Does Boston PIZZA compare with CT/NY? (Boylston: appointed, how much)

[clevedark]

I bet there's lots of good food in Saugus and Malden. I've never been to either, but they seem to be the right kind of towns for good italian food....

[Cliff Clavin]

A lot of roast beef places up there too. There was an amazing roast beef place in Saugus called Full of Bull. Small family owned shop decorated w/vintage lic plates on all the walls. The place made Kelly's look foolish. Unfortunately the father wanted out and the kids didn't want it so they closed down about 15 years ago.

[readymade]

I seem to recall a place called Vinnie's (in Malden Center) that was also pretty good.

I've never actually eaten a roast beef sandwich from Kelly's... I was all about the over-priced lobster rolls!

[clevedark]

If you're in the mood for meat, the Pit Stop BBQ place in Mattapan is incredible. They're open on thurs, fri and Sat. Boston's Best Barbecue

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by clevedark

The best food is Boston is the staggering array of asian food, hands down. It's asian food paradise. I love Italian food, but I have learned to cook delicious italian at home to fill my cravings.

The North End has lots of nice Italian restaurants, including one cafeteria style one on the corner that serves wonderful pastas, pizzas, calzones and subs, which is cheap and divine. But parking is a hassle.

I suspect that there are some suburbs that harbor fantastic italian restaurants,closer-in towns that became popular with italians leaving the city in the 60s and 70s. I just don't know what those towns are (I know them in NJ, but not here....).

In Brookline there are a couple of italian delis, one in Coolidge Corner (Bottega something or other) and one in Brookline Village (Bottega Capri), but they def. have a european italian flavor to them, rather than the Italian American vibe I crave, which I think is vanishing from our shores forever, whether you're talking Boston or NYC area.

One of the last times DH was in Jersey he stopped at a venerable old italian-american place for a sub and they guy behind the counter said there aren't many places like his--Italians just don't come to the US anymore--it is a dying breed.

That said, I think that plenty of italian restaurants and delis are run by immigrants from countries other than italy and they can be quite popular--like my childhood neighbor in NJ from Cyprus who made a fortune with his red sauce restaurant, slinging out chicken and veal parm and linguini with white clam sauce night and day.

The north end is overrated. There are italian places outside of Boston that are just as good without the ridiculous cost.

If you want good pizza just order from domino's...just kidding. I disagree with Sal's Pizza though. Its a decent deal but really don't think it is that good. The only food I think is better up in New England than other areas is seafood.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

The only food I think is better up in New England than other areas is seafood.

I like the Portuguese food in New England (particularly S.E. Mass) better than I've had anywhere else. Granted, I haven't eaten everywhere, but I've yet to have it anywhere better than the Fall River/ New Bedford area.

The best Scallops I've ever had are New England without anything even being close elsewhere. However, I've had GREAT seafood in New York as well as San Francisco... at least as good or better than what I've had here. Each region has specialties, and Boston is a pretty good food town. We don't have a need for the Napoleon complex with New York as most other cities in the country aren't as good as Boston (again, except San Fran and a few others).

[Cart24]

Originally Posted by lrfox

I like the Portuguese food in New England (particularly S.E. Mass) better than I've had anywhere else. Granted, I haven't eaten everywhere, but I've yet to have it anywhere better than the Fall River/ New Bedford area.

The best Scallops I've ever had are New England without anything even being close elsewhere. However, I've had GREAT seafood in New York as well as San Francisco... at least as good or better than what I've had here. Each region has specialties, and Boston is a pretty good food town. We don't have a need for the Napoleon complex with New York as most other cities in the country aren't as good as Boston (again, except San Fran and a few others).

Very true on Portuguese food, the only other city that is on par in North America is Toronto.

Boston also represents itself amongst the best when it comes to Nepalese, Tibetan and Haitian food. In addition its the only place in the country you can find multiple options for Cape Verdean cuisine.

[clevedark]

We have a nice selection of different types of restaurants in and around Boston, but I am of the reluctant opinion that lots of our restaurants are overpriced. I ate often in NYC and Portland OR this summer and it really brought that sad fact to my attention.

Ethnic eateries are excepted from this observation.

I am still reeling from paying 25 bucks for a plate of linguini with three clams at Pomodoro in Brookline a few weeks ago. What nerve in this economy!!!!

[LeavingMA]

I did forget about Portuguese food which is hard to find in many other areas and is very good down in the Fall River area...so excellent point.

I've had some great seafood in San Francisco also, so I would agree with that.

[acb200]

The short answer is hell no.

T Anthony's and Crazy Doughs are good but they are nothing compared to any random slice in NYC.