The Best South Shore Bar Pizza

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

The South Shore is home to quite a few Bar Pizza joints. I'm wondering if there are any out there that I'm missing? What's your favorite, where is it, why do you like it?

Following up from a previous Christos thread, here are my favorites:

1) Poopsies- Pembroke/marshfield line- terrible name, great pizza. Super crispy crust and cheddary cheese blend. Expect to wait 45-1 hour if you go on a weekend night. It's a time warp, which most of the good bar room pizza places are, but it's dark, comfortable, and just feels like a place where you should drink a pitcher of beer and eat a bar room pizza.

2) Venus Cafe- Whitman- thin crust that is sometimes a bit underdone but it's better than any other pizza within a 5-10 mile radius. It's a brick building and there are no windows; that should tell you everythign you need to know about the atmosphere.

3)Lynwood Cafe- Randolph- No secrets here. Everyone that knows bar pizza has had one.

4) Cape Cod Cafe- Brockton- a thicker bar room pizza crust. I like the large slices of pepperoni. It's an old restaurant with an updated bar/dining room. Emma's aside, it may be the most "modern" of all the places on this list.

5) Alumni Cafe- Quincy- very good product but would pick the 4 above instead. It's a legit Quincy bar.

6) Christos-Brockton- boring sauce, ubiquitous heavy motzzarella chees blanket. Crust is fluffy; it's the only saviour for this pizza. Place is beyond tired. It has a 60's-70's vibe and not in a good way.

7) Emma's- West Bridgewater- not really much of anything to like- below average sauce and crust and cheese... Its only redemption is that from 12-4 PM on sunday's it's only $0.99 per pie at the bar. It soaks up cheap beer miller lite draft and Emma's has a great video trivia system and an expansive and diverse juke box.

Your thoughts?

[NorthAttleboroGuy]

Some great suggestions on here, but I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned Paul's Pizza in Falmouth. Yes, I know that Cape Cod isn't technically the South Shore, but Paul's is my favorite bar pie ever. Well worth the drive!

[redheadedjen]

Also Cagney's on Washington St in Quincy has good bar pizza also.

[redheadedjen]

I like The Fowler House's pizza in Quincy. It is bar style.

-----
Fowler House Cafe
1049 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169

[Night Stalker]

Being a bar pizza weeny, it drives me crazy when someone craves for a pizza that has white sauce, artichoke hearts and endive with dried tomatoes. what is th F up with that? Go to the salad bar and pig out.

[janzy]

I'll throw another bar pizza into the mix.
Rags on Washington St, Quincy.

[jjbourgeois]

I'll throw another one in, Buddy's Union Villa in Easton. Anyone ever try it?

[hiddenboston]

I go there every now and then. It's a true roadside juke joint, with loud music, cheap beer, and very good bar pizza. Best to leave the Argyle sweater at home, though--it may be in Easton, but it feels a bit like the backwoods of Northern New Hampshire.

[winedude]

How about Neponset Cafe, in Canton Center? I remember hearing about their bar pizzas years ago, but I've never been. Anyone tried it?

-----
Neponset Cafe
497 Washington St, Canton, MA 02021

[Ronzoni]

Neponset Cafe, better known by the locals as Big D's has excellent bar pizza, far superior to Town Spa. A few doors down on Washington St. in Canton Center is T & B Pub, in their first year of existence, and their pizza is more of a traditional italian style, slightly larger than most bar pizzas and my personal favorite.

[Pegmeister]

Haven't been in Rags for awhile, but my experience there has been prepared pizzas that they just throw in the oven. Have things changed?

[analog4ndy]

no mention of either of two all star bar pizza joints which both exist in the same town on the south shore....how dissapointing...

[T.Clark]

I'm glued to my screen in anticipation.

[analog4ndy]

damien's in hanson. not overloaded with oil like many of the others are. jj's is good too but a little bit too much grease

[mattrudy]

what about THE LAST SHOT SPORTS BAR & GRILL in Stoughton. I have had there pizza and thought it was better than TOWN SPA's. I would compare there pizza to LYNWOOD or CAPE COD PIZZA but with a twist. Great sauce..

[hydraaa]

The "Cod" rules...downtown Brockton...used to be a great drinking dive...but then remodeled...had my first pizza there when I was 5 years old....also great greek salads...and I would know....used to make them at Christos...and the Cod was better...

[aregularjoe]

With all due respect, and having eaten more bar pizza's than I can count in greater Brockton over the last 30 years:

The Lynwood is currently the best. Period.

The Cape Cod Cafe has been going steadily down hill for years. It is a grossly overpriced shadow of its former self. I used to drive 20 miles back to the "Cod" for the pizza and its now worthless. I blame the takeover by the younger generation of the family

Cristo's pizza is generally mediocre. The rest of their food is awful.

The Town Spa in Stoughton, which many people rave about, is the lowest quality, food service ingredients, crap that you can possibly imagine. It is a tribute to the low taste and complete ignorance of any form of quality of the average suburban yahoo that this place is still in business. The food here just plain sucks.

-----
Lynwood Cafe
320 Center St, Randolph, MA 02368

[theparegorickid]

I usually get my pizza at "The Cod" due to its proximity, but agree it's gone downhill over the years
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and it was usually the Brockton Cafe or Montello Gardens for my family with occasional trips to Town Spa, Jimmie's, Sandara Club or Tip Top
they were all excellent in those days
now they're all gone or worse as in the case of The Town Spa
never actually tried the Lynwood til last year
while decent, I would still give the edge, ever so slight, to "The Cod"
but to be honest, my tastes may have just become accustomed to an inferior product
i mourn the loss of those great pizzas of my youth
sadly, they are gone forever along with Waleeco bars the "old recipe" Suzie Q's

-----
Lynwood Cafe
320 Center St, Randolph, MA 02368

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

Cape Cod's buffalo chicken is the best of its class, bar none. Their thicker crust supports the toppings very well. I like a buffalo chicken and onion combo and, yes, it is kind of pricy but oh so good.

[donpaul]

Would Denley's in Weymouth qualify as bar pizza? I think it's more pizza joint than bar. They make a really good pizza.

[devilham]

Yeah, Denley's is excellent, and has been doing it right since I was a kid (I am 40), but it's more a standard pizza than a bar pizza. Another good one in Weymouth that is also a standard pie is The Venetian.......old school pizza joint making consistent pizza since I was a baby......so good.

[kwhite18]

Cape Cod Cafe is the best!

[KTs]

In Easton you have your choice of either Union Villa or Doyles - and for take out (bar style) go with Ultimate.

I am a big fan of Lynwoods and CCCafe as well...

[hiddenboston]

A couple of South Shore friends told me the other night that they think Poopsie's is better than the Lynwood. I'm not sure how you can top perfection, but I'm very intrigued now.

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

i stand by it. Poopsie's and Cape Cod Cafe in Brockton. The two best. A nice laced pizza from the Lynwood is good but Poopsie's has something about it that just sets it apart.

[qianning]

wish i lived closer...cape cod cafe...poopsies...i'm getting very nostalgic....

[Trumpetguy]

Venus Cafe? Do you still recommend it?

I see Spence's(or Spencer's) is another around here that some praise...

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

I do enjoy Venus- Tomato and Bacon pizza (yum) or the venus special. But when they're busy the pizza can be underdone. I've tried to order well done but have been told that they're too busy. This really bothered me. so i don't get it on a friday or saturday if there's an hour wait or more.

I, very literally, just noticed Spencer's this past weekend. have been driving by it for years and never thought to stop in. I do know they make all their own bread and one has to think that if a sub shop cares enough to make their own bread daily, the pizza can't be half bad.

[digga]

The old Marino's space (right next door to Guru) in Teele Square has been replaced by a place called Venus Pizza. Could this be the same shop? We'll check it out this week.

[Espo]

I love bar pizza. I know it's easily dissed but I grew up on the stuff.

The best in this genre on the South Shore USED to be the Town Spa in Stoughton, but I haven't been there in years and heard its consistency is off.

My favorite for years though is The Great American Pub on Rte 138 in Raynham. Great variety, great toasty crust, just wonderful. Nice atmosphere, too -- esp. for a dark sports bar with a separate family restaurant side. Try their white pizza with garlic and mushrooms (and a side of wings). Man ... that's heaven.

[lowbuckbob]

I'll second Town Spa. I'm surprised no one mentioned Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale. Great pizza. You might also want to try the pizza at Red Wing Diner in Walpole (Yes they do have pizza as well as their delicious fried clams!).

[hiddenboston]

Roslindale isn't really South Shore (and it's more Neapolitan thin-crust than bar pizza), but I agree that it's really good. One of my favorite old-school places in Boston.

[pauleray]

Wow, I stumbled onto this blog by accident. I used to go to the Cape Cod Cafe, Lynwood Care, Christos, and since I lived in middleboro Central Cafe. I love bar room pizza, but alas living in Jacksonville FL these days, the choices are all limited to chains (Dominoes, Pizza hut etc). It is horrid stuff. I miss sucking down some brewski's and eating a whole pizza up there. You have no idea what a great treat it is until it is gone. Wait wasn't that a song? Enjoy one for me please!

[T.Clark]

Black Raspberry, Cordage Park, Plymouth. Not much to speak about atmosphere wise but the bar pizzas are pretty good, if your into that style (I'm not but different strokes). Bartender told me it's the Alumni in Quincy's recipe. I don't know if I believe him but it was good.

Ernie's in North Plymouth has a pretty good bar pizza too. Again not much for atmosphere so I've done take out a few times, pretty good if you like that style.

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

The Alumni if only because it's one of the few places that serve S.S, bar pies and a decent beer, Sierra Nevada.

[strykerfenix]

Has any one ever tried the pies from Bill Kidd's in Pembroke?

Thoughts

[qianning]

agree with you on poopsies. do you know if tip top cafe in brockton is still in business, any good? I used to love their bar pizza.

[taddybelle]

The Alumni Pub in Pembroke has a great bar pizza.

[johnecampbell]

Scituate Here, a few additions

The Satuit has very good "bar" pizza

Upper Crust in Hingham is still my favorite

British Beer Company in Pembroke also very good

Upper Crust and British Beer both have Scallop & Bacon Pizza, yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeaSide Tomato]

At the risk of being booted off Chowhound, for blasphemy, could I ask someone to explain the appeal of "bar pizza?" Sure, I can see enjoying one after a few too many at said bar--but just then anything can seem good!

I know folks who scooch off to Lynnwood at lunch to wolf down a bar pizza and scooch back. I''ve accompanied them and don't see the draw. To me bar pizza is like a greasy, oversized saltine with sauce and cheese. I'm not dissing it--I don't understand the fascination. Please help me get it.

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

hmm. That's a different take to be sure. Can I ask if you've had other bar pies or just at the Lynwood? Lynwood is not my fav and may not be yours either.

Union Brew house is a good rec. Never had the pizza but for a neighborhood type of bar, it's a great place.

[SeaSide Tomato]

Thanks Cannedmilk and all for your kind and well-thought responses.

Cannedmilk-yes I've had others--Town Spa, Halfway, many more over the years I'm sure.

I guess its much like HB said--it's very dependent on the environment and this pizza just goes with it. And I'm not saying I haven't enjoyed them in the past--just not in a "where's my next good one going to be from" sort of way.

Having said that, I do like Bertucci's pizza--especially the eggplant pizza, which is off the menu now, but you can get it upon request. It's most like the pizza I grew up on--Tony's in West Roxbury--which sadly has changed over the years based on a sample from two years ago (or my tastes have), but which had been a (fairly) thin, chewy crust with tangy sauce and just right amount of cheese (not flooded, but not skimpy). Now Bertucci's fills that gap. Others I like are Tullios , Figs, Croma--generally all fairly thin pies (which can get a nice bit of crackle) with interesting toppings.

I'm not a fan of the thicker "Greek" pizza--although I pretty much wouldn't turn down any pizza--who doesn't like bread, tomato sauce and cheese ( or other toppngs)?

Thanks again!

SST

[bachslunch]

There are good South Shore bar pizzas and bad ones. Town Spa, at least in my experience, makes the worst such I've had. And while I haven't had a pizza at the Halfway Cafe, I've been sufficiently not taken with the other things I've eaten there to ever chance a pizza. I've had good such pizzas at the Cape Cod Cafe, Christo's, and yes, the Lynnwood Cafe, which I think is the best such example.

But we may be in a basic agree-to-disagree mode here, as I'm not a fan of the pizzas at three of the faves you've mentioned, Figs, Croma, and Bertucci's. Tullio's apparently is now closed if reports at this site are accurate -- liked the pasta dish I tried there the one time I went but never got a pizza, so I can't comment on their version.

[donpaul]

I've had the BrewHouse's pizza with sausage and onion...yummy and VERY greasy...and qualifies as good bar pizza, if not my ideal type of pizza. The Brew House IS a great neighborhood bar, and I'm more inclined to order their nachos than their pizza.

[hiddenboston]

I think it has a lot to do with being in a beer joint and soaking in the atmosphere. To me, nothing goes better with a beer than a bar pie, except for perhaps another beer (or a shot of Jameson). I've done takeout bar pizza from various places including the Lynwood, and while it usually tastes terrific, it doesn't compare to sitting in a dark and dank joint, watching hockey fights on TV, and eating slices of greasy bar pie with a cold bottle of beer sitting on a coaster next to you.

[winedude]

I think that's a fair question, and I'll tell you my answer--it's because there isn't a decent "proper" pizza place anywhere nearby. If I could get to Regina's or Santarpio's, or any of the New Haven places, or even Gran Gusto in Cambridge (from what I hear), I'd much prefer those to "bar" pizza. But when the choice is Papa Gino's, or Bertucci's, or any of the numerous local joints, any of the bar pizzas wins, hands down.

With that said, can we start a topic on best (or at least decent) non-bar style pizza on the South Shore?

[Pegmeister]

For non-bar style pizza, in Quincy, it was a huge surprise to me how good the pizza was at Cafe deParis. I get it on a regular basis now. It's actually from Darcy's as they share the same kitchen, so if you prefer a more rustic setting, then Darcy's is the place. Funny thing though, at Cafe deParis the pizza is baked in a rectangular shape. I guess just so as to be different from Darcy's. Taste the same though.

[CocoDan]

Peg, Why have you been keeping this pizza secret from me? I had no idea they had pizza. I don't go there much, and am not a real big fan of "bar pizza". I sort of agree with Tomato---what's the big attraction?
I'll give Cd'P a try.
CocoDan

[pasta]

I live in teh area and never heard of these places...where are they?
and more importantly..describe the pizza !!

[Pegmeister]

Didn't keep it from you intentionally, after all you told me about Carmines. The pizza at Darcy's and Cafe deParis is not bar pizza but rather more traditional. I like that the crust gets the well done bubbles on the edge. They also use more oil than Carmines. For some reason, early in the evening, CP only offers plain or pepperoni, but Darcy's offers other toppings. It's funny, for years my office has gone to the Cafe deParis for functions, so I never stop there, I just happened to get dragged there one day after work and discovered I liked their pizza. Note to the OP, CP and Darcy's are part of the Common Market Restaurants in West Quincy. They have a website, and at one time I would not have been so quick to recommend them, but the pizza really is good.

[CocoDan]

Thanks Peg, I'll give it a try and report back.
CocoDan

[Night Stalker]

The South Eastern Mass pizza known as bar pizza is what I grew up on. Once my family doctor who was Sicilian brought pizza over that his Mom made when I was little and it sure didn't look like the pizza I knew. Too thick and "bready" for me.

So bar pizza can only be explained as being cooked on thin crust in a real hot oven with tangy sauce and cheese and some oil drizzled on the toppings.

A friend from the North Shore always wants to go to the Lynwood Cafe in Randolph (Bar Pizza Mecca) when he visits because he can't get enough of the stuff. If I could find an investor, I'd buy the Lynwood recipe which sells for $2500, and open a place on the North Shore to let everyone enjoy this anomaly of the pizza species.

[T.Clark]

"some oil drizzled on the toppings"? I think that's oil separating out of cheap cheese. $2500 won't buy you the really old, well seasoned pie tins, cheesy atmosphere and surly waithags needed to make good bar pizza. IMO it's thin Greek style house pizza.

[SOBoston]

I've always seen "bar pizza" as the answer to the roast beef craze that the north shore has created for its own population.

I don't know who yelled first, but the echo was certainly answered.

Still don't get the roast beef appeal either...

[katescakes]

I agree with Town Spa in Stoughton. We used to go there before a movie at the Stoughton Cinema Pub (since closed).

I would also recommend Union Brewhouse in Weymouth, near the intersection of Rt. 53 &18. Great local place with 99 beers and terrific pizzas and other bar food as well.

[winedude]

What about Town Spa, in Stoughton? They may not be as good as they once were, but if you catch them on a good day, they're still a good alternative.

[chowciao]

The last couple times I tried them, I didnt like it. The crust and sauce seemed kind of stale. I used to love them, about 10 years ago, but have been disappointed in the past few years

[robertlf]

I second the Town Spa but haven't been in many many years.

[Pegmeister]

The Lynnwood has to be on everyones list as a south shore favorite, and there are many who favor the Alumuni but let's not forget Bella's in Rockland.

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

Bella's? Driven by there a hundred times but never thought it was anything more than a restaurant making the best of being sandwiched between two hotels. It's now on my list.

[chowciao]

I used to go to Bella's as a kid when they were in Braintree. I never made it over there once they relocated.

I'm still a fan of Lynnwood, Alumni, Cronin's, Halfway, Christo's, Denleys (not sure that's bar style though). I guess there are a few spots I need to check out in the meantime.

[Pegmeister]

I used to go to Bellas when it was in Braintree as well. Only just last winter tried Rockland. I can't say that we had high expectations for the pizza, but I will say we ordered a second one. I found it to be similiar to Lynnwood, although they don't have a bean version.

[scorp508]

Cape Cod Cafe has another location in Raynham on Route 138 between China Garden and McDonalds.

Pepperoni's is usually pretty good, another couple hundred yards up 138 towards Taunton in the plaza with Honey Dew out front across the street from Harry's La Casa Mia.

[Applejakx]

Also another location in Bridgewater, Winter Plaza.

I've been to the Home Plate (I think that's the name) on Bay Rd in Taunton...and really really liked their cheese pizza.

[hiddenboston]

My favorite bar pie on the South Shore is probably from the Lynwood. It has been tough for me to find anything better than theirs, though I do need to hit your top two places here...

Here are my top bar pizzas on the South Shore, starting with #1:

1) Lynwood Cafe, Randolph
2) Alumni Cafe, Quincy
3) Emma's, West Bridgewater
4) Christo's, Brockton
5) Cronin's, Quincy
6) Halfway Cafe, Holdbrook
7) Louis' Crossing, Quincy

I also have some favs on the North Shore, but I'll save those for another thread...

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

I had a few Lynnwood Pizzas last night, laced of course, and I still think Poopsies is the best around both in terms of atmosphere and pizza.

[hiddenboston]

Good thing you weren't at the Lynwood last Thursday. I've been away for a few days in CT and NY, but I did hear about the violent robbery there. Sounded really scary...

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

I heard that too. It didn't seem to scare anyone away as of Monday night. The place was packed.