This tiny North End eatery strives for simplicity with its low-key approach to décor and focused approach to cooking. The menu changes fairly often, but you can expect simple Italian food like chicken escarole soup, veal cacciatore and an appetizer of roasted sweet peppers.
“Traditional” Southern Italian dishes “like grandma used to make” have “lots of people lining up” to try this “decent-value” North End red-sauce joint (though diners can make reservations too); it gets “loud” in the “small space”, which is staffed with “helpful” servers.
Phantom Gourmet: “Pagliuca’s in Boston North End is one of those fantastic finds that forgoes the flashy dining room in favor of simple red sauce dishes that are perfect every time. The down-to-earth prices and honest Italian food mean that reservations are a good idea”
Zagat Survey: “Red sauce reigns” at this “unpretentious” family run Sothern Italian trattoria in the North End, where you can always expect “no-nosense”, “straightforward basics done well” (notably ” great homemade past”). So no wonder that those smitten by this “little jewel” highly recommend it
Pagliuca’s Restaurant is another one of the very small Italian restaurants that calls the North End home. Pagliuca’s serves traditionaJoe cookingl Italian cuisine: standard home-style fare with several antipasto choices and many pasta selections. The menu also features some quality seafood or chicken entrees.
If you like nove Italian cuisine, Pagliuca’s will not suit your taste. This is Italian served 50’s style with big family portions, thick pastas, heavy sauces, and big meatballs. The menu is extensive covering not only the usual dishes but specialty preparations as well–fish, veal, shellfish, chicken, etc. The atmosphere is pure Italian kitsch, bustling with Italian and non-Italian families. You might even see a couple of goodfellas sitting in a corner booth. We loved it when we lived in Brookline and we never miss it when we come back to visit Boston. Get there early or make reservations. It’s not only a favorite of Bostonians but also one that attracts a lot of walk-by tourists in the North End.