Settling The Harvard Square Pizza Debate, And The Winner Is…

I spent two days this Memorial Day weekend among the masses in Cambridge, with Boston Calling upon us. While here, I took it upon myself to settle the Harvard Square pizza debate once and for all. There was only one way to do this. Eat a lot of pizza.

Let me first set the stage. It's proper we acknowledge the iconic establishment that is Pinocchio's Pizza at 74 Withrop Street first. For over 50 years this establishment has been serving up fresh and hot pizza to the neighborhood. Known for their great Silicilan style, they've also long been a favorite of Mark Zuckerberg, who often spoke of how often he ate here while creating Facebook as a Harvard student. In fact, Zuckerberg's recent 40th birthday party included a replica of Pinocchio's being built.

Since 1966, this pizza restaurant has been a standard in Harvard Square. Then, this past September Joe's Pizza opened up shop at 3 Brattle St. If you are unfamiliar, Joe's is a legendary pizzeria out of New York City. They offer large New York-style slices without a ton of frills. Just consistent and tasty quality pizza.

These two places are a stone's throw from each other. We're talking .3 miles, one left turn and one right turn. So, let's say the bars are getting out and you're making your way home. Or you're just on the hunt for a great lunch slice. Which one are you choosing? It's great problem to have.

Do you go with which one is closer and most convenient? Or perhaps you just stick with the place you are partial to. Or you might be in the mood for one particular style over another.

Well, someone had to roll up their sleeves and put the two head-to-head in the same day. While I acknowledge and have also tried other establishments like OTTO and Toscano, Pinocchio's and Joe's are arguably on another level.

I stopped at Joe's first. This was intentional. I have eaten Pinocchio's dozens of times, and I truly love it. In fact, I consider it one of my favorite pizza places in all of the greater Boston area.

However, I grew up right outside of New York City and lived in Manhattan for seven years. The original Joe's downtown is often my answer when asked what my favorite pizza on the planet is. There's something different about the original spot though. While Joe's other locations (which are newer) are still great, the Broadway hole-in-the-wall can't be matched. So, I had to see what Joe's is like in Boston now.

It was my first time at their Harvard Square shop, and I admit it did look like a bit of a tourist attraction. They have a great corner location, and the doors were kept wide open. I opted for no toppings, just the original cheese pizza. If you are going to be an all-star pizza restaurant, you have to hit the plain cheese slice out of the park.

Joe's in Harvard Square hit it at least to the warning track. Don't get me wrong, the slice was fantastic. If it was in my south shore town, it would be the best pizza in town. It just fell victim to not being close to as good as what they are cooking in New York. The slice had crunch, which was important. There certainly was no lack of cheese either. To be picky, there was just a bit too much crust, or at least more than I recall they tend to have in New York.

Next, I get to Pinocchio's where you have to turn the tight corner and pull open the small door yourself. It had been a full year since I'd been there, but you walk up that step and get hit with that old-school pizzeria charm immediately. You have to navigate the tight corners to get to the ordering counter. Again, I went with cheese only, but in their classic Sicilian style.

It was just as consistently delicious as it always is. The sauce is a bit sweet, and no matter how long they heat up your pizza, they always seem to know the exact moment to hand it to you so that it is perfectly hot (but not burn-your-mouth hot). The flavor this weekend was the same flavor I got hooked on as a college student (surprisingly, no I did not go to Harvard).

The results are in.

And still the heavyweight champion of the world...

Pinocchio's it is. I love Joe's Pizza still. In fact, if I was craving just a thin traditional NY-style slice, I would go to Joe's. For great Harvard Square pizza in general though, I just can't pass up Pinocchio's. It is consistently simple and delicious with its signature flavors each and every time. It also contains a more authentic overall experience.

Let's put it this way: it's the place I ordered extra to bring home and save for another time because it's just that hard to find around here.

Perhaps my scoring will be different in the future. I'll pencil in another round to occur next year in conjunction with my Boston Calling agenda. I'm happy for any establishment to take on the defending champion. But right now, Pinocchio's will be hard to beat.

Boston Calling 2024 is officially underway. The first bands of this three-day festival have taken the stage and there are already lines at the merchandise tents. Here is a look at some of the unique Boston Calling merch items for this year, available at the main purchase stands.

Each year over Memorial Day weekend, Boston Calling rocks the Harvard grounds. Like most festivals, they always design their own merch for the annual occasion. Their bulldog logo stands out. It has become a familiar face synonymous with this event. It’s then placed upon your typical concert merch stand items like hoodies, caps, posters, and t-shirts. However, Boston Calling does a great job of freshening up the bulldog. This has resulted in new popular designs for each year’s festival.

2024 is no exception. Although the standard red, blue, and gold colors have remained, new patterns have now entered the space.

Boston Calling headliners include Ed Sheeran (Friday), Tyler Childers (Saturday), and The Killers (Sunday) to close it out. Leon Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Renee Rapp, Trey Anastasio, The Revivalists, and Young The Giant are among the other performers not to be missed.

Each of these artists has merch available on the festival grounds. It’s important to note, the headliners' merch is available all weekend. Meaning that, although The Killers are playing Sunday, their shirts can be purchased today (while supplies last).

Are you worried about holding all this new gear for the duration of the day and night? Fear not; lockers are available to rent (while supplies last). There’s an official Boston Calling app and a QR code you can snap to give you a mobile map in the palm of your hand.

Lastly, the festival FAQ states, “Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6" x 9" or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket. All other bags larger than 6" x 9" must be smaller than 12" x 6" x 12" and clear.”

Let’s take a further look at some of the Boston Calling 2024 merch items you may be storing, sporting, or purchasing during the weekend.

Again, these are available all weekend. Each of them seem to promote the given album or tour the artist is on. Hozier and the Killers seem to have the largest variety of items available. Tyler Childers has the best hat collection for sale, from truckers to rope hats.

New this year, there are few options of custom Boston Calling hats. My preference in comfort is the green one that I am also wearing in the image at the top of this article. This year's silkscreen poster contains the names of all the artist. There is one poster for sale. The Harvard basketball jersey is a nice addition to the lineup, sporting the #24. Perhaps its a nod the graduation that occurred here earlier in the week.

The lineup 2024 t-shirt comes in an all black option or tie-dyed. Both are the same with the logo on the front and lineup on the back. There are two water bottles. One is yellow and the other is the signature festival colors of blue and red.

Have there ever been Boston Calling shorts? Well, they have them this year. While they've certain had sweatpants in the past I don't recall the branded short flying out of the brown boxes as quickly as they are this year. Perhaps the beautiful 80-degree day has something to do wit that. As usual, there are also a nice array of custom 2024 festival t-shirts. The bomber jacket is a stylish dark green, and of course the dog head logo is everywhere.