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Wicked Holiday Guide

Massachusetts: Best Turkey Sandwich Served At Over 60 Locations In-State

Author Jeff Gorra

Thanksgiving is a few short weeks away. But what if you like having turkey-based dinners all year long? One chain excels in making a turkey sandwich, and they have over 60 locations in Massachusetts.

Eat This, Not That recently published a feature focusing on the fast-food establishments that cook up the best turkey sandwiches in the country. Here, they claim Panera Bread is the number one option. “While you can buy decent sliced turkey at your supermarket deli, some chains are going beyond that and roasting their turkey,” they said.

In addition, the turkey sandwich may be the most flexible in terms of what it can be paired with. There are the classic sliced versions stuffed between two pieces of sourdough bread with crispy lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise or mustard. You add in the bacon and make a turkey BLT. A few slices of cheddar, American, or provolone cheese are never a bad idea either.

Here is where things get interesting with the turkey sandwich. You have the Thanksgiving sandwich options, which is an entirely different world unto itself. Over the next few weeks, you will certainly see the hot open-faced turkey sandwich special being on special at many of your local pubs. Then, of course, you have the post-holiday recipe. This is where you load up the rolls with that thick-cut sliced Thanksgiving turkey. Then, it’s imperative you load it with all the other leftovers in the fridge. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, and anything else you’d like.

However, before that exciting and indulging time of year, let’s look at some options in Massachusetts to get a consistently great turkey sandwich.

Panera Bread

According to VinePair there are 61 Panera Bread locations in Massachusetts. “If you want the healthiest and best quality turkey sandwiches, Panera is the place to go,” Eat This, Not That states. Their current menu includes the Bacon Turkey Bravo, the Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT, and the Deli Turkey Sandwich.

Where Else?

Jersey Mike’s, Potbelly, and Jimmy Johns are also worth noting from Eat This, Not That’s feature. Though each of them offers their takes on a classic turkey sandwich, they also let you customize your order. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, which ranked second with Eat This, Not That, currently has “The Bobbi,” a “sandwich you’ll be thankful for.” Unfortunately, you will have to travel for the turkey sandwich, as Capriotti’s does not have any locations in Massachusetts.

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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