Enemies on the field and in the Kitchen

Which team has the secret sauce?

By Gabriella Nenadic

Photograph by Emma Almaraz

We all know Boston blood runs deep. When you have New England pride, there are two things you don’t mess around with: baseball and pizza. Being a Red Sox fan is a delicacy; it’s honor and it’s family—and you never go against the family. Wearing New York apparel in the streets will earn you a dirty look, let alone wearing a Yankees hat. Each location respectively thinks that they are the best at their craft, but who knows better? 

On the field, the two teams met up in the AL Wild Card Series just a few weeks ago—where the Yankees stole a win, 4-0, knocking the Red Sox out of the ball game. But in the kitchen, the pizza game is a little more subjective, so here is my piping hot take on who produces the best pie.

To ensure I tried the best of what each team has to offer, I had my roommate, who was born and raised in New York, show me the most authentic city slice: Made in New York. This Upper West Side staple embodies the energy of the city with outside seating along 72nd street or traditional indoor options that offer a cozy eclectic style. 

As for the pie, my roommate described it as “heaven in a slice,”  but I would opt for one word: perfection. This pizza joint has mastered the ratio of dough to sauce to cheese, resulting in a pizza that cooks in unison. You can taste the authenticity; the fresh made dough and sauce elevates this from a proportional pie to a long standing city tradition. The pizza’s shape stays intact with no flop, making this slice a pillow of cheese and a pizza lover's dream.

The obvious Boston equivalent is Regina Pizzeria; they’ve been serving up the best pies in the North End since the 1920s, but how does it stack up to the New York classic? Well first of all, the constant line around the block tells you almost everything you need to know about the quality of the pizza. You get a slice so hot it will almost burn the top of your mouth, but with that, you also get a pie that is packed with cheese and a nice crunch on the crust. 

Now this pie is tough to criticize since it is one of the best I've tried, however, when I can only choose one winner I must consider the fine details. With this slice, I noticed a bit more flop in the crust, which made the eating process a little difficult. But more importantly, the blend of dough, sauce and cheese could not surpass the perfection of the New York slice. 

After tasting these magnificent pizzas and giving both a lengthy assessment, I have come to my conclusion. As a new resident of Boston I am not looking to make any enemies when I say this, but in my book, New York won on the field and in the kitchen.