There was great excitement in East Boston a few weeks back when Santarpio’s Pizza announced for the first time in the restaurant’s more than 100 year history it would start delivering its famous pizzas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, after a successful run with deliveries the Santarpio Family announced it would close their Eastie and Peabody locations out of an abundance of caution and to protect its staff and customers from falling ill.
“Over the past few weeks, it has been a pleasure providing our customers with pick-up and delivery services, in the hopes that a warm meal helped provide some comfort during these difficult times,” said the Santarpio Family in a statement. “Effective (immediately), Santarpio’s Pizza will be temporarily closed until further notice. The health and well-being of our customers, employees, community, friends, and family are our top priority, and we believe that voluntarily closing our doors will help protect our community and flatten the curve.”
The Santarpio Family said they will continue to assess the situation, and look forward to reopening and welcoming back its valued customers in the near future.
“Thank you for your support during these past weeks,” continued the statement. “We look forward to seeing you again when this passes. Stay safe and healthy.”
The no-frills pizza joint that serves up pizza and BBQ lamb, sausage and steak tips is known for its long lines of hungry patrons waiting to feast upon the fare that has made it a staple in Eastie and beyond.
However, the COVID-19 outbreak has made Santarpio’s and other local restaurants shift to take out and delivery operations as dine-in service was suspended throughout Boston and the state.
However, while some restaurants remain open for takeout and delivery, Santarpio’s is not unlike other restaurants in the neighborhood that made the switch to takeout and delivery only to reassess that move weeks later as the pandemic ramped up locally.
Prior to closing Santarpio’s had been donating pizzas to those on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 outbreak as well as organizations feeding those in need.
The family donated to the Fire Departments in East Boston, the officers at District A-7 and the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen as well as the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.