PRINCE PIZZERIA & GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB SAUGUS MA

It's Saturday night and we're still checking out Rt 1 Pizza spots. Tonight it's an old favorite of mine The "Leaning Tower" Prince Pizzeria and Giggles Comedy Club 517 Broadway Saugus MA. http://www.princepizzeria.com/

I've been coming here since I was a kid. Probably my favorite pizza as comfort food place to go. They also have a full assortment of pastas and Italian specialties. Still run by the Castraberti family since 1961.

A great part of my college years was spent here on a weekend night listening to the Zaitchik Brothers Band (who at the time fetured Matt "Guitar" Murphy later a member of the Blues Brothers Band and played in the Movie). Also a favorite were the Cochran Brothers who as it turns out are cousins of mybeloved Karen. W spent many a night listening and singing along while eating pizza and drinking plenty of beer. The drinking age was lowered to 18 when I turned 18 so I spent mty college years footloose and carefree. The age was returned to 21 when i turned 21. An experiment gone bad i guess. As Dean Wormer once said "drunk and stupid is no way to go through life."

 

Tonight we met Diane and Steve in a part of the restauraunt known as Giggles Comedy Club. They have two seating's a night and serve a full menu. The feature comic was the great Lenny Clark.

We had to get a pitcher of beer for nostalgic reasons.

 

My favorite pizza is meatball. They serve a round baked pan style pizza that has a soft but crispy crust.

 

The girls decided it would be boys choice tonight. Steve chose the "Ask Jeff Special" featuring "Bianco Famous" Italian Sausage, pepperoni, meatball and bacon. A meat lovers delight. Bianco is a meat distributor in Revere MA. Karen and I like to go there for sausage and steak tips. They have the best around.

 

Both pies were awesome and we even ordered a second "Ask Jeff Special" just before the show began.

All the comics were fun and entertaining. It turns out Lenny Clark's brother is connected with Giggles and met us at the door. A gracious host to say the least. Serving staff was attentive for the large crowd and meals arrived timely and hot.

Lenny Clark was a riot and kept the whole house in stitches. He is as sharp as ever and mentioned he was headed to the west coast this week to shoot a TV pilot.

The evening came to an end and we left. I stopped to take a picture of the stage and as I was walking out there was Lenny himself who extended his had in greeting. He was then surrounded with ladies to take pictures with so I took my leave. Karen asked where I was so I nonchalantly said " oh just taking a picture of the stage and chatting with Lenny".

Gang....The Prince is like an old home to me. I'll always come back and enjoy the good food and great hospitality.

But then again when it comes to the Prince I'm far from impartial.

ANGELA'S COAL FIRED PIZZA SAUGUS MA

We are back again in a new month and we are focusing on Route 1 North pizza places.

Our first is a favorite called Angela's Coal Fired Pizza 880 Broadway Saugus MA. http://www.angelascfp.com/

Karen and I picked up Diane and headed to Route 1 North. In the front of a small strip mall is our destination. We got in just at the right time as our wait for a table was only about 5 minutes. This is a casual place. Open and bright with a small bar area. Staff was friendly and prompt. They cook here in coal fired ovens that reach up to 900 degrees. The thin crust pizza that comes out is cooked quickly and is delicious.

After a round of beverages it was time to order. We decided to get 3 full pizza's knowing we could bring some home.

We started with a favorite of ours which is the chicken wings. Cooked in the high heat ovens they are fall off the bone tasty. Marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, rosemary and garlic and served on homemade focaccia and covered with caramelized onions. Very addicting!

Diane ordered a specialty pie called the "Mushroom Trio".

Portabella, crimini and button mushrooms sautéed in olive oil and burgundy wine over our
truffle mushroom sauce, sprinkled with romano and  topped with shaved parmesan. An earthy taste that we all enjoyed. A mushroom lovers delight.

Karen decided on the "Figaro".

Mission figs with prosciutto and mozzarella, baked then topped with wild arugula, blue cheese,
olive oil, cracked pepper & shaved parmesan cheese. Karen loves figs. The combination of the bitter arugula and the sweet figs really hit home. Fresh tasting!

I decided since they went for fancy I would go more traditional and get my favorite topping - Meatball.

I was eating it and something seemed wrong. Karen said "I think that is sausage!" She called the server over and asked and the server said she thought I said sausage and was very apologetic. I said not to worry as it was fine. The server insisted on making it right and gave us a small meatball pizza to go no charge. Very classy move.

All in all this place is great. I love thin crust pizza and the high oven heat allows the pie to cook fast and the crust to be just the right crispness. So many toppings make for endless variety.

One thought, arrive early or you'll be waiting in line! We will certainly be back!