Newtowne Grille

"The closing of Newtowne Grille in Cambridge was absolutely crushing. Their pizza was among the best of the “New York style” thin crust in the region and to see yet another old-school dive breaks my heart." - Erika Adams

"Newtowne Grille, a landmark in Porter Square for over 50 years, is known for its affordable pizza and dive bar atmosphere. Despite some modernization during the pandemic, it largely remained unchanged since its opening in 1966. It was popular for sports watching, trivia nights, and its $12 pizza-and-pitcher deal. The restaurant faced challenges during the COVID pandemic, including false reports of its closure, which contributed to its final closure on March 19. The venue was cherished by regulars for its welcoming environment and friendly staff." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

"Newtowne Grille, a longstanding dive bar in Porter Square, has undergone significant changes due to the pandemic. Known for its outstanding pizza, the venue remains a local favorite, attracting both old and new patrons. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, including a prolonged shutdown and the need to revamp its menu for takeout and delivery, Newtowne has retained its core identity as a welcoming neighborhood bar. The bar's history of adapting to changes, such as the smoking ban in the early 2000s, has helped it navigate through the pandemic while continuing to offer a familiar and inviting atmosphere to its loyal clientele." - Terrence Doyle

"My household has fierce allegiances to several regional pizza styles. (Our kittens are named Sally and Pepe, which reveals one of the styles, but don’t tell Pepe that we’re Team Sally’s.) When it comes to cheap, reliable, excellent New York-style pizza, we have two local picks, both in Cambridge: Newtowne Grille and Armando’s (see below for the latter.) Newtowne is great for dining in, especially if you love dive-y old sports bars or want to take advantage of the super-cheap pitcher-of-beer-and-pizza deal. But takeout’s great, too; head to the door on the far right. Pepperoni’s the way to go. —RLB" - Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Terrence Doyle