Alfonso’s Family Trattoria & Gourmet Pizzeria

Alfonso’s Family Trattoria &
Gourmet Pizzeria
99-101 West Main Street, Somerville
908-526-0616

Hours: Mon, 11 am-9 pm; Tues-Sat, 11 am to 10 pm; Sun, 11 am-9:30 pm

Price: $/$$

Style: Fresh pasta and pizzas served in a Southern Italian-style atmosphere. A large bar area—that includes a few pub tables, cushioned seating and flat-screen TVs—provides a comfortable waiting area, and you will need it, as this place is always packed.

Don’t Miss: The pizza—there are 12 red and 10 white varieties. Pies come in 10-, 14- and 18-inch sizes. The Meat Lovers pie ($9.50/10-inch) is loaded with sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham and ground beef, while the white Capri style ($8.50/10-inch) is lighter, topped with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and basil. Not in the mood for pizza? Start with the calamari ($8.95), lightly breaded, fried and served with sweet or hot marinara. The creamy penne vodka ($12.95) will not disappoint, especially those who dislike peas in their sauce. Stuffed shells ($12.95) are my go-to dish, generously stuffed with parmigiano and mozzarella and drenched with ragu. Most pasta and seafood dishes are served with a family-style house salad and bread. Other standout entrees are rosemary-garlic chicken on a bed of angel-hair pasta ($14.95) and steak pizzaiola ($17.95), a 12-ounce steak seasoned with plum tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and oregano over fettuccini.

Heads Up: Entrees are half price on Monday and Tuesday nights (dine in and cash only).

The Scoop: Alfonso’s is a Somerville staple. Its founder, Neil Aniello, emigrated to the United States from Naples in 1953. He opened his first pizzeria in Brooklyn and created a recipe for pizza he uses to this day. Aniello opened the Somerville location in 1978, and it is now run by his son Anthony Aniello.