Galleria Umberto (restaurant)

Umberto Deuterio founded Galleria Umberto in 1974 and passed it down to his sons Paul and Ralph.^[3]

The building was originally a church. The New Brick Church was torn down in the 1840s and is known locally as the Cockerel Church because of the shape of its rooftop weathervane. The spire of the church that replaced it was destroyed by a hurricane about 40 years later.^[4] The original rooster weathervane was designed by Shem Drowne.

The menu is limited to a few traditional items, most notably:

• Sicilian Pizza: Thick-crust, square slices known for their caramelized cheese edges.
• Arancini: Italian rice balls stuffed with ground beef, peas, and mozzarella.
• Panzarotti: Fried potato croquettes.

The restaurant is frequently cited by local and national media as one of the best "bang-for-your-buck" lunch options in Boston.^[5] In 2018, the James Beard Foundation designated Galleria Umberto as an "America's Classic," praising the Deuterio family for maintaining the "character of their community" despite the changing landscape of the North End.^[6] In 2022, Boston Magazine named it the "Best Sicilian Pizza" in the city.^[7]