National Pizza Week: Where To Find A Pie In Newton

NEWTON, MA — As National Pizza Week draws to an end, it puts a spotlight on local Newton pizzerias, which have largely faced the same financial difficulties as other restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic.

As pizza chains nationally see a sharp uptick in business as people stay home to slow the spread of the virus, the view is different at Bill's Pizzeria

"We don't sell as much pizza as we used to," said Parag Patel a manager at Bill's. "We're hurting all over, but thank God Friday and Saturday is helping us."

Bill's has been open since the mid 1970s on Beacon Street in Newton Centre. When the pandemic hit in March last year, Patel said the reduced hours and had to stop the weekend music events, but they were able to ensure no one was laid off.

"Luckily because we've been in business so long we're still afloat because of our loyal customers," Patel said.

He said the restaurant used to rely on catering orders from businesses and schools, such as Boston College, but with no businesses and Boston College practically closed, it's cut into the restaurant's revenues.

"People are just still afraid to eat out," he said.

Patel said delivery is even down on the weekends. Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. they used to need three drivers Thursday through Saturday, but because the demand is low, they only need two for the time being.

Patel said he's grateful that residents have supported the restaurant and hopes they continue.

"Just, continue to support the local brand — whether it's us or Sweet Tomatoes— more than the chains as much as possible," he said. "It will help us keep our staff."

Locally owned pizza places in and near Newton may offer specials during National Pizza Week, which runs Jan. 10-16 in 2021. But more than anything right now, it's a moment to go support your favorite pizza shop. If you can walk over and pick it up in person, rather than delivery, even better for them, but they all offer curbside and delivery.

We asked Patch readers what their top Newton Pizza spots were, and here's what they came up with:

• Bills Pizzeria
• Sweet Tomatoes
• Newton Center Town Pizza
• The Landing Pizza & Kitchen
• D&A House of Pizza
• Newtonville Pizza
• 4 Corners Pizza
• BrickFire Pizza
• Stone L’Oven Pizza
• Max and Leo’s

It's not clear how National Pizza Week came to be, but it's always held on the second full week of January. The similar “National Pizza Day” is set for Feb. 9, according to the National Day Calendar.

Pizzerias have not been hit as hard by the pandemic as the restaurant industry across the country as a whole, statistics show. While 60 percent of pizza places have seen an increase in sales, 50 percent of those across the country that did see growth had an increase in sales by 16 percent or more, according to a special report from Pizza Today released in November.

An increased demand for delivery, which the industry already had a prime focus on, has mostly helped the nation’s largest pizza chains during pandemic-related stay-at-home orders.

Domino’s brought in the most money among pizza chains during the first half of 2020, generating $240 million in net income, a 30 percent increase from the previous year, Fortune reported, citing data from Bloomberg Intelligence. Papa John’s and Pizza Hut are among the others reporting the next highest financial gains during the pandemic.