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Boston Build-Your-Own Pasta Bar Set To Open

Author Jeff Gorra

When you hit a local salad bar or deli, part of the attraction is that you get to design the meal that you are craving. Start with a base, add a few tasty toppings, and then smother it in some sauce. That’s exactly what is happening in the pasta world in Boston, with a build-your-own-pasta-style restaurant about to open.

BE Pasta Bar is located at 1026 Commonwealth Ave., in Brookline, a stone’s throw from Boston University. Boston Uncovered reported that this establishment opened on March 1st. Furthermore, they describe BE Pasta Bar as “a fast-casual spot serving authentic build-your-own pasta bowl made with ingredients and equipment imported from Italy and Greece.”

Pasta Bar Menu

When you walk into BE Pasta Bar, you can expect to choose from a variety of dishes. First, you’ll start with noodles. Then, you’ll add favorites such as meatballs. Finally, this is all accompanied by a sauce.

Over a phone call, owner Billy Axiotis tells me the noodle options will be ziti, spaghetti, campanelle and fusilli. Homemade meatballs, roasted chicken, fried eggplant, vegetables and pancetta will be available to mix in. As for your sauce options, guests can choose between a marinara red sauce, alfredo, pesto, lemon garlic and a weekly special.

Writer’s Build-Your-Own Pasta Pick

I’m putting myself back in the shoes of a hungry college student. It’s Sunday afternoon, and I just rolled out of bed about an hour ago. I knock on my neighbor’s dorm door in my favorite sweatpants and we roll down the street to BE Pasta Bar. It’s the highlight of the day, and most likely our single budgeted meal. It’s time to load up on some Sunday gravy, and then most likely head back upstairs. From there I envision planting  onto the couch, and telling my roommates about this amazing pasta cup I just devoured. Here is what my order would be.

  • Noodle selection – spaghetti. It’s all about the twirl.
  • Topping selection – meatballs, grated cheese, basil.
  • Sauce selection – marinara.

Nothing outrageous here. My thought process is to go simple and basic. In order for the specialties to be considered, I need the classic option to be a home run. It also fits the comfort food model I am going for in my delightfully sounding hypothetical Sunday.

4 Great Places To Find Sicilian Pizza In Massachusetts

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.

What Is Sicilian Pizza?

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.

  • Pinocchio's Pizza - Cambridge

    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.

  • Galleria Umberto - Boston

    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.

     

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  • Leone's - Somerville

    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.

    Authentic New York style Sicilian pizza in pan

    Stock Photo/Getty Images

  • Pino's Pizza - Brighton

    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.

    A square Sicilian slice of pizza with basil on top. White background.

    Stock Photo/Getty Images

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
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