Pizza. We all love it, don’t we? But what is truly the best kind of pizza? Here at the Pizza Connoisseurs, we are in agreement that one slice is better than the rest: the mighty Sicilian slice. With this in mind, we set out to find the best Sicilian slice in Boston. Here are our results.
The first spot we have is a Cambridge institution: Pinocchio’s Pizza. Located just a few blocks from Harvard Square, it has been serving Harvard and the surrounding area since 1966. Upon entering the shop you immediately feel like you have entered a time capsule. Posters cover the walls with celebrities who have visited, taking you back to their first bite. When you finally grab your slice and dig in, you will immediately feel satisfied. The sauce and cheese and focaccia-like bread blend perfectly. You can see why this place has been loved for many generations; it’s a quality slice that you can count on.
Enzo’s Pizza Pie, a newcomer to the Sicilian pizza game with a spin on the standard shop, is a pop-up store that has been open once a month since June 2020. It is run through and pops up at the Clover Food Labs in Inman Square, providing vegetable-forward local ingredients. Something especially important about this spot is reserving your pie in advance, due to the fact that it’s not open day to day. You must get a pie, since there is no option for slices. The pie itself is very rich with a thick chewy crust and a very rich taste: the taste of the fresh local tomato sauce with the “neo-sicilian” crust and provolone cheese. If you have a free Saturday and are near Inman, don’t hesitate to reserve a pie and stop by!
Galleria Umberto, the most authentic slices around. Founded in 1974, Galleria Umberto is a hole-in-the-wall spot frequented by locals. Formerly a church, it is now one of the best places in the city for a slice. The location is cash only and only open from 10:45 p.m. – 2 p.m., closed on Sundays, so you have to plan in advance if you want to go. You can count on Italian men arguing and an overall relaxed vibe. Slices are only $2.25, an incredible deal for what you are getting. Huge fresh sheet pans of pizza sit on the counter when you arrive. The slices perfectly encapsulate the environment, a quality slice with the ideal thickness of crust and ratio of tomato sauce and cheese. This place is truly one of a kind, from the environment to the slices, and it’s a place you have to go to experience.
We the pizza connoisseurs would strongly recommend that you check out one of these places across your years in Boston. However, one stands above the rest: Galleria Umberto is without a doubt the best Sicilian slice in Boston, and well worth the journey to get there. Send us your pizza places to review!
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This article also appears in our January 2024 print edition.
