Taco Bell hopes to ring in service until 3 a.m. in Maverick Square

The East Boston Times-Free Press reports that Taco Bell wants to make Maverick Square in East Boston the next home of one of its next-gen upscale-ish Taco Bell Cantinas - with a 3 a.m. closing time.

A franchisee currently has Boston permission for three Cantina operations - which extend the chain's traditional taco-like foodstuffs to vegetarian options and the decor to the more "contemporary." This includes one in Allston that can stay open until 3 a.m. on weeknights and 3:30 a.m. on weekend. There are two more of them in Brookline.

But this would be the first outlet in an area with a heavy concentration of Latino restaurants.

The Times-Free Press says the chain tried to reassure the owners of Maverick Square's more traditional Central and South American restaurants they have nothing to worry about from a Taco Bell Cantina at 10 Maverick Sq., in part because Taco Bell's offerings are not the same as theirs, but also because Taco Bell doesn't want to undercut them, just bring some "value, innovation, and marketing" to the square.

Before it can open, the new place and its hours would need permission from the Boston Licensing Board.