Is the Best South Shore Bar Pizza at Lynwood Cafe in Randolph, MA?
Crispy, greasy, and highly-addictive, the Lynwood Cafe in Randolph, MA is often considered the most legendary spot for South Shore bar pizza.
By Aimee Tucker|Mar 01 2025|
A trio of South Shore bar pizza pies from Lynwood Cafe.
Photo Credit: Aimee TuckerIf you’ve never experienced South Shore bar pizza, pay attention. Like any good American, I love pizza and have since I was old enough to chew. In the following 30-odd years, my pizza tastes have expanded from thin Papa Gino’s and thick Greek-style “House of Pizza” slices to brick oven Neapolitan-style slices with blobs of fresh mozzarella and gourmet-topped flatbreads. Add in homemade pizza and the occasional thick-square Sicilian bakery slice, and I thought I had Massachusetts pizza pretty well covered. Little did I know I was missing out on the best pizza to come out of the Bay State- South Shore bar pizza.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
What is South Shore Bar Pizza?
Not having grown up in the section of Massachusetts stretching south and east of Boston to Cape Cod (known as the “South Shore“) like my husband did, I had never had South Shore bar pizza, the variety found in (as the name implies) many of the bars and pubs throughout the region. Cooked in 10-inch individual, well-seasoned pans, bar pizzas have a crust that’s often described as “cracker-like,” with a good balance of crispy and chewy, and a browned layer of cheese (a mozzarella/cheddar blend) that stretches all the way to the edge, forming a signature charred and lacy border. With just one visit to my husband’s hometown bar pizza spot, the Central Cafe in Middleboro, I was, as the saying goes, hooked.
South Shore Bar Pizza at Lynwood Cafe
A few miles north, the Lynwood Cafe in Randolph is often considered the most legendary place for bar pizza, although other contenders include Town Spa in Stoughton, Cape Cod Cafe in Brockton, and the oddly-named Poopsies in Pembroke. With its nondescript exterior and just slightly less-so interior, the cash-only Lynwood delivers flavor without fuss, and for its generations of loyal customers, that’s just fine. A handful of tables and booths comprise the dining area, with a jukebox in the corner and a few neon beer signs on the walls. It’s a basic bar that dates back to 1949 and looks like one, but the pizza is anything but.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Inside, we study the laminated, single-sheet menu and keep it simple with a plain cheese for my sister and a mushroom and onion for me. The wait can sometimes be long (many customers place large to-go orders that can slow the kitchen down), but the pizzas are always perfect. Bar pizza slices are small, sturdy, and splendidly greasy, and the pie’s 10-inch size makes them perfect for individual ordering. Or sharing. The choice is yours.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Meat-eaters often go for toppings like linguica (a Portuguese smoke-cured pork sausage) or salami, and for those that like to live on the edge, the menu also includes a Baked Bean Special. Considered a “love it or hate it” kind of pizza, it comes topped with Boston baked beans, onions, and salami.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
I know of a few spots beyond the South Shore mimicking the “bar pizza” style (City Slickers Cafe in Somerville is a Boston-area favorite of ours), but for many fans, only the “real deal” will do, and that often means a trip to Lynwood.
Are you a South Shore bar pizza fan? If not, which style of pizza is your favorite, and where’s the best spot for a slice?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
See More:
Guide to New England Pizza Styles
75 Classic New England Foods
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Fifty-five years ago started with Cape Cod Café pizza. Have been going to the Lynwood for forty-six years and it is definitely THE BEST!
Love the Bean Special, laced and well done, with chopped, raw onions in addition. Mushroom, onion and pepper is also another great choice. It’s even good cold for breakfast!
Aimee, I loved the story and want to try the recipe you put in the magazine but I think someone took my issue. What month was that so I can try to find one? Can I find it online? I even ordered rimmed pans to give it a go but now no recipe.
Thanks for any help.
Hi Dan. Thanks so much! We never ran a recipe for bar pizza in Yankee, but the amazing and talented folks over at Cook’s Country (part of America’s Test Kitchen) developed a recipe for Lynwood-style bar pizza and it’s in their August/September 2014 issue! It’s on my list to try!
Aimee, thank you for restoring my sanity. I couldn’t believe that I lost an issue of Yankee that easily.
I have the Cook’s Country issue in my hands and the story written by Christin Walsh is equally enticing as yours.
I think I will attempt the home recipe first, then take a ride to The Lynwood for comparison.
Thanks again and keep me longing for another great find and story.
Great work.
I grew up in Middleborough, MA on S.Shore and we have so many good bar pizza places. The Central Cafe, The Hideaway and the Royal are just a few. Also Middleborough House of Pizza is not a bar but same style and so good. I live in Central FL now and this is one of the things I miss the most!
BBC makes a decent bar pizza. Middleboro may have decent bar pizza, but it isn’t part of the South Shore.
I’ve tried them all, The Central Cafe in Middleboro is by far the best.
Crunchy with a chew – mellowy flavored crust that contains some secret ingredients that I haven’t been able to duplicate.
The linguica ground up into small piles of flavor that releases an explosion of moist meat in your mouth when you bite into it. Of course the slightly sweet sauce and a mixture of cheesiness splatter painted onto the edge of the golden crust just teasing you to not leave a crumb behind.
40 years ago; One would have to dodge around bar room brawls – deafeningly loud talking – couples sneaking into the ladies restroom for guess whats – all to get at a Cold Beer n “Pizzah” – a one size pie with a golden crusted slice of heaven. Hmmm, I can taste it now.
(live in CA now, but bring back as many as possible when I visit.)
It was back in my early childhood years 1956 that my parents had moved to Randolph. Living in the town for several years my Mom would go out with the other young Moms once a month with a stop at the Lynwood Cafe for a pizza. She would come home and tell my Dad how good it was. No matter how many times she would insist he try it the answer was always the same. About 1959 we were getting ready to move again to North Attleboro with the food all packed and all of our belongings on the road my Mom decided to go get one last pizza. Dad had no choice eat a slice or go hungry. Well let me tell you for the rest of my childhood we made the trip to the Lynwood Cafe for Dads favorite pizza. Dad worked at Logan airport and would often stop on his way back to North Attleboro for a quick pizza. Mom always knew by the telltale sign of red sauce on his white shirt. I am 59 years old and drag my husband back every time the desire for that very special pizza draws us in. We now come home with 6-10 pizza for our children who put their request in every time they realize we are on the hunt.
Glad I got the recipe for Lynwood’s Bean Special pizza…
I have the recipe, too: Buy a Lynwood’s cheese pizza. Sprinkle beans on the top. Refresh for 3 minutes in 375 degree oven.
Forget beer or soda with your pie.Milk with your pizza ?Try it. And don’t forget the Venus family of pizza bars, in Whitman, Brant Rock and Hanson, each a little different .
The pizza here is pretty satisfying. You’ll definitely want to grab about 30 napkins to soak up all the grease before you dive in. The place itself fits the divey bar pizza mold but being the pizza connoisseur that I am I’d have to say there are a lot better options around for a ‘bar pizza’ . Joe’s Cafe in Northampton blows this place out of the water, everything about it is better. Some of the best slices around can be found nearby too, Antonio’s in Amherst has some legendary, filling slices available at all hours. Pinocchio’s in Northampton is also awesome and an underrated joint. I’ll keep going back to Lynwood since its in my neck of the woods but I just don’t understand the 6oz glasses of beer, it makes no sense.
I grew up in Avon Mass. about three miles from the Lynwood and have had their pizza many times. I even worked in the kitchen for a few months in 1968 helping to prepare the pizzas. I have also had and enjoyed the pizza at Town Spa and the Cape Cod Café. IMO this style of pizza is far superior to other types I have had elsewhere, and the Lynwood is the gold standard. BTW, unless they changed Frank Kurlitis; recipe (late owner of the Lynwood) they use ONLY cheddar cheese. Frank used to buy it in big ‘wheels’ and attach them to an apparatus he made that would rotate the wheels (or discs) against a blade thereby shaving the cheese into a large bin under the blade. The cheese looked somewhat like the shredded cheese that nowadays is sold in grocery stores.
How is the crust so different from others? I know it’s made in a well seasoned pan.
You got to try Spencer’s Pizza in Abington. I tried Lynnwood’s and others’ and loved Spencer’s the most!
got recipe from Lynwood by getting cook to work for them
I grew up in the 60s and we had cousins that lived in Holbrook. There was a place in the Center called Diane’s (sp? Pronounced dee-anne’s). We never left town after visiting that we didn’t leave without a stack of pizzas from Diane’s. The way I remember the story is that when Diane’s closed, the chef took the recipe to the Lynwood. Not sure how exact my recollection is but there was some connection between the origination of the recipe. Two other satisfying pub-pizza places that satisy the need for pub-pizza are the Red Wing in Foxboro and Paul’s Pizza in Falmouth. Both are very similar.
Grew up in Randolph. I agree the Lynwood a fine pizza. For those that don’t know the best bar pizza is on the other side of Randolph at Hoey’s Pizza located in the AMVETS Lodge. They have been there since 1953 and many in town think they are the best.
Frank, I also grew up in Randolph, equidistant to Lynwood and Amvets. My family was partial to Amvets (especially in the olden days when they used the cast iron pans — the pizza was fantastic). Sadly, Hoey’s has gone downhill. The last three times I’ve ordered it was a terrible disappointment; tasted like it was pre-made, frozen then baked. Not good.
I’ve since moved to Florida, and dream about Lynwood on a regular basis. Those pictures almost made me cry.
I had my first bar pizza in 1962-1963 at Paul’s Pizza in Falmouth while stationed on the Cape (USAF). It was topped with Linguisa. It’s still my very favorite pizza anywhere. Problem is, I now live about 2 1/2 hours from Falmouth so I seldom have the opportunity to have it. I’d sure like the recipe if anyone has it.
A new place in adams village dorchester- landmark public house- is now serving 10 ich bar pies.Has anyone tried them? Do they stack up against the classics?
Best of all is Red Wing in Walpole. Second best is Schooners in Hull. Try them both for a real treat
On the eve of the blizzard of ‘78, I was in the Linwood Cafe ordering pizza to for my wife and 3 kids. I had a beer, in a 6 oz glass, while waiting. The ‘BZ News was on, and all about the big storm that was coming. I think it was Don Kent, the weatherman, who said “make no mistake, it’s coming “. I took my pizzas home where we all enjoyed the best bar pizza around. Town Spa, Cape Cod, Amvets also good choices. Thanks, Aimee and Yankee, for slice of nostalgia, on the 40th anniversary of the Blizzard of ‘78. Living out of state now, articles such as these, are a welcome trip back home and in time. Was it really 40 years ago I was at the Linwood?
Ah Don Kent. He was a master weatherman! I grew up in New Bedford and our Pizza was the Knotty Pine….
Rags and S6 both in Quincy, same recipe as the former famous Alumni Pizza in Wollaston are the best I’ve ever had. Town Spa Stoughton and Venus Cafe Whitman ordered crispy are close runner ups. Lynnwood although I love the vibe and history is vastly overrated in my opinion.
We grew up in Stoughton, and Dedham. the best pizza ever was the Linwood and the town spa. We would give anything for either of these. We now live in Goodyear Arizona and there is no place here that makes good pizza.
I also grew up in Randolph and used to deliver the Sunday newspaper to some apartments above the Lynnwood! Sunday night was usually pizza night at my family’s home and between the Lynnwood, Amvets, and Zacks it was always a tough decision where to get this week’s pizza!? Lynwood is still the BEST and Zacks is definitely 2nd. Unfortunately Amvets has declined in their quality as I was there a couple of weeks ago and was not impressed. It has changed a lot. On the other side of the coin though the Lynnwood is the same or better than when I was a youngster. I moved to the cape in 1974 and never fail to stop in for a couple of pies with my old friends (Randolph also has the best people in the world) as whenever I go back up there I’m treated like a celebrity by my old running mates. 90% of the time we end up at the Lynnwood, The atmosphere in that place is priceless and they definitely live by the old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” keep up the great work people!! I’ll be back
Someone mentioned the pizza in Holbrook. The place was actually named D’Ann’s, owned by Dan and Ann Cocomazzi, and its pizza was on par with the Linwood since as I understood the recipe was “borrowed” from Linwoods by a cook. The building was torn down and is now a drug store, but their son Mike, who ran the old place since the seventies, opened a new D’Anns years ago in the neighboring town of Abington.
Lynwood is probably the best but I also loke the Great American Pub pizza in Raynham but being out in Colorado Springs only gets me bar pizza in Mass about once a year.
We moved from Dot (Dorchester) in late in 1972 and I have lived in thee South Shore most of my life and have had the pleasure of trying most of the spots which featured the South Shore Bar Pizza… my first was at the Lynnwood in Randolph which for most is the standard and for me it was until in 1977 I tried Poopsies in Pembroke which became my favorite, then I tried Town Spa in Stoughton, The and Hoeys at theAmvets in Randolph… all really good, but I still thought that Poopsies still was a bit better… until I tried the pizza at the Next Page Cafe in Weymouth which was every bit good as Poopsies… plus the live Blues Bands music and dancing makes it that much more desirable. Amazaingly I have never tried Cape Cod in Brockton, but I have heard many say that it was the best… Now that I live in Plymouth, MA I found The Black Raspberry Cafe which also ranks up there with the best… Every now and then I make my own (yes, I purchased the 10” round baking pans and the 10” metal serving platters lol) and I have been pretty close to duplicating the final product a few times.
The author has my taste – mushroom & onions, yumm! I grew up on the South Shore. When Brant Rock (not SS, ok I know) was a bustling summer beach scene, my grandmother ran the kitchen for several of the bars at different times – because she made the best pizza (a lot like the Lynwood’s with Cheddar cheese). After she passed my first wife and I discovered the Lynwood. Just like old times.
Now I live in KY and wish I could introduce my present wife of 18 years to their pizza. She’s a pizza-holic!
I have had Town Spa and Cape Cod Cafe (grew up in Easton) and they’re good – but not Lynwood good: Wicked good!
Thanks for keeping this article updated through the years.
Blast from the past.. Brockton’s Parkway, restaurant and ice cream at Field’s Park..they had great bar pies..learned from a cook there that they would rub lamb grease in the pans for flavor and crisp…so much for meatless,eh? But what a great time and place…eat your fill by the waterfall,the feed the crusts to the ducks and go back for an ice cream cone.
I don’t care where you grew up or what pizza you liked. Lynwood is 2nd best and you don’t have a clue what good pizza is.
Many tourists and locals love “Mystic Pizza”, where the movie of that title , in Mystic, CT. is on the hill site of the spot of the old Ted’s Pizza, where in its day was great.
Went to Mystic Pizza last year. Huge disappointment. Very expensive for a pizza that tastes like a supermarket pizza.
Born in Boston, after my wife and I were married we moved to Randolph, just up the street from the Lynwood Cafe. for 18 years before moving to Cassopolis Michigan in 1980. For the next 41 years I tried in vain I might add, to find a pizza joint in Michigan that could come close to the Lynwood, Never could find one. So now we make an annual pilgrimage back east, and wallow in the glory of Lynwood pizza. My favorite is Hamburg, mushroom and onion. a real treat for the gastronomic pizzaholic that I am. I have tried to make it myself at home, but my efforts are fruitless, and I feel crushed under the weight of remorse that I am an utter failure in the culinary arts, at 81 years I doubt I will ever be successful in being able to introduce any of my 9 great grand children to the sublime experience of a lynwood pizza. But I will once again make my pilgrimage back east in the fall, to once again experience the almost religious experience of goodness presented by one of Gods best gifts to mankind, a lynwood pizza.
I’ll take Poopsies all day long, unfortunate make notwithstanding, not a male quickly forgotten!!! Or the Venus in Brant Rock. ????
Denly’s Bar in East Weymouth. The best pizza ever. I’m 78 and this place was open before that. They used to use Scamorza cheese for the topping and boy was it absolutely delicious. It is a Bar and An Italian Pizza and food sit-in or take-out. Love this place.
Venus Café in Whitman is the absolute best, hands down. I crave the linguica eggplant combination. I live in California and when I return to Massachusetts, Venus is one of my first stops. Add a Greek salad and a Corona and I am in Heaven!
very inconsistant–sad to report 🙁
all depends on who is cooking that day, when l used to live in E Bridgewater l would go in and ask..
Yes! I forgot about Venus Cafe, delicious pizza!!
Haven’t been to Lynwood, but my vote goes to Brick and Beam in Quincy. Really good soppresata and banana pepper pizza.
Lived in Holbrook for a number of years. Always went to Lynwood for pizza. It’s the best. Live in Las Vegas now. I miss New England food.
Grew up in Easton so most often we got Town Spa or Cape Cod Cafe, but yes – the Lynwood is the Queen of South Shore Bar Pizza! Thanks for the remember when – can’t get this type of pizza in Hopkinsville, KY!
I grew up in Brockton, we always ate bar pizza from Christo’s restaurant, I worked there in 2001 and Cape Cod.Cafe, you can buy precooked in stores now like S&S. I always loved The Lynwood in Randolph, Town Spa in Stoughton and there’s also Spencer’s in Abington that serve the same style, they are ALL DELICIOUS!!
If it is from an animal, it is fat. If it is from a plant, it is oil. If it is used to lubricate a car, it is grease.