Not-So-Small Wonder: Dining Startup Brings Famed Menus To Natick

NATICK, MA — Natick is home to a new food hall, though you might say its kitchen extends far beyond the town.

Wonder serves up fresh meals from dozens of popular restaurants and famed chefs across the country. The eatery at 219 North Main St. is one of nine Wonder restaurants that are now open or preparing to debut in Massachusetts – and over 120 across the Northeast, according to the company's website.

They all employ the same hub-and-spoke model. Chef-inspired dishes are initially produced offsite, then shipped to Wonder storefronts where workers make the final preparations. Customers can mix and match a wide variety of cuisine, and orders are available for dine-in, pickup or delivery.

There are menu choices created by culinary superstars like Bobby Flay and Marcus Samuelsson. But Wonder says the restaurants try to maintain a local flavor too, working with nearby food businesses and even displaying murals by local artists.

Wonder launched its first restaurant eight years ago in New York City, and is backed by a venture capital group there.

The Wonder restaurant in Natick opened Feb. 12, and occupies space at the former Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in the 9/27 shopping plaza.