North Station is about to get busy! Both the Celtics and Bruins have made the playoffs, with the Celtics hosting the Atlanta Hawks starting Saturday. And, if you’ve been to games before, you probably know that right across the street from the TD Garden is a Boston restaurant that sells about 300 pizzas per playoff game!
Halftime Pizza
It’s become a TD Garden gameday staple. A stop at Halftime Pizza is often synonymous with attending a Celtics or Bruins game. This establishment is a family business that has been in place for 45 years. Matthew Pasquale is now a third-generation owner in partnership with his brother. He tells me, “We typically sell 200-250 pizzas per Celtics or Bruins home game. It’s expected to jump to at least 300 for a playoff game.”
This spring, both teams have high seeds and high expectations for a big post-season push. The Bruins had a historic season, and the Celtics are the #2 seed in the East. The expectation is there will be an enthusiastic level of pre-game and post-game gatherings. With hardly any tailgating opportunities around a city stadium, local business in the area can thrive on the heels of the pro teams’ success.
Why Halftime?
Halftime Pizza has embraced its place in Boston’s arena event space. Their interior restaurant walls are painted like murals, displaying impressive renditions of Boston athletes and frequent TD Garden events, like WWE Wrestling. There are ten flat-screen TVs on the walls, and a dining section in the back to sit comfortably. You order at the counter, grab your food and drink and move on. Overall, it’s a quick experience with quality food.
Another selling point is the wide variety of beers available at the counter. There’s a selection of canned brews and hard seltzers. But the real value is in the 32oz draft beer. Numerous beer options on tap are available in 20 or 32oz pours. The 32 oz’er is similar to the price of a beer half its size inside the stadium.
Furthermore, Halftime serves quality pizza. You can see the stacked ovens right behind the counter. In addition, the fresh ingredients are prepared to the left of this open kitchen. Pasquale clearly understands how efficiency is of the utmost importance in the Halftime Pizza experience.
Customers don’t tend to stay inside very long. The traffic balances between ticket holders coming in for a pre-game meal or post-game snack.
Slinging 2,400 Slices
Most people order their Halftime pizza in slices on game days. Sticking to the quick and efficient theme. They do not deliver, but are available via GrubHub. However, the walk-in experience is where you will find the in-game spirit.
So, the Celtics are preparing to take the TD Garden court, the Bruins are preparing to take the ice, and Boston restaurant Halftime Pizza is preparing to sell 300 pizzas per game. It’s an all encompassing post-season effort in Boston’s West End. A challenge that all three hope lasts well into June.
