Regina Pizzeria

Regina Pizzeria, also known as Pizzeria Regina, and originally called Regina Pizza, is a regional pizza chain in New England. The company was founded in 1926 by Luigi D'Auria in Boston's North End neighborhood.^[1] It has been run by the Polcari family since 1956.^[2] The chain is a part of Boston Restaurant Associates and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.^[3]

Regina Pizzeria
Original pizzeria in the North End of Boston
Restaurant information
Established	1926; 99 years ago (1926)
Food type	Italian, pizzeria
Dress code	Casual
Location	United States

The Regina Pizzeria's first location, at 11 1/2 Thacher Street in Boston's North End, is the best known. The company also boasts that it makes its sausage and dough daily from fresh ingredients.^[4]

History

Location in Quincy Market in Boston

Regina Pizzeria was established in 1926 by Luigi D'Auria, originally under the name Regina Pizza ("Queen Pizza" in Italian).^[1] It is located at 11 1/2 Thacher Street in Boston's North End, and is Boston's oldest pizzeria.^[2] When D'Auria died he left the restaurant to his grandson, Luigi D'Auria. In 1956, the grandson sold Regina Pizza to the Polcari family, who have operated the restaurant since.^[1]

In May 2015, the parent company filed for bankruptcy protection, closing four underperforming locations (Emerald Square Mall in North Attleborough; Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua; Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester; and the Arsenal Project Mall in Watertown) and saving $70,000 a month. They hoped to renegotiate leases at Independence Mall in Kingston, Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, and Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough.^[5][6]

In 2018, Regina Pizzeria was declared the best pizza restaurant in the United States by TripAdvisor. However, a Boston Globe critic pointed out that this is partly due to fame rather than quality.^[7]