We know Reading and North Reading residents don’t just stay in either town when they want a night out and a break from cooking.

Restaurant comings and goings, new business and the best dishes and recipes are among the items that have appeared on area Patch sites over the past month.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories local Patch sites have covered over the past month. Read through our round up for the latest food news in the area. 

READING-NORTH READING

In North Reading, changes are afoot at Great American Tavern. The tavern is undergoing some changes including a breakfast menu, a new manager on their liquor license and they are working on extended hours for the patio.

The Chocolate Truffle in Reading is getting in on the cupcake craze. The shop now offers cupcakes under the brand Boston Cupcake Girl; cupcakes, which mirror The Chocolate Truffle’s award winning and locally made hand, dipped truffle and chocolate flavors. Some flavors include salted caramel, Sam Adams and Limoncello. Boston Cupcake Girl is availalble for daily pick in our Winchester store only for now and available through special order for pick up in Reading.

WILMINGTON

So far, business has been brisk at the Donut Shop, according to its owner. Wilmington Patch spoke with the owner earlier this month about the shop. The Donut Shop opened in April.

Looking for something that brings you back to your grandmother’s kitchen? Wowo’s Goodies could be it.  Named after Lisa Johnson’s beloved grandmother who they nicknamed “Wowo” this "goodie" business really is a family affair.

It was, after all, the family carrot cake recipe that inspired the Johnson’s to found Wowo’s Goodies.

ANDOVER

Have you seen the lines outside Orange Leaf in Andover recently? The man behind the Andover location is David Pierre. With more locations slated to open in Tewksbury and Reading, Orange Leaf may be a place to check out, as it gets warmer.

If it’s ice cream you are looking for, Andovers A La Carte recently profiled places locally to go. 

NORTH ANDOVER 

Just in time for grilling season, North Andover Patch highlighted places to go for meat. With Butcher Boy and the Meat House in town, there are plenty of options for the grill master in your family.

LYNNFIELD

Hood Ice Cream, based in Lynnfield, announced some new flavors this month, just in time for summer.

The new flavors include introductions to the Hood Classic and New England Creamery Ice Cream lines as well as new Red Sox Novelties and Ice Cream Sandwich items. Hood's New England Creamery flavors continue the company's tradition of paying homage to its New England roots with locally inspired premium flavors such as Down East Double Fudge Brownie and Mt. Washington Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup. The new ice cream flavors are available in stores now, with the exception of New England Creamery Limited Edition Whoopie Pie, which makes its debut in June.

HP Hood and Brigham’s Ice Cream will serve 2,400 gallons of ice cream at the 30th annual all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, presented by FedEx, on June 5, 6 and 7 at Boston’s City Hall Plaza. One hundred percent of the ice cream, labor and scoopers are donated.

TEWKSBURY

The Trull Brook Golf Course and Tennis Center, 170 River Road in Tewksbury now has a liquor license.

Lorraine Trull, co-owner with her husband Roy also made improvements to the snack bar, changing its name to T's Bar and Grill and expanding its menu. Although Roy has worked at the course since he was a young boy, the couple has been the sole owners of Trull Brook for the past year and a half. For more, check out the story on Tewksbury Patch.

DANVERS 

Entertainment will be coming to Maple Street Tavern in Danvers. Dean Borders, owner and manager of the newly opened downtown eatery, appealed to the Selectmen for a five-day entertainment license that would allow for a three-piece band or DJ.  

Daily Harvest fans rejoice - the café is opening a second location in Danvers at Cherry Hill Office Park. The café promises a larger dining room and outdoor seating. For complete details, check out the Danvers Patch story.

PEABODY

Peabody's newest restaurant has been creating a buzz for years really, with fans of the original Salem establishment closely following the latest tidbits on the Route 1 development ever since it was first announced two summers ago.

The North Shore Mall food court will have a new tenant in June. Simon Malls announced Thai Grill will be moving in.