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Massachusetts: The Best Soft Pretzel Is Served At A Surprising Location

Author Jeff Gorra

Professional sports arenas, school cafeterias, and sports bars might be the most common establishments you think of when it comes to grabbing a great soft pretzel meal. However, in Massachusetts, there is a surprisingly secluded spot that serves a soft pretzel that is worth raving about.

The good news is that the area where you would grab this delicious food is surrounded by fun. The bad news is that you probably wouldn’t be going there just for the food.

At 499 Mountain Rd, in Princeton, you will find one of most popular ski mountains in the state in Wachusett. At the base of the mountain, you will also find the best soft pretzel I’ve ever had in Massachusetts.

O’Brien’s Deck Bar and Grill has only seven items on their menu. Their intent is simple. Come up to the outdoor window, place an order for a bite and a drink, and quickly carry on. You can either have a seat on the outdoor deck by a firepit and take a break from the slopes, or grab your handheld item and rush back to the chairlift. Either way, you are going to want make sure their soft pretzel is part of your experience.

Here’s Why O’Brien’s Has The Best Soft Pretzel

There are three non-negotiable elements to making a memorable pretzel. First and foremost, it has to be warm and baked fresh. This allows the pretzel to have a perfect balance of a slightly crunchy exterior that is then filled with a chewy warm inside. The preference here is for it also to be properly shaped like a pretzel. Part of the fun is pulling the pieces apart. Then, we have the salt. This is important because if the ratio is not right, it can ruin the entire thing. You can certainly tell if a pretzel is freshly prepared if the salt is properly stuck upon the pretzel. If it falls off instantly like rock candy, you may have a stale or reheated frozen item in your hands where the salt was adhered by using water.

Lastly, we have the dips. Now, a great soft pretzel should be able to stand on its own. Meaning, you savor every bite without needing something to take over the taste. However, at O’Brien’s, the warm cheese sauce that comes with their giant soft pretzel is warm and full of flavor.

The pretzel with cheese sauce will cost you $9 at O’Brien’s Deck Bar and Grill at Wachusett Mountain. Furthermore, it will make your thrilling winter day on the slopes even better.

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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