Kostas Pizza & Seafood in Needham Has Closed

A longtime eatery in the western suburbs of Boston that featured pizza along with Greek and Italian fare has shut down.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social, Kostas Pizza & Seafood in Needham is no longer in business, apparently closing its doors at the end of last week. The Chestnut Street dining spot had been in operation for approximately 30 years, offering such items as Greek salads, pizza, calzones, calamari, scallops, shrimp, gyros, Italian subs, chicken parmigiana, baked haddock, ziti and meatballs, eggplant Greek wraps, steak bombs, and more.

The address for the now-closed Kostas Pizza & Seafood was 315 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA, 02492.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Al's Cafe to Open on High Street in Boston's Financial District

Last week, it was reported that a local group of dining spots known for their subs would be opening a new location in downtown Boston, and now we have learned that yet another outlet is on its way to the downtown area as well.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Al's Cafe is planning to open in the city's Financial District, moving into the former U&D Kitchen space on High Street. As mentioned in an earlier article, another Al's will also be coming to School Street in Downtown Crossing (and it will apparently be called Al's School Street Cafe), with both new locations joining others on State Street and at the corner of Essex Street and South Street (both of which are also in the downtown area), as well as outlets in the Seaport District and in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge.

The address for the upcoming location of Al's School Street Cafe in the Financial District is 184 High Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for all locations can be found at at https://alscafes.com/

[Earlier Article]
Al's School Street Cafe Plans to Open in the Former Clover Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Al's School Street Cafe Plans to Open in the Former Clover Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

It looks like a local group of dining spots known for their subs will be opening a new location in the heart of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Al's School Street Cafe is planning to open in Downtown Crossing, taking over the space on School Street that had been home to a location of Clover, and this has been confirmed in a licensing hearing page within the city's website. Once it opens, the new location of Al's will join others on State Street and at the corner of Essex Street and South Street (both of which are also in the downtown area), along with outlets in the Seaport District and in Cambridge's Kendall Square.

The address for the upcoming location of Al's School Street Cafe is 27 School Street, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for all locations is at https://alscafes.com/

[Earlier Article]
Clover in Boston's Downtown Crossing Is Closing; New Location Is Being Planned Nearby

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Famous Pizza Opens in the Former Double G's Pizzeria Space in Braintree

A new pizza spot has come to the southern suburbs of Boston, moving into the space where another pizza place and sub shop had been for more than 60 years.

According to a source, Famous Pizza is now open in Braintree, taking over the former Double G's Pizzeria space on Grove Street. A check on the website for the business indicates that this is the third location of the eatery, with others being found in Brockton and Warwick, RI, and all spots offer pizza, calzones, salads, grinders/subs, grill items, pasta, and more.

Double G's dated back to 1960, offering such options as pizza, steak bombs, wings, burgers, and pasta dishes.

The address for Famous Pizza in Braintree is 303 Grove Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for all locations is at https://thefamouspizza.com/

[Earlier Article]
Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree Has Closed

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree Has Closed

A pizza place and sub shop in the southern suburbs of Boston that had been around for more than 60 years has shut down.

According to multiple sources along with an article from MassLive, Double G's Pizzeria in Braintree is no longer in business, with the article saying that the lease for the Grove Street eatery was not being renewed. Double G's, which first opened in 1960, was known in part for its pizza while also being a popular spot for steak bombs, wings, burgers, and pasta dishes as well.

The address for the now-closed Double G's Pizzeria was 303 Grove Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

My Brother's Place in East Arlington Has Closed

A longtime pizzeria and sub shop in the northwestern suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, My Brother's Place in East Arlington is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Broadway restaurant saying that it was "due to challenges beyond our control." My Brother's Place first opened 24 years ago, offering soups, salads, pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, hot and cold subs, wraps, club sandwiches, grill items, and more.

The address for the now-closed My Brother's Place in East Arlington was 181 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

O'Cheese Is Opening in Boston's North End

It looks like a new dining spot that focuses at least in part on takeout is coming to the North End of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, O'Cheese is seeking a common victualler license to open on North Street, moving into a space near the Lewis Street intersection. The notice mentions that the proposed eatery would be a "pizza and subs place" and would include a kitchen and dining area with a total of 10 seats. More should be known about the spot this week, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for O'Cheese is 261 North Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website is at https://ocheesepizza.com/

[November 20 update: According to a source, O'Cheese is now open, with its website showing such options as pizza, calzones, subs, panini, salads, pasta dishes, burgers, wings, and more.]

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Mighty Subs in Needham Is Closing

A sub shop in the western suburbs of Boston that has been around for more than 30 years is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mighty Subs in Needham is closing after business hours on July 28, with a picture of a note out front at the Highland Avenue spot indicating that the sub shop is "retiring." Mighty Subs, which first opened in 1990, has been known in part for their extra large subs while also offering such items as breakfast sandwiches, wings, meatball plates, chicken fingers, cheese sticks, fries, onions, and Greek salads.

The address for Mighty Subs is 250 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. The website for the sub shop can be found at http://mightysubs.com/

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Brothers Pizza & Restaurant in Needham Has Closed

A pizzeria and sub shop in the western suburbs of Boston has shut down after more than 25 years in business.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Brothers Pizza & Restaurant in Needham is no longer in operation, as it closed its doors late last week. The dining spot first got its start in 1997, offering Greek pizza, calzones, subs, pasta dishes, and grill items, with a few Greek dishes such as spinach pie, gyros, and grilled chicken on the menu.

The address for Brothers Pizza & Restaurant was 201 Reservoir Street, Needham Heights, MA, 02494.

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Dimino's Subs in Revere Is Closing

A decades-old sub shop just north of Boston is shutting down.

According to a couple of sources, Dimino's Subs in Revere is going to be closing its doors soon, with a post on the Old Revere Beach and Winthrop Memories Facebook group page talking about the upcoming closure of the Revere Beach Parkway spot. Dimino's first opened in 1969, offering such options as steak and cheese subs, Italians, chicken parmigiana, and Italian sausage, along with pasta dishes, burgers, steak tips, wings, and more.

The address for Dimino's Subs is 190 Revere Beach Parkway, Revere, MA, 02151. Its website can be found at https://diminosubs.business.site/

[June 26 update: According to its social media, Dimino's Subs is now closed, having shut down earlier this month.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop in Danvers Looking for New Home

A sub shop on the North Shore that has been in business for a long time is in need of a new home.

According to a source, Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop in Danvers has to leave its space on Hobart Street, with a Salem News article saying that its building is slated for demolition on October 1 as it will be one of a number of downtown addresses being replaced by the Maple Square Mixed Use Development. The post mentions that owner Peter Rakip said in a Facebook town page that "we have been told to turn our keys in and turn over the property to the developers," though the sub shop remains open for now while Rakip looks for a new home.

Betty Ann's first opened its doors back in the early 1950s.

The current address for Betty Ann's Sandwich Shop is 7 Hobart Street, Danvers, MA, 01923. Its website can be found at https://www.bettyannssubs.com/

[October 14 update: Our source tells us (via a Salem News article) that Betty Ann's is now planning to move to a new space at 20 Locust Street.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Sub Shops, Pizzerias Not Necessarily Immune to Dropoff in Business

While many restaurants in the Boston area and beyond that haven't been used to doing takeout/delivery have either completely shut down for now or have given it a shot with varying results, it might be assumed that places that have traditionally focused on takeout/delivery before the Coronavirus outbreak might be doing all right. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.

Based on information from various sources along with a story on WBZ 1030 News Radio, such takeout spots as sub shops and pizzerias are apparently not immune from the dropoff in business following Governor Charlie Baker's ruling last week to shut down restaurants except for takeout/delivery. WBZ gives an example in its story of a North Shore pizzeria that has seen a dropoff of approximately 40% of late, mainly because people are simply not going out or getting together in general, with the story mentioning that business has "dropped off a cliff" in the case of the pizza place. This jibes with what we have heard concerning other takeout spots such as sub shops in which people simply are not going out nearly as much, and while delivery is still busy in some cases, for many, business for takeout places is down in general.

For now, the restaurant shutdown remains in effect until April 6, though it is not known if that date will hold at this point in time.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Victor's Deli in Somerville's Ball Square Has Closed

A decades-old Italian spot in Somerville has shut its doors for good.

According to a source, Victor's Deli in the city's Ball Square neighborhood is no longer in business, with a licensing commission page indicating that Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast, which is located next door, may be expanding into the space. The Broadway eatery was known in part for its pizza slices and calzones, along with its hot and cold subs and its pasta dishes.

Victor's first opened back in 1982, according to its website.

The address for this now-closed dining spot in Ball Square was: Victor's Deli, 710 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[November 22 update: An Instagram post confirms that Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast will indeed be expanding into the former Victor's space.]

[March 9, 2020 update: According to an email, Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast has completed its renovations and has officially expanded into the old Victor's space.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Buccini's Mister Sub in North Quincy Has Closed

A sub shop and pizzeria in Quincy that has been in business for nearly 50 years has shut down.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Buccini's Mister Sub in North Quincy closes as of today, with the note saying that "For the last 3 years, so many obstacles led to the closure mainly finding a qualified work force that can properly serve our customers and meet their expectations." Buccini's first opened in 1972 and was taken over by its present owners in early 2018, with the post saying that when they took ownership of the place, it was "at the edge of closing."

Buccini's offered such items as pizza, calzones, wings, hot and cold subs, and pasta plates.

The address for this now-closed spot in North Quincy was: Buccini's Mister Sub, 64 Billings Road, Quincy, MA, 02171.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Santoro's Sub-Villa in Saugus Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A sub shop on the North Shore whose roots date back to the 1950s is getting ready to close its doors.

According to a message from @CappyinBoston Santoro's Sub-Villa in Saugus is shutting down, with a sign out front saying that the owners of the Essex Street shop are retiring and that its tentative closing date is February 3. Its website says that Santoro's first opened in Saugus in the 1950s, with "Santoro's Original Submarine Sandwiches" moving from one side of Essex Street to the other in 1960 and becoming Santoro's Sub-Villa; the shop moved back to its original location in 1991.

The address for Santoro's Sub-Villa is 259 Essex Street (by Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906. Its website can be found at https://www.santorossubvilla.com/

[February 4, 2019 update: A post from Boston's Wicked North Shore Facebook page indicates that Santoro's Sub-Villa will stay open a few more days, with its new closing date being Thursday, February 7 (at 4:00 PM), and the post also mentions that the shop is not open today.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Harry O's in Boston's South End Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a longtime pizzeria and sub shop in the South End of Boston is closing down, as its building appears to be slated for redevelopment.

According to a note sent by Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, it looks like Harry O's on Washington Street will be closing sometime around the end of the month, with the word being that the space in which both the shop and the adjacent Morse Fish Company reside could be seeing some kinds of changes or updates. Harry O's first opened more than 30 years ago, serving such items as pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, subs, grill items, and salads.

The address for this soon-to-close pizzeria and sub shop in the South End is: Harry O's, 1405 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at http://www.harryospizza.com/

[May 25 update: A message from Patrick Maguire states that Harry O's plans to close today.]

[Earlier Article]
Morse Fish Company in Boston's South End Is Up for Lease

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Stacia's Place in Salem Is Closing December 1

by Marc Hurwitz

A North Shore eatery that has been a local favorite for a long time is getting ready to shut down for good.

According to a Facebook post from Zachary Antczak of Notch Brewing, Stacia's Place in Salem is closing tomorrow (Friday, December 1) after 35 years in business. Another Facebook post on the restaurant's page confirms this, saying that an open house may also be taking place at the Bridge Street spot on Saturday, December 2.

Stacia's is known in part for its subs, including steak bombs, Italian bombs, turkey bombs, chicken parmigiana, Italian sausage, pepper and egg, and hot pastrami. The dining spot also offers soups, salads, wings, hot dogs, pizza rolls, and more.

The address for the soon-to-close Stacia's Place is 97 Bridge Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Boston-Area Dining Spots]

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Capri Pizza & Subs in Arlington Heights Is Closed Again

A suburban pizzeria that has been in business for a quarter century has closed once again, and it is not yet known if/when it may reopen.

A check on the place over the past several days indicates that Capri Pizza & Subs in Arlington Heights is locked up and dark, with posters within the Facebook page of The Arlington List confirming that it has been shuttered for awhile now--possibly for the past several weeks. No reason has been given for the closure of the Mass. Ave. spot, though there has been some chatter about why it may have closed; as soon as we get confirmation on what exactly has happened with Capri, we will post an update here.

Capri also quietly shut its doors in early March of 2016, but reopened a month later--apparently under new ownership--with the previous owner of the pizzeria appearing to offer to help in the reopening of the shop. The eatery first opened in the early 1990s, taking over what had been Charlie's Pizza.

The address for Capri Pizza is 1323 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[April 27 update: The Arlington Advocate mentions that the owner of Capri--Miltos Athanasopoulos--would need to complete a plan review process if he wishes to open it back up, noting that "it may have difficulty" doing so; the article says that the dining spot changed ownership last year without going through a proper plan review process at the time, and the town had asked Athanasopoulos to make some changes to the place after the ownership change, but at least some of these changes have still not been made.]

[Earlier Articles]
Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights Is Currently Closed; Exact Status Unknown
Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights Has Reopened

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Surya Indian Kitchen n Catering to Replace Village Grill & Seafood in Cambridge

A new Indian restaurant is planning to open in Cambridge, moving into the space where a sub shop, pizzeria, and seafood spot has been for nearly two decades.

A license commission general hearing agenda page with the city's website indicates that Surya Indian Kitchen n Catering has applied for a common victualler license to operate on Magazine Street in the Cambridgeport neighborhood, with the address indicating that it will be taking over the Village Grill & Seafood space. (It appears that Village Grill is now closed, as its phone number is out of service.) A check on Surya's website shows that it will offer gluten-free dishes, with most of its vegetarian entrees being vegan, though it will also have meat-based options including chicken tikka masala, lamb seekh kabab, and goat curry. The hearing for Surya will take place later today.

Village Grill & Seafood first opened in 1998, according to the Manta site.

The address for the new Surya Indian Kitchen n Catering (and Village Grill & Seafood) is 114 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Surya can be found at http://www.suryaindiancaterers.com/

[June 6 update: Eater Boston states that Surya Indian Kitchen is now open.]

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Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights Is Currently Closed; Exact Status Unknown

A pizzeria in the northwest suburbs of Boston that has been in business for nearly a quarter century is closed, and no one seems to know why and if/when it could reopen.

According to a number of sources, Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights has been locked up and dark for nearly a week, with multiple phone calls to the Mass. Ave, spot going directly to voicemail. We have reached out to people involved in local businesses and politics in the area this week but no confirmation as to the status of Capri has been given as of yet, though it has been confirmed that the shop recently came under new ownership.

Capri Pizza first opened in the early 1990s, taking over what had been Charlie's Pizza.

The address for Capri Pizza is 1323 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[March 23 update: A Facebook post from the daughter of the previous owners of Capri indicates that the pizzeria remains closed and that her father apparently wants to try to help reopen the place. It doesn't appear that the new owners have said anything about the closing on social media (the Capri page hasn't been updated since February 12), nor does there appear to be any response to the previous owner's wish to get the shop up and running once again. As soon as we receive more updates, we will post them here. (Ed note: A note within the Facebook page of The Arlington List indicates that the family that used to run Capri also runs Uncle Mickey's Place in Wilmington, which remains open.)]

[April 2 update: Capri remains closed, with no immediate signs of the place reopening.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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