March Madness is a time for basketball, statistics, and hanging out with friends and family. As for many folks around the country, it’s also a time when Acton residents make fast breaks to a dozen pizza places or order a large pizza with their favorite toppings for delivery in between the 67 men’s and 67 women’s college basketball games during the NCAA’s two tournaments.
A team of intrepid Acton Exchange writers including Franny Osman, Meg Stafford, Jeff Brown, Karen “KJ” Herther, and I asked the owners or managers of 12 pizza places in Acton and two neighboring towns the following two questions:
- What are the top four toppings ordered during March Madness?
- What is the most surprising topping ordered during March Madness?
In alphabetical order, here is what our team of writers discovered:
Acton House of Pizza, 494 Main Street, Acton
I spoke with the owner, Danny Pantazelos, who said the top four toppings most ordered during March Madness were:
- Pepperoni
- Chicken with fresh roasted pepper & onion
- Vegetarian
- Meat lovers (pepperoni, ham, hot Italian sausages, salami, bacon & cheese)
- Most surprising: Pineapple and jalapeno
Acton New London Style Pizza, 555 Massachusetts Ave, West Acton
Franny Osman spoke with Dino Bottos, who owns New London Pizza with his mother, Cassiani Bottos. He didn’t think the basketball games changed the top toppings:
- Pepperoni
- Plain
- Buffalo chicken
- Meat lovers
- Most surprising: He said, “I like that question! I wish I had a good answer for you. Why can’t I think of something cool?” When told that another pizzeria had reported occasional orders for cucumbers on top, he remembered a topping request that fit the bill: “I’ve gotten pickle.”
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, 201 Constitution Avenue, Littleton
Meg Stafford reported, “March Madness is lit up on the screen at Anthony’s Pizza at The Point in Littleton. Aidan Couillard notes that pepperoni has been a consistent top seller, and that aside from that it is the Specialty Pizza that has been selling during the basketball tournament. Mike’s Hot Honey and thick-cut Pepperoni is one, as well as Paulie’s Pie, which boasts baby meatballs; and Nonna’s Italian sausage, hot or sweet peppers, and ricotta cheese. Also, the simpler meatballs and ricotta version has also been a standout. There has not been a particular topping offered for the basketball event.”
Stafford observed, “At 5:15 on a Sunday evening, there are people enjoying slices and pies and salads.” DJ Keller, the manager, said, “We don’t close between meals, so we’re here 11-9 every day.” Stafford concluded, “Indeed, the restaurant is nearly half full before what I can only imagine will come the busiest part of the evening.”
Bella’s Great Road, 59 Great Road, Acton
I spoke with the Italian restaurant’s chef, Mike Simard, who said the top four pizza toppings ordered during March Madness were:
- Pepperoni
- Mushrooms
- Sausage
- Shrimp
- Most surprising: Bolognese sauce.
Bravo Pizza, 1233 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough
I spoke with the owner, Simon Exerhopulos, who said the top four pizza toppings ordered during March Madness were:
- Cheese
- Pepperoni
- Sausage & mushrooms
- Chicken
- Most surprising:
During March Madness, the most surprising topping was eggplant. But he added, if you consider any time of the year, then it was spaghetti.
DiCapri Pizzeria, 576 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton
Franny Osman spoke to the cashier Suellen, who said, “The most popular toppings at DiCapri this weekend were the usual:”
- Chicken bacon ranch
- Pepperoni
- Meat lovers
- Veggie special, which has onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and mushrooms
- Most surprising: “There were no surprising pizza orders this weekend, but someone once ordered cucumbers on their pizza.”
Junior’s Pizza, 481 Great Road, Acton
Jeff Brown submitted the following observations:
“I stood alone at the foul line. The game was tied, one second left. The capacity crowd was delirious. If I made this shot, I would forever be a hero. If I missed…. I wiped the sweat from my face and dried my hands on my shorts. I stared at the basket. I brought the ball up to my chest, ready to shoot, and then SMACK! a piece of pepperoni pizza slapped me on the side of my face…”
“I woke up. The anxiety of the game disappeared but was quickly replaced by an intense craving for pizza. Luckily, there is a pizza parlor down the street. I got up and started walking. I opened the front door and was greeted by the smiling face of Ricardo Montiero, the owner of Junior’s Pizza. He worked at Junior’s under previous owners and four years ago he bought it.”
Brown reported, “He hasn’t noticed a particular uptick in business during March Madness, but he did share his most popular toppings. In first place is cheese pizza, popular with adults and the usual starter pizza for kids. Pepperoni is second, followed by veggie pizza. In fourth is ‘Meat Lovers’ made of tomato sauce, bacon, hamburger, pepperoni, sausage, and mozzarella.”
Brown concluded, “Ricardo could not think of any extraordinary requests for toppings.”
Romano Pizza and Pasta, 168 Great Road, Acton
I spoke with Adson and Gervane, who said the top four pizza toppings ordered during March Madness were:
- Pepperoni
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Most surprising (during March Madness): Anchovies
Sal’s Pizza, 25 King Street, Littleton
Meg Stafford reported, “The iconic North End Pizza, Sal’s, has a branch in Littleton at the Mobil Station, and Charlie Hemmis reports that it has been a lot busier lately. He notes that it is not so much specific toppings as particular types of pizza that have been carried out the door of late. The chicken/bacon/ranch pizza has been hot, as well as the meat lover’s pizza, which includes ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and mozzarella. Separately it is the classic cheese pizza and pepperoni as a topping which have been selling. Hemmis has also observed that people are asking for thin crust pizza, which means that [the chefs] take the dough for a medium pizza, and spread it out to fit a large pizza, thereby noticeably thinning the crust.”
Stafford added, “garlic knots have also been very popular, as well as calzones. Along with coworker Aaron Huffman, they staff this small but vibrant shop, ready for what March Madness has to deliver.”
Sorrento’s Pizzeria, 251 Main Street, Acton
I spoke with Bruno Rocha, who said the top four pizza toppings ordered during March Madness were:
- Spicy chicken fingers
- Sorrento’s (grilled chicken & broccoli in white sauce)
- Tortellini Pizza (cheese tortellini pasta with pesto sauce)
- Cheese
- Most surprising: Pineapple
Sweet Tomatoes Pizza, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton
Karen “Kj” Herther spoke with Gracie at Sweet Tomatoes. Their top four March Madness toppings (no special order):
- Veggie
- Pepperoni
- Peppers and Mushroom
- Chicken
- Most unique order: “Sweet and smoky” pizza with red sauce, gouda cheese & apples
T.C. Lando’s, 297 Main Street, Acton
Franny Osman spoke with Chris, who said that orders during March Madness were no different than usual. The most popular toppings were:
- Pepperoni
- Pepper
- Onions
- Sausage. He thought a while before saying, “Sausage is always popular.”
- What was the biggest surprise topping asked for? He shrugged and said, “Nothing surprises me anymore. I’ve been cooking forever.” He called across the store, “Hey, Amigo, what’s the weirdest topping someone’s ordered this weekend?” No one could think of one. Then, Chris said, “I dunno, eggplant.”
Analysis of observations and evaluation of data collected
The top four toppings ordered during March Madness are:
- Pepperoni (11 out of a total of 12 pizza places)
- Chicken (7 out of 12)
- Meat lovers (5 out of 12)
- Sausage (3 out of 12)
- But the most significant finding is the wide variety of toppings that were in the top four at different pizza places.
Now, if this was a thesis for a master’s or doctoral degree, then this significant research project would require in-depth exploration. Why? Because the current research we’ve conducted is insufficient to meet the rigorous standards of a graduate-level thesis.
Next year, we’ll have to get a little more serious about our testing, including trying out some of those interesting combinations!
Greg Jarboe is a frequent contributor to the Acton Exchange and is the Senior Center beat reporter.