Santarpio’s Pizza

Santarpio's Pizza is a neighbourhood pizzeria on Chelsea Street in East Boston, and a good choice for anyone who wants to eat pizza outside the North End. Its plain, no-frills style is part of the attraction. A second branch operates in Peabody, but Chelsea Street is the original home.

There are two reasons to come. The first is the pizza, from a simple Italian cheese pie to a meat lovers' version with pepperoni, sausage and ground beef. The second is the barbecue: skewers of lamb, steak tips or chicken, and single sausages, barbecued and served with hot cherry peppers and freshly baked Italian bread. Ordering a pizza and a skewer or two to share is the classic combination, and it makes for a filling, inexpensive meal.

The restaurant is open every day from 11:30am to 10pm. Prices are listed on the website but are subject to change, and not every beer is offered at both locations. As a general tip, expect a busy room at peak dinner times and be ready for a casual, quick-service atmosphere rather than a long, lingering meal.

Santarpio's suits budget travellers, groups of friends and families with children who like pizza, and it is a good choice for anyone who wants to see a less touristy part of Boston. It is not the place for a romantic dinner or a formal occasion. Vegetarians will find cheese pizza an easy option, though the barbecue is very much the focus of the menu.

Pizzas and skewers are easy to share, so a group of three or four can order a couple of pies and a selection of barbecue between them. Bring an appetite rather than a long list of special requests; this is a place for classic orders done the traditional way.

East Boston is also where Boston Logan International Airport is located, so Santarpio's can work as a first or last meal for travellers with time to spare. Allow extra travel time if you are coming from the other side of the city, and check the menu online before you go so you can order quickly when you arrive.