2 South Shore Bar Pizza Favorites Are Now Selling Their Yummy Frozen Pizzas

One truth remains constant for South Shore residents – bar pizza is life!!!!!  And there's a new trend sizzling in the ovens of popular pizza joints along the coastline. The South Shore is now embracing vacuum-sealed freezer pizzas, and it's not just Cape Cod Cafe Pizza leading the charge.

Back in 2011, Cape Cod Cafe foresaw the frozen future. They were the first South Shore local company (that I can remember seeing) that sold their vacuum-sealed pizzas in the frozen food aisles in grocery stores. For years, it seemed they would be the lone pioneers in this frosty frontier. Little did we know, the concept was about to gain some serious steam.

A few months ago I visited Johnny Kono's Bar & Grill in Weymouth. I have been a fan of their pizzas for many years so I was excited to see that they offered a frozen pizza. They brought a couple of them out from the freezer for me to see. The first thing I noticed was that their pizzas were not "laced." Laced pizzas are a popular thing in the South Shore bar pizza scene. It's when the chef laces the edges of the metal pizza pan with pizza sauce before putting the dough on it. As it cooks, the edges become burnt and full of flavor. To me, laced pizzas are the way to go. It elevated the taste to a whole new level.

But just a "warning" to those who buy a frozen Johnny Kono's pizza. Their pizzas are not "laced." Some people prefer the simplicity of a pizza. And if you are one of those people, just step inside the bar and ask for their frozen treasures to go!

Next Page Cafe is also gracing the pizza scene in Weymouth. But they've taken a bit of a different approach than Johnny Kono's. At Next Page, there's a pizza freezer that customers can open up and pick out the pizzas themselves and then bring it to the register to pay. Right now, you can choose between cheese and pepperoni. After talking with owner, Eddie Page, he says that they plan on selling pizzas topped with meatballs and others topped with chicken parmasean.

Next Page Cafe also differs from Cape Cod Cafe and Johnny Kono's pizzas because their frozen pizzas come with "laced edges." With these pizzas you can take the exciting taste of the burnt laced edges home with you! So if you like that style of pizza, Next Page Cafe would be the place to buy them!

Why the sudden shift to the frozen frontier, you ask? Both Johnny Kono's Bar & Grill and Next Page Cafe are looking to pepper their revenue streams with a sprinkle of something new. By offering their loyal pizza patrons the option to enjoy their favorite slices at home, these establishments are not just serving food; they're serving convenience and innovation.

The big question lingering in the air like the aroma of a freshly baked pizza – will these South Shore pizza joints venture into the grocery store aisles? It's a cheesy mystery that only time will unfold. For now, the only way to snag these frozen delights is to head to the source, whether it's Johnny Kono's or Next Page Cafe for a taste of elegance. What we do know though, is pizza is not just a meal; it's a lifestyle, and now it's more accessible than ever.

I'm a guy who moved from New Jersey to Boston; growing up, Sicilian pizza was pretty easily available. I incorrectly assumed that all Americans enjoyed this kind of pizza selection. However, when I moved to Boston, I realized that it's much harder to find that delicacy here. But there are also a few unique places that are cooking up Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts.

As an expert on Sicilian, I will tell you that it has to be prepared properly in order for it to be worth the calories. Here, I will detail three establishments where you can find great Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts. Sure, you may have to travel a bit, but these places are worth your time.

Before we cut into this delicious style of pie, let’s define our terms. Traditional Sicilian pizza is cut into square or rectangular-shaped slices. The crust is thicker and crunchy. Though this pizza is obviously heavier, it still can be topped with your favorite pizza add-ons. A sprinkle of oregano is a subtle but often important finishing.

Though strip pizza in Rhode Island is similar, one significant difference with Sicilian is that it is not baked on a focaccia style dough. In fact, Palermo Pizza NJ defines what distinguishes Sicilian Pizza and what makes it different from regular pizza. “The dough rises differently with this kind of crust because more oil is used in the recipe as opposed to a regular pizza crust recipe,” they said, when describing how this is made in a rectangular pan.

In Massachusetts, the three locations that are serving up great Sicilian Pizza are quite different from each other, but have this menu item in common. One of them happens to be a favorite of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Tucked into a quaint New England, Harvard Square street, Pinocchio's is where you need to go if you want Sicilian pizza of all varieties. It's also where you will see Mark Zuckerberg's photo all over the wall. This was the go-to spot for Zuck while he was attending Harvard. In fact, it's a place he still makes sure to stop into when in town. As for the pizza, there are 20 different toppings you can find atop the hot Sicilian pies. These pies come in a 9-slice or 15-slice size option. The 15-slice pie comes in two boxes and can feed up to nine people. During the school months, Pinocchio's stays open until 2 am on weekends.

At 289 Hanover Street in the North End of Boston, Umberto's can be easy to miss. However, once you recognize their old-school sign, you know you are in for a treat. They are old-school: it is a cash-only establishment where the large trays of piping hot Sicilian pies are continuously served. Typically, it's cheese only, but you will not be disappointed as no other flavor is needed. The single line usually reaches the door, but it moves quickly. It also gives you time to decide which arancini (their famous rice ball) you'd like to add to your order.

Leone's Pizza and Sub has been family-owned and operated since 1954. They are located right on Broadway and open seven days per week, from 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Their Sicilian pizza is the standard menu option here. It is available by the slice, in a half tray or full tray. The whole tray also comes in two boxes (16 slice) and costs $40. Their Sicilian pies also come in a tomato basil option and a spinach and garlic. Leone's sub menu contains over 30 options. This includes a fried meatball sub.

Right in the heart of Cleveland Circle, Pino's is a fan-favorite of Boston College students. Though the crust is a perfect combination of pillow and crunch, the secret here is actually in the sauce. Pino's describes it as "delicious, garlicky tomato sauce with in-house seasoning, cooked on a pan." $20 gets you nine Sicilian slices at Pino's. If you want to add variety to your order, they also have alfredo pies, white pies, and buffalo chicken. Like Pinocchio's, Pino's stays open until the early morning hours on the weekend to help accommodate the college crowd.