Santarpio's Pizza
East Boston, MA 02128-1937
Phone: (617) 567-9871
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Visconti Road
Editorial Review for Santarpio's Pizza – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
Locals, some of them of Italian lineage, flock to this local institution to soak up the atmosphere. Some posters and photographs hanging on the windowless wooden walls date back to the restaurant's days as an all-male establishment, serving slices for five cents apiece. Local characters sip at a long bar, while diners take a seat in wooden booths. Smoke from the grill intermingles with amiable chatter, Frank Sinatra tunes and the aroma of authentic, homemade Italian marinara. Friendly waiters snag any opportunity for a good wisecrack.
The Food
Pizza comes in one size: Large (12 inches). A small amount of cheese and lots of wonderfully sweet, fresh-tasting marinara cover a crust of medium thickness. The list of toppings sticks strictly to the basics. Charred lamb chunks and large, juicy pork sausages are surprising additions to the otherwise exclusive pizza menu, but customers love them as sides or appetizers.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe restaurant serves neither coffee nor dessert, so feel free to stuff yourself. Also, Santarpio's accepts cash only.
ParkingAs street signs reserving spots for residents make clear, parking is scarce in this East Boston neighborhood. Take the Blue line to the airport station instead.
User Reviews for Santarpio's Pizza
07/11/2008 Posted by Substantial
I'm a former New Yorker who now lives in Los Angeles where the are no good pizza joints. On a recent visit to Boston I asked my friend to take to a good pizza joint so he brought me to Santarpio's. The pie was outstanding. I loved the thin crust and the sauce. The sausage was was also very good. I loved the fact there were no frills, pizza in one size, either lamb or sausage and the decor was something out of the 1940's. There is no way a place like Santarpio's could even get an operating permit in sanitized Los Angeles. The service was fine up until the point where my friend informed the waiter I was a Yankee fan at which point the insults started to fly, not only from the waiter, but from other customers as well. It was all done in good taste and added to the experience. I will definitely go back the next time I am in Boston.
Pros: Outstanding Pizza, atmosphere
Cons: parking
03/19/2008 Posted by Sfgogs
I decided to try Santarpios as being a frequent traveler to Boston, I ate a Pizzeria Regina's a few years back and the pizza was amazing and the service was good. I kept hearing to try Santarpios last Saturday. I walked in and sat at the bar and proceeded to be ridiculed (side comments to his co-workers) by some young punk bartender. Obviously this young punk has the napolean complex, black wavy hair 5' 7" because he would never do it to your face. He even did this condescending Good Will Hunting routine where he would talk to his coworker so I could over hear him saying how one of the busboys was wicked smart and was at the top of his class at Harvard. Let me assure you that busboy barely made it out of middle school. The sad part is the main guy there "Lefty" tolerated this punk behind the bar which makes the environment unmaginable, which is why the service is bad there. Because Lefty let's these idiots behave however they want. Here it is in a nutshell. If you are a tourist or a non regular not leaving in or near East Boston, you are not welcome here. I also noticed that no women go here, probably because of the loud mouth behind the bar. The place is a dump, and the pizza is actually pretty tasty, (lots of garlic on the crust). But it certainly isn't amazing. I wouldn't return here in a million years. Seriously, if you are a tourist, stay away. Hey Lefty, I'll take a pizza and two sausages to go!!!!
Pros: Get the food to go
Cons: Service, behavior of staff, behavior of manager, don't bring women or children
Users Like You Also Viewed
Pizzeria Regina
11 1/2 Thacher St
Boston, MA 02113-1539
Dacoopa's
474 Saratoga St.
East Boston, MA 02128
