Welcome to Boston. Whether you are unpacking a dorm, setting up a first apartment, or just figuring out which way the Orange Line runs, one question comes up fast: where do you eat when the kitchen is still in boxes? If you have landed in or near the South End, you are in one of the best food neighborhoods in the city. This guide covers how to eat well as a student here, what to order, how to save, and where Roman-style pizza fits into a busy semester.
Why the South End Is a Great Place to Be Hungry
The South End is one of Boston’s most walkable, food-focused neighborhoods, lined with Victorian brownstones, cafes, and independent restaurants. For students, that matters in practical ways: you can grab a real meal on foot between classes, split something good with roommates without a car, and find quality food that does not require a special occasion or a big budget.
The neighborhood sits within easy reach of several Boston-area campuses, and the transit lines students actually use, which makes it a natural home base for a quick lunch, a study-session dinner, or a first meal after move-in day.
What to Order When Your Kitchen Isn’t Unpacked Yet
For that first week, before the pots and pans are found, Gary’s Pizza at 1744 Washington Street has lunch and dinner covered. The house specialty is Roman-style pizza, made with slow-fermented dough and baked to a light, airy, crisp crust, then cut into shareable squares. It is easy to split with a new roommate and easy to eat on the go.
A few things worth trying:
- Roman-style pizza by the slice or the pie. Order a single slice to try it, a half pie for two, or a full pie to feed the floor.
- Seasonal specials. The menu rotates with the seasons. In late summer, the Summer Corn Pizza brings together corn crema, a four-cheese blend, roasted tomatoes, cotija, and scallions while sweet corn is in season.
- Housemade sandwiches. All come on fresh-baked bread, so they travel well back to the dorm. The lineup includes the Italian, the Prosciutto, the Wagyu Meatball Sub, the Roasted Vegetable, and the Chicken Parmesan Sub, which is served on a sesame roll with pomodoro, Wisconsin cheese, fiore di latte, and pesto. See the full sandwich menu for the current lineup.
- Salads and sides. For a lighter study-night option, fresh salads round out the menu.
- Dessert. Save room for gelato, tiramisu, truffles, or Gary’s Signature Dessert Box for a group.
Menus change through the year, so check the current menu before you go.
Student Budget? Here’s How to Save
Student Discount: Present your Student ID in-store at Gary’s Pizza and get 20% off. It is one of the easiest ways to eat well in the South End without stretching your budget.
It is one of the better student pizza deals in the neighborhood, and it stacks with a couple of other easy wins. Ordering a full pie to split with roommates almost always beats everyone buying separately, and joining Gary’s text list gets you updates on new slices and specials, plus a free cookie on your first visit when you show your confirmation text to the cashier.
Feeding the Whole Floor: Catering for Campus Life
College life runs on group food. Club kickoffs, study groups, dorm move-in, or just getting the roommates together, Gary’s Catering makes feeding a crowd easy. For college pizza catering in Boston, you can choose Individual Packs, the Gary’s Bundle, or build your own order with Roman-style pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
Timing is flexible, too. Gary’s handles afternoon catering for study groups and daytime club meetings, and evening catering for later events, socials, and dorm gatherings, with pickup or delivery and orders timed to arrive when your group is ready to eat. Whether you need an afternoon spread between classes or an evening setup after everyone is back from the library, just share your headcount and start time when you order, and the team will help size and schedule it.
If you are the one organizing, it helps to know what to look for in a group order. Our guides on why Roman-style pizza works for shared meals and what makes it a strong catering choice walk through why the square-cut, hold-its-texture format is built for feeding a room.
Order Online or Swing By for Takeout
Between classes and everything else, easy matters. You can order online through Toast and pick up your order for carry-out at 1744 Washington Street, or just walk in and grab a slice. Prefer delivery? Gary’s is also listed on the major delivery apps.
A few details to make it simple:
- Address: 1744 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118, in the South End.
- Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Thursday through Saturday, 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Phone: 617-858-0101.
Gary’s Pizza is part of Columbus Hospitality Group, a local Boston company, so you are supporting a neighborhood spot every time you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there good pizza deals in Boston for students?
Yes. Gary’s Pizza offers 20% off in-store with a valid Student ID, one of the more straightforward student pizza deals in the South End. Splitting a full pie with roommates and joining the text list for a free first cookie are easy ways to save even more.
What is Roman-style pizza?
Roman-style pizza, also called pizza al taglio, is baked in the style of Rome with a slow-fermented dough and a light, airy, crisp crust, then cut into squares. It is easy to share and easy to eat on the go, which makes it a good fit for busy student schedules.
Can I order Gary’s Pizza online for pickup?
Yes. Gary’s accepts online orders through Toast, and orders are ready for carry-out pickup at 1744 Washington Street. You can also walk in for a slice, and Gary’s is listed on the major delivery apps if you prefer delivery.
What can I order at Gary’s besides pizza?
Beyond Roman-style pizza, Gary’s offers housemade sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, fresh salads, and a full dessert menu with gelato, tiramisu, truffles, and a signature dessert box. Seasonal specials rotate through the year.
Can Gary’s cater a campus event?
Yes. Gary’s Catering offers Individual Packs, the Gary’s Bundle, or build-your-own orders with pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts, which works well for club meetings, study groups, and dorm gatherings.
Is Gary’s Pizza dine-in or takeout?
Gary’s Pizza is a takeout-focused spot in the South End. You can order online through Toast for carry-out pickup, walk in to grab a slice to go, or use the major delivery apps. It is built for quick, quality food you can take back to the dorm, the library, or the apartment.
Where is Gary’s Pizza located in the South End?
Gary’s Pizza is at 1744 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118, in the heart of the South End and within easy reach of nearby Boston campuses and transit. It is a convenient stop for a slice between classes or a full pie to bring home.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Settling into a new city is a lot. Figuring out dinner does not have to be. Whether it is a first-week slice, a study-night sub, or a full pie to share with the floor, Gary’s is glad you are here. Order online or stop by 1744 Washington Street, and do not forget your Student ID for 20% off.
