Welcome to the first post in my new nostalgia dining series! I’m so excited to share that I’m working on a new series of posts all about the restaurants I have nostalgia for that still hold up today. This series will feature a mix of local spots, chains, and maybe even Disney locations (assuming I make it down to Orlando any time soon).
The first post in this series is all about Bertucci’s, a beloved Italian spot that once had about 100 locations across the northeast and is now, unfortunately, down to just 12 restaurants. Today, most Bertucci’s locations are in Massachusetts, with one left in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
I LOVED Bertucci’s growing up, and I truly have so many fond memories there. I’m not an economist, but I simply can’t understand how Bertucci’s has had to downsize to the extent that it has– I understand some trends away from chain restaurants in general, but I don’t know…I will often choose a local spot over a chain, but a chain certainly does not automatically equal “bad”.
Truly, the only reason I had not been to a Bertucci’s in years (until recently for an Instagram collaboration) was that finding one near me had become increasingly challenging. When I finally did make it back, I wondered how the experience would hold up after all these years. Well, Bertucci’s definitely does hold up, and the only downside I found is that there is no longer one in my town!
Bertucci’s Appetizers
Before we get into the rest of the food here, we have to take a moment for Bertucci’s rolls. Is it the best bread service you’re going to find at an Italian restaurant? No, but it doesn’t matter. Bertucci’s warm dinner rolls are pure nostalgia in the best way. They’re always served warm with olive oil (or butter when I was a kid), and no dinner experience at Bertucci’s is complete without at least one. Extra points if you’re ordering off the kids’ menu and you get the dough to play with– The best!
Beyond the bread, though, hands down the best appetizer you can get at Bertucci’s is the Tuscan Chicken Wings, perfectly seasoned with lemon and rosemary. I would have never thought to order these until one lunch at Bertucci’s with my Papa as a teenager, when he said they were his favorite wings, so we had to get them. That man knew his chicken wings, and he was on point with this recommendation. They’re so well-seasoned, and just crispy and lemony enough. If one of my old Bertucci’s spots were to open back up, I’d be getting these at least monthly.
If I don’t go with just the wings for an app, I’ll order the Bertucci’s Sampler. This one comes with the Tuscan Chicken Wings, Mozzarella Fritta, Meatballs with Pomodoro, Whipped Ricotta, and Grilled Flatbread. The wings are the standout for sure, but everything on here is delicious. This is especially my go-to when I’m torn between red or white sauce for the pasta with my entree, since it comes with meatballs, so I can have a little of both (with my Chicken Piccata!).
Are we counting salads as apps? They come with a lot of the entrees at Bertucci’s, and I guess they are technically appetizers. I love Bertucci’s vinaigrette with the Insalata, and the Caesar Salad is always great, too.
The Best Brick Oven Pizzas
This may be a hot take, but I know what the best pizza at Bertucci’s is, and it’s probably not what you’re thinking. My absolute favorite pizza from Bertucci’s is a large cheese pizza, topped with caramelized onions and roasted bell peppers. I don’t even love either of those toppings in general, but for some reason, on Bertucci’s pizzas, I really think they are the best. It’s important to get a large, though. On a small, you only get a few pepper slices, and trust me, you’re going to want those.
If I’m in the mood for more traditional toppings, I would order the Sporkie, topped with Italian Sausage, Mozzarella, Ricotta, and Pecorino Romano. I’m not a huge sausage pizza person, but every now and then, this one is it. You can’t go wrong with a classic cheese pizza at Bertucci’s as well. (This is also the point in the post where I make it clear that I love olives, so the pizza olive is always mine!)
Pasta Favorites
Not going to lie, I actually really love Bertucci’s pasta. I especially love their Chicken Piccata —I’m pretty sure Bertucci’s is where I first “discovered” Chicken Piccata as a kid, and it holds up to this day.
My pro-tip, though, for when you order Chicken Piccata here is to either ask for extra Piccata sauce, or get the pasta on the side with marinara sauce. It’s not just Bertucci’s; I’ve found that many Italian-American restaurants don’t put enough sauce on their pasta dishes. Assuming you’ll be taking leftovers home like I usually do, you’ll want that extra sauce.
If I’m not ordering Chicken Piccata, Chicken Parm, or the Shrimp Rossini would be my next choices! Bertucci’s Chicken Parm is also great, but the Shrimp Rossini is a true standout in my opinion. This one comes with shrimp tossed in a tomato cream sauce with capers and just a bit of hot pepper. I wouldn’t say it’s spicy, but it is creamy and delicious if you’re looking for a more unique, yet still cozy and comforting pasta dish.
Room for Dessert?
I don’t usually have room for dessert, and in general, I prefer savory over sweet…But I will make an exception for a good Tiramisu! I love Bertucci’s Tiramisu. I’ve been getting it since I was a kid, and it’s another classic dish that I have so much nostalgia for, and that truly holds up.
I’m pretty sure Tiramisu is the only dessert I’ve tried at Bertucci’s. (Why try something new if you’ve already achieved perfection, I guess?) Maybe one of these days, though, I’ll branch out and try the cannoli.
Find a Bertucci’s Near You
Thanks for reading this post and reliving some delicious eats at Bertucci’s with me! It’s really difficult to see iconic restaurants downsize, and I’d love to see a revival of Bertucci’s, at least in the New England area. If you’ve been missing Bertucci’s, you can find a location (hopefully kind of, sort of near you) here!
