Dorchester, Boston, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Sally’s Apizza, a renowned pizzeria originating from New Haven, is set to open its first Boston location in Dorchester. The opening event is scheduled for Tuesday evening at the South Bay Shopping Center, with reservations required for the night. Normal operations, including takeout and delivery, will commence on October 7. The Dorchester restaurant features a broader menu than its original location and aims to recreate the nostalgic charm of traditional pizza dining.
Boston — Sally’s Apizza opens first Boston location in Dorchester
Sally’s Apizza is opening its first Boston location in Dorchester. The new restaurant will hold a grand opening event Tuesday evening at the South Bay Shopping Center. Reservation is required for the opening night, but normal takeout and delivery options will start on Oct. 7. The Dorchester restaurant is located at 9 District Ave in the South Bay complex.
Key details
The space for the Dorchester restaurant was previously occupied by Wahlburgers, which closed its Dorchester location in 2024. The new Sally’s Apizza aims to recreate the old-school charm of its famous New Haven location with oak wood-paneled walls and red-and-white checkered tile ovens. The original New Haven location has a limited menu of pizza and salads. The Dorchester location offers an expanded menu that includes: Charred, thin-crust pizza; Pasta entrees; Coal-fired sandwiches; Desserts; Cocktails.
The Dorchester location will have indoor seating for 138, including a bar area, and outdoor seating for an additional 48 patrons. The restaurant will provide dine-in, takeout and delivery services, with reservations required for the opening-night event and regular takeout and delivery beginning on Oct. 7.
Background and reputation
Sally’s Apizza traces its origin back to 1938 on Wooster Street in New Haven, founded by Filomena Consiglio. The establishment was managed by Consiglio’s son, Sal, until his death in 1989. Sally’s is known for its distinctive tomato sauce and oven-charred crust that has gained recognition as some of the best pizzas in America.
Sally’s first location outside of Connecticut opened in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 2023. The company plans to open two additional locations in Massachusetts by the end of 2025, one in the Boston seaport area and another in Concord, although no specific opening dates have been set. Further expansion plans include locations in Fort Point, Boston, and other areas in Connecticut.
What to expect at the Dorchester site
The Dorchester restaurant will combine visual elements reminiscent of the New Haven original with a broader menu suited to a full-service urban location. Seating and a bar area are sized for moderate volume, and the addition of outdoor seating provides more capacity in fair weather. The menu expansion adds pasta entrees and coal-fired sandwiches to the core pizza offerings and includes desserts and cocktails for full-meal service.
Operational notes
Opening-night attendance will require a reservation. Regular takeout and delivery services will begin on Oct. 7, when the restaurant moves to normal operations beyond the invitation-only grand opening. The business is positioning the Dorchester site as one of several planned Massachusetts locations through 2025.
FAQ
Is Sally’s Apizza opening a Boston location?
Sally’s Apizza is opening its first Boston location in Dorchester.
When and where is the grand opening?
The grand opening is scheduled for Tuesday evening at the South Bay Shopping Center.
Do I need a reservation for opening night?
Reservation is required for the opening night, but normal takeout and delivery options will start on Oct. 7.
What is the Dorchester address?
The Dorchester restaurant is located at 9 District Ave.
Where did Sally’s Apizza originate and who founded it?
Sally’s Apizza traces its origin back to 1938 on Wooster Street in New Haven, founded by Filomena Consiglio.
Who managed the establishment after its founding?
The establishment was managed by Consiglio’s son, Sal, until his death in 1989.
Has Sally’s expanded outside Connecticut before?
Sally’s first location outside of Connecticut opened in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 2023.
Are there more Massachusetts locations planned?
The company plans to open two additional locations in Massachusetts by the end of 2025, one in the Boston seaport area and another in Concord, although no specific opening dates have been set.
What kind of menu will the Dorchester location have?
The Dorchester location offers an expanded menu that includes: Charred, thin-crust pizza; Pasta entrees; Coal-fired sandwiches; Desserts; Cocktails.
What is the seating capacity?
The Dorchester location will have indoor seating for 138, including a bar area, and outdoor seating for an additional 48 patrons.
What was the previous tenant at the Dorchester site?
The space was previously occupied by Wahlburgers, which closed its Dorchester location in 2024.
What is Sally’s best known for?
Sally’s is known for its distinctive tomato sauce and oven-charred crust that has gained recognition as some of the best pizzas in America.
Are there other planned expansion locations outside Dorchester?
Further expansion plans include locations in Fort Point, Boston, and other areas in Connecticut.
At-a-glance details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Sally’s Apizza |
| Location | 9 District Ave, South Bay Shopping Center, Dorchester, Boston |
| Grand opening | Tuesday evening (reservation required for opening night) |
| Normal takeout & delivery | Start on Oct. 7 |
| Indoor seating | 138 (including bar area) |
| Outdoor seating | 48 |
| Menu highlights | Charred, thin-crust pizza; Pasta entrees; Coal-fired sandwiches; Desserts; Cocktails |
| Previous occupant | Wahlburgers (closed in 2024) |
| Founding | 1938 on Wooster Street in New Haven, founded by Filomena Consiglio |
| First location outside Connecticut | Woburn, Massachusetts, in 2023 |
| Planned additional MA locations | Two additional locations in Massachusetts by the end of 2025: one in the Boston seaport area and another in Concord (no specific dates set) |
| Further expansion | Locations planned in Fort Point, Boston, and other areas in Connecticut |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston Pizza Festival Returns This Summer
Additional Resources
- WCVB
- Wikipedia: Sally’s Apizza
- Newstimes
- Google Search: Sally’s Apizza
- Hoodline
- Google Scholar: Sally’s Apizza
- NBC Boston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sally’s Apizza
- PR Newswire
- Google News: Sally’s Apizza Dorchester
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