker at Sullivan's, spoke of the importance of the restaurant's opening day.
"We're always seeing familiar faces in here on this day," he said. "It's a big day for Southie and anywhere around here, actually."
There were weather-hardy customers waiting for their favorite hot dogs and French fries during Saturday's first lunch service of the year.
Fourteen-year-old Ava has been eating at Sullivan's since she was a toddler, travelling long and far to attend today's opening.
"I came three hours," she said. "It's just really good food."
