Massachusetts: Where To Get Great Hawaiian Food In The Boston Area

I'm an enthusiastic foodie, and I thought I had experienced it all. But recently I was introduced to a new cuisine flavor that nearly knocked me off my chair. We may be over 5,000 miles from Hawaii, but you can still find great Hawaiian food in Boston.

I went to a restaurant last weekend that specifically served "Hawaiian Street Food." Hawaii Magazine and Serious Eats say that items such as Huli Huli Chicken, which is a Hawaiian style barbeque, Musubi, Garlic Shrimp, and Poke as items that are traditional to this cuisine. And I will tell you that they qualify as must-try items if it is your first experience.

"Hawaiian food culture incorporates ingredients and inspiration from all over the world, adapting them to the island way of life," Serious Eats explained.

The flavors are distinct in such a menu. There's fantastic blend of sauces, spices, and even citrus tones. Serious Eats also explained how the best restaurants that feature Hawaiian foods are often cooking up items that are frequently eaten by local residents on the islands. They describe them by saying their "roots tie islanders back to Asian food cultures, the bites that present the bounty of the surrounding sea in its freshest form, and those beachside snacks that embody the idea that everything tastes better outdoors."

At the street food establishment I visited we shared orders of these classics, Shoyu ahi poke bowl with seaweed salad, garlic shrimp, Chicken Katsu with grilled pineapple, and garlic white wine buttered Mahi Mahi.

They played relaxing Hawaiian music; the sweet sounds of the ukulele made you feel as if you were sitting on the beach under a palm tree eating these delicious items while a light breeze came through.

Wondering if this meal option could become a regular in my routine, I immediately began researching if this cuisine was properly available in the area.

While there are certain franchises that do touch upon these flavors and certain menu items, here we will dive into more authentic places that are not chains.

Waikiki in Somerville has the Hawaiian vibe from the second you walk in the door. The décor includes a lot of floral patterns and a surfboard on the wall. Here, you can create your own bowls or grab a fresh order of coconut shrimp rolls. This restaurant also offers a wide range of fresh fruit tea drinks. They are located at 27 Holland St.

Staying in Somerville, Manoa also cooks up some traditional Hawaiian dishes. They allow you to try multiple things with mix plates and make your own bowls. Their signature rainbow logo also represents well on the various merch items you will see for sale, including a beach towel. Manoa is located at 300 Beacon Street.

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.