Amy's Pie Picks
Picco, a simple take on the traditional neighborhood pizza and ice cream parlor, offers a refreshing alternative to the South End’s more upscale dining options. The no-frills menu offers enticing pizzas (roasted garlic and mushroom is a standout), sandwiches, and salads at—extra! extra! read all about it!—reasonable prices. Pizzas are chewy and fired in a $30,000 specially designed oven, as is the better-than-homemade grilled cheese. The house-made ice creams are creamy and flavorful—most of the time (the sorbets tend to be icy). Still, at these prices, Picco is worth the gamble
513 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-927-0066
piccorestaurant.com
The original North End location has spawned 11 others across the country, but the original can’t be beat for the humorously brusque service or the thin crusts and tasty toppings on its brick-oven pies.
11 1/2 Thacher St.
Boston, MA 02113
617-227-0765
pizzeriaregina.com
Now in its fourth generation of pie-slinging, the Santarpio clan continues to draw pilgrims to its no-frills East Boston mecca. You can’t go wrong with homemade sausage links, followed by pie famous for their fresh-tasting sauce, gooey cheese, and cruncy crusts.
111 Chelsea St.
East Boston, MA 02128
617-567-9871
santarpiospizza.com
Trattoria Gran Gusto
Hidden in a residential neighborhood in North Cambridge, this little gem of a trattoria turns out some of the city’s finest pizzas (it doesn’t hurt that the chef is a Neapolitan native). Non-pizza standouts include homemade scialatielli pasta with shrimp and radicchio, risotto with asparagus and gorgonzola, and branzino with potato and black olives.
90 Sherman St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-441-0400
grangustocambridge.com