Who makes the best pizza in Boston?
Sorry, this post was removed by Reddit’s filters.
Archived post. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.
Sort by:
Best
Open comment sort options
Best
Top
New
Controversial
Old
Q&A
I'm a fan of Max and Leo's in Newton, if you like coal fired. Don't go to the Fenway joint, its run by zoo animals.
Ernesto's, Santarpio's, Regina's, Galleria Umberto.
Those are the 4 leaders. This sub will debate all day on which is the best. Each has it's virtue.
Basically if it doesn't end in "o's" or "a's" don't eat there.
Sbarro's
Nice.
Thanks for the chuckle!
Time to grab me a New York slice! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRgEeDR98X8
Oh my god...that's Tina Fey!
The Pleasant (Rozzy) and Pat's (Lower Mills/Dot) are my two votes and neither of these fit that rule of thumb.
I'm sorry, but Pat's is really not top-tier pizza. Very generic. Back in High School in the late 90's they switched Milton High's pizza day pizza from Papa Gino's to Pat's and we revolted to get it changed back.
Pat's is great for prepared meals though, like chicken-broccoli-ziti, etc.
Plus Marty Walsh lives down the street and goes in there for Chicken Pahm w/ light sauce.
That Pat's/Papa Gino's story is like level-3 townie lore. I love it.
it really happened too, ask anyone who graduated Milton High from like 98-2002
RIP Bianchi's,
The real GOAT.
Bianchi's still exists, it's at Renzo's now - they moved the original pizza oven from Bianchi's and everything.
If I can't walk up barefoot and get handed a 4 square foot slice of cheese with grease hot enough to melt steel beams, from a dude named Tony wearing an old KENO t-shirt, it's not Bianchi's and I don't fucken want it.
It's just not the same. The pizza is smaller and the dough is different.
/thread
Pino's in Cleveland Cirlce is tasty. Specifically a fresh pepperoni.
Owner, Noman is his name, is a gem. There' s an old Italian man there who's worked there for more than 50 years!
This guy knows. Tarps is where it's at
Ernestos? Like...the Ernestos in Assembly? That place is garbage
No like the original on Salem St. None of the Regina's locations have been able to replicate the magic of the oven on Thacher St. I imagine they are not the only business having replication problems.
I think the one off the pike in Allston comes pretty close. But, after that, all of the Regina’s are garbage.
oof
Pinocchio’s in Harvard sq
always liked them and Leone's for good Sicilian style
Leone's is lush and buttery. Pinocchio's has char. I prefer Pinocchio's but you really can't go wrong either way.
Had a slice of the spinach yesterday. Heaven.
That place is the bomb. I always forget about it then get thrilled to rediscover it.
hell fucking yes, such a gem
Ciao in Chelsea is by far the best in the area and is some of the best Neapolitan pizza I've ever had.
Underrated gem in the Boston area: Bocelli's in South Medford.
Ernesto’s in Salem St. in the North End
i don't think ernestos is all that good. The variety is great but the pizza is just average
No love for Brewer’s Fork in Charlestown?
I'm a fan. Some people get turned off by the bits of charred crust, but their Killer B and meatball are some of my favorites.
Who are these people? That is the best part, real fired oven authenticity.
This place was on the top of a pizza thread last year, or at least the most mentioned. My God, was it overrated and over priced.
Guess it depends what type of pizza you’re going for.
Totally agree. Most overrated pizza around. Shocked that it was even mentioned
Ernesto was awesome in the north end, leone's also amazing in Somerville.
Ernesto's in the North End!
Do they sell by the slice?
Another vote for Ernesto's! Plus their slices are nearly 1/4 of a pizza
They are 1/4 of a pizza. So technically two slices. They even cut the "slice" in half so you're literally getting two slices.
For me it’s Area 4 and Stoked. This is controversial in this sub but Regina’s is incredibly overrated and Santarpio’s is straight up bad. Boston really isn’t a pizza town like NY so don’t over-hype some of the well known places.
Stoked has some bomb wings too
Just tried Stoked for the first time this past weekend....my GOD that was delicious pizza. Definitely on the pricier side of things, but I found that it was worth every cent!
I like Regina's but I wholeheartedly agree on Santarpio's. Maybe I need to try it again but the one time I ate there it felt like I was eating a frozen pizza that they cooked in a regular pizza oven.
Area 4 is so good. Best I’ve had up here but I’m extremely partial to the style they make there.
They closed the one in Union Square down. The waitress there was mean to me, but that's a different story. THeir pizzas were great. They did a "slow-rise" for the dough which takes like 2 days, IIRC. They were costly, however.
Santarpio’s is garbage
It’s okay to be wrong
Speaking of over-hype - NY's pizza is over hyped.
Nah. It's in the sauce.
Hard disagree
Comment deleted by user
Lol
I like Ciao in Chelsea personally.
Chelsea*
whoops yes Chelsea!
Okay, this doesn't answer your question but here's a hill I will die on: I prefer cheap New England "Greek/House of Pizza" style pizza to brick oven or New York Style pizza.
That's a tiny hill, more of a little bump, really.
Feel like people get extremely offended at the suggestion that pizza from Da Big City New York Greatest City In Da World isn't the best.
Also Bostonians seem to get pretty defensive about Reginas.
It's a fairly safe opinion. Generally, people won't end friendships over pizza debates - especially if you're picking up the tab.
Pizza's such a good food that someone has to go out of their way to make it poorly. I've seen that done once when the place did a cracker-style crust pizza, which annoyed me.
House of - style can is usually good, just not usually great. If someone doesn't like the charred crust, they would not like thin NYC style.
Now if you want a real pizza argument, bring up pineapple. Now, you'll get a debate.
Ah see I think the regional pizza styles are a much more interesting debate that pineapple on pizza.
I appreciate this caliber of pizza, what're your favorites in Boston?
When I lived in Allston I always went for Big Daddy's. In the Northeastern neighborhood it's definitely Boston House of Pizza.
Pleasant Pizza, Roslindale.
https://www.nbcboston.com/multimedia/Vote-for-the-Best-Pizza-Shop-in-the-Boston-Area--476837843.html
* Pleasant Cafe
Ehh its good but doesnt compare to the other ones
It's all personal preference.
There's no way its the best pizza in boston
In my opinion it is. But you are obviously welcome to have your own.
Italian Express in Eastie makes great pizza, has booze and it’s not overrun like the other more popular joints.
Shhh
Thank god, I live on Sumner and will always go to Italian Express over Santarpio’s
How has no one mentioned Florina by the State House?
A hidden gem
Pizza Regina in the North End and Penguin Pizza in Brigham Circle.
The Bird with Bacon. mmmm
Italians
It's going to sound like a joke, but New York Pizza (next to The Tam, near the Boylston green line stop) is pretty good. It'll feel like a NY pizzeria, because they have a bunch of different specialty pies behind the counter where you can get slices.
That being said, Ernestos also has that and imo is better.
Comment removed by moderator
Don't go to the one in Faneuil Hall
Or on Boylston.
im gonna go against the grain and say the one in station landing medford is pretty legit, feels like its much closer to the original and am always satisfied with their pies
Everyone knows that the sit-down reginas (like in Allston and Medford) are way different from the trash locations in malls and Faneuil hall that are the same quality as sbarro.
yea i think they need some love, should be clear its the mall reginas which basically arent real reginas its just branding, that are trash. glad to hear the medford spot is in the fold. love stopping in there for a slice and a peroni
Yep, the one in Allson was pretty nice.
Have had Pizza twice over there and I would rate my experience as a 5/5 and 4/5.
The south station reginas is a just sad though.
Why?
What's the deal with Santarpio's? Got a cheese pizza there and the middle of it was just huge puddle of grease. Is that their thing or did I just get a bad pie?
People like Santarpio's because of its heritage and history. I heard they make good lamb too but never had it.
I don't like Santarpio's, their crusts are too crusty.
No such thing.
Santarpios is weird. You need a knife and fork to eat the first couple slices. I can understand why people don't like it, but it's my favorite. I would never order a cheese pie though, even though I consider that the best way to judge a pizza place. Try a sausage, jalapeno and garlic one.
Upper Crust is bad yuppie pizza. Also, echoing that Santarpio's isn't good. Basically the only decent one on your list is the original Reginas.
I'm not sure which Upper Crust my Financial District office got their pizza from but it was consistently so bad that it led to an office riot against the poor office manager
Comment deleted by user
It really isnt
Some like it.
You've clearly never had Lefty's grilled meat.
We're talking about pizza, my dude. But yes, their tips are pretty good.
Yeah, for me it's Santarpio/Regina >>>>>>>>>>>>> everything else
I don't get why Figs doesn't get more love. Is it because its more flatbread than pizza? Or maybe that its a bit on thee epensive side? Either way, I think Figs is probably the best pizza in the city, they use the best ingredients and the crust is awesome.
No Ernesto's? Booo
Did someone buy the Upper Crust name (and business), or is this a completely new operation?
I've been loosely following this saga over the years. Looks like the original wage thief himself and a company he's affiliated with own the brand/stores now.
Thank you. When all of that hit the fan, it became clear that there was something pretty seriously wrong with the company. The stories going around about hiring (and ill treating) illegal immigrants were pretty nasty. It was bad enough that our entire company refused to buy from them again. Sad that the company administration hasn't really changed.
I’m so confused about your upper crust comment. They were all owned by the same people? And the pizza at the Charles street location is/was the same as all the other locations (even the closed ones) last time I checked
Mama Gina's in Union Sq somerville. Been going there for years and they have always treated everyone like family in there.
Frank Pepes in Chestnut Hill mall makes a delicious pie. Not typical Boston pizza but its great.
Go a little north to rt 1 Saugus and get Angela's coal fired pizza and wings. So good.
Since I didn't see anyone else mention these, here are a few more good pizza places that aren't technically in Boston proper but still accessible via public transport.
Brighton House of Pizza
T Anthony's Pizzeria on
BrooklineComm Ave near BULa Befana Pizzeria in Allston
They're all in Boston-Proper.
Civics Fail.
LA Befana is king. T Anthony's is on comm Ave, bu campus, Boston. Not Brookline. Unless there's another one in Brookline.
My bad, fixed.
Thoughts on Little Pizza King?
I get chicken parm plates or subs from them a lot, not bad. Brickhouse is pretty close though and is similar and better.
Respect for the Brickhouse nod! Their prices per plate proportions are top-notch. Shame they're not open Sundays.
And a few others not mentioned that I enjoyed a lot, even if not perhaps the best in town:
Il Mondo - one location by Berklee, another by Brigham Circle
Worden Hall - they have the only deep dish pie I’ve found in Boston, and I quite enjoyed it. I’ve seen some hate for the place in this subreddit, but I had a great bartender when I went and the drinks and pie were great
What do you understand “Boston proper” to mean?
Not to pile on, but literally all three of these are in Boston...
Personally I like Ernesto's the best.
Casa Razdora.
Most people go for the sandwiches, but their pizza is the most NYC Italian style I have found.
Pinky in Medford makes a fire pizza. Very underrated place.
Otto and The Upper Crust for me, but some people won't like them.
Regina's in the North End was Trip Advisor's Best Pizza of 2018.
It was pizza, nothing mind-blowingly good.
Ciao Bella - in Chelsea
Frank Pepe
Eataly
Gran Gusto
Pinnochio
Pinos in Cleveland Circle
Antico Forno
Buffalo chicken pizza by College Pizza in Queensburry, Fenway
Props for mentioning buffalo chicken pizza. It is one of the greatest things ever :)
Did you try it out? Dude, people shit on me when I recommend this but this is genuinely the best "discovery" I've made with regards to food in Boston. That place is open till 3 am, the pizza tastes best after couple of cold brewskis but it is the BOMB. Glad you enjoyed it :)
I usually get it from Inbound Pizza in Allston. It is awesome.
I'll try it out this weekend! The pizza right?
Also, if you like sandwiches, the "Game of Thrones" sandwich at our college (northeastern) grocery is THE BEST I've had all my life.. Worth a visit if you stay nearby!
Chicken does not belong on pizza! Pork (and its derivatives) is the only meat that should grace a pie!
Did our savour 'Lord Jesus' whisper these words in your ears?
Lord Pizza, maybe?
You want NYC pizza?
Armandos
Pinos
Regina
Umberto's
A few lower contenders:
Upper Crust
Dirty Water
You want frozen dough with as many toppings as you see fit for you to feel like you're getting a deal? Tends to be the style that many people like outside of NYC.
Anything else listed here.
Brown Jug in Chelsea
Pizzeria Regina!!!!
Otto! Plus the one in Coolidge Corner has a good beer list.
I don't know why Otto gets hate here. It's mad good.
I live above an Otto's and my hallway literally always smells like pizza. I love it.
If you like Otto I'd recommend Stoked which is a little farther down Beacon in Washington Square. Plus if you like beer they have a good selection of their own and are right by Publick House which has some of the best beer selections in the Boston area.
Stoked is awesome
I’m actually just stanning for Otto. I work there and I order all the beer. 🤷🏻♂️
Ernesto’s in North End for sure but I loved Venice pizza in Savin Hill growing up
Brookline Spa has awesome Buffalo chicken and chicken bacon ranch slices.
Ok...so this is a black horse pick, But i really really love the Pizza at Casey's in Somverille
Union square pizza on Washington Street!
What type of pie are you looking for? More like a NY Slice or authentic neapolitan ?
Not anyone is going to mention Supremes on Mass Ave??
I rate Pizza Roma in Watertown highly. It's a takeout only place run by a family. My friend, who's originally from NYC and now lives here, said that this was the best "NYC style" pizza he's had in Boston in the six years he's lived here.
The comments on this post made me go to Ernesto's. I wasn't impressed??? Lack of flavor in my opinion. 😥
Yes. It is awesome
Buffalo chicken slices at Il Mondo. Used to be on Huntington near MCPHS but I heard they might have moved?
Galleria Umberto
Alfredo's is sneakily the best delivery pizza, and there's like 10 locations. Not to be confused with Pizza by Alfredo- fuck that place
r/bostoncirclejerk
Lincoln Tavern in Southie!
Lincoln isn't even the best pizza in Southie.
Me
What's the name of that place in Brockton that closed down recently?
A4 imo
Boston is not a pizza town. You're not going to find anything like the equivalent of a good, cheap New York slice.
Not since Hi-Fi closed.
Fucking shit, RIP Hi-Fi. Glorious, drunken post-Middle East concert grease.
man, you're making me nostalgic
I personally preferred Bravo as the best shitty post-show slice, but I had better memories at Hi-Fi
Nothing complimented the belly full of a Red Death from ManRay like a slice from Hi-Fi.
In my mind the memory of both places still haunts the Clover and Condos that replaced them both.
nobody ITT has mentioned All Star Pizza Bar yet and i feel it's doing this thread a disservice. get the miss piggy's fig pizza, holy shit.
that place blows
I've tried tons of pizza places here and I can say that I have not enjoyed any of them. I actually prefer digorno to any pizza place in Boston.
Woof. That’s nuts. I guess it depends on what kind of pizza you like. I love woodfired personally Stoked in Brighton, Bambolina in Salem, Wood + Fire in Melrose all have tasty wood fired pizza. (Granted two are not in Boston area)
New York Pizza in the South End makes a great slice. For some reason their Theater District location just isn't as good.
🤮🤮🤮🤮
It’s decent slice, but I’ve been in the kitchen and basement and it’s now on my last resort list
Pizzeria Regina in South Station is #1. And the two women who work the counter are always very nice. Plus, you get to eat pizza that was made about 50 yards from a locomotive
Boston pizza absolutely sucks compared to NYC or the tristate area in general. Better off embracing a local specialty like roast beef or steak tips because you aren't ever gonna fill that pizza void.
Dragon pizza in Somerville....i drive 30 min each way for it occasionally its really good pie.
I like Upper Crust in the South End.
Santarpio's
Regina's North End
Picco
Upper Crust
Penguin Pizza
Most Pizza in Boston is garbage but those are the best in no particular order.
Comment deleted by user
if you want sicilian, Umberto's is the only choice
Comment deleted by user
Comment deleted by user
Comment deleted by user
Comment deleted by user
Comment deleted by user
Honestly, I do. I have my own dough and use a scorching hot charcoal grill outside. It always has just the right amount of toppings and exactly the toppings I want.
But if you have to buy your own - Santarpio's and Kelly's Pub in East Boston are my favorites.