Splash of Flavor 2017: Buffalo Chicken pizza at Pinocchio’s

Around a white wall hidden in the corner is a Harvard Square restaurant that you might miss if you don’t look close enough. Pinocchio’s Pizza & Subs is home to some of the best pizza available in Massachusetts.

(Hey, you can place your vote here!)

The place resembles your classic pizza shop, with soda in the corner and an abundance of chips to choose from. Opened in 1966, the atmosphere is still filled with the utmost of warmth and comfort. Pinocchio-themed decorations and paintings hang on the wall. Pictures of a famous regular at the restaurant (Mark Zuckerberg) are also dangling around, reminding you of his life in Harvard and his daily visits to the establishment.

The variety of pizza offered is some that will leave your mouth watering, from Buffalo Chicken (my personal favorite) to the classic slice of cheese, the food available is exceptional and leaves you wanting more.

The menu offers more than just pizza however. Food such as subs, pasta, and salads also offer that home-cooked taste everyone desires. When you visit you’re sure to experience Pinocchio’s hospitality.

One slice of pizza at Pinocchio’s stands out from the rest, and that is the Buffalo Chicken pizza. The pizza is served hot and each bite is just as good as the last. Buffalo sauce is drizzled on the square slices and the baked crust crunches in your mouth. It is topped with a white ranch-like sauce that adds flavor to the already-delectable slice. Corner slices are ideal if you want an extra crunch to your pizza. The square slices are different but very filling and also looks pleasing to the eyes.

One can either grab a seat at one of the couple tables that fill the tiny space, or take it to go in one of the to-go boxes embellished with its logo. Either is a good option, but you won’t get the same friendliness present in this restaurant anywhere else. The workers will always greet you with a smile and treat you like one of their friends.

Whenever I’m craving a slice of pizza, Pinocchio’s is the first place that pops into my head. This hidden gem is one you don’t want to miss. On your next trip to Harvard Square I would highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a slice for one of the best experiences you’ll have in Massachusetts.

(Pinocchio’s Pizza & Subs, 74 Winthrop St., Cambridge, 617-876-4897, http://www.pinocchiospizza.net/.)

(To help pick the 2017 Splash of Flavor winner, cast your vote at http://tinyurl.com/3h532cs. Voting is only open until Jan. 21, 2018.)

-– Dec. 20, 2017 –-