Braintree's Easy Pie: Visionary Owner Invents Artisan Pizza Pies, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads and Desserts

During off-hours when his shop is closed, owner/chef Spiros Stogiannis calls his Easy Pie eatery in Braintree, Mass., a laboratory. (www.theeasypie.com).

“Our menu is always changing and evolving,” he says. “I’ve got so many unorthodox creations in my arsenal that are sure to please everyone’s taste buds. There’s just not enough time in the day or space on the menu.”

Spiros, who brings 15 years of restaurant experience to his 4 year-old shop, calls Easy Pie’s offerings “comfort food with refined flavors.” He says, “No other place is like ours and none of our pizzas are like anyone else’s – unless they copy us. And they can’t copy our creativity. I doubt any other crew puts in our love and passion.” Easy Pie stands out due to its oversized servings, superior fresh ingredients, serious food industry staff, and uniquely flavorful food. “We really do think outside the pizza box. Call us a one-store chain.”

“But don’t call it ‘fast food,’” says Spiros. “We’re a hybrid – offering restaurant grade multi-component food in a faster time.” He describes the shop’s clean, modern décor as “industrial chic.”

Because Spiros doesn’t want Easy Pie to be known as a pizza shop, his team gives equal attention to every menu segment. “Our goal is to be the best of the best. “We are not a Pizza Shop. We are an everything shop. We just happen to make GREAT PIZZA” Everything is made with pride by our staff that has a cumulative experience of 50 years in the food industry training and learning from such well-known places as Legal Sea Food, P. F. Chang, Lucky’s Lounge, Dave & Buster’s, and The Chateau.”

Some time ago, an Easy Pie diner anonymously nominated Easy Pie to the Andelmans’ Phantom Gourmet program. Soon after a site visit, Easy Pie was featured and awarded the prestigious ‘Hidden Jewel’ title. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKhBIT6tfms).

At any given time, there are perhaps 20 ‘Signature Pies,’ 15 ‘Signature Salads,’ a dozen ‘Signature Burgers,’ 10 ‘Signature Subs,’ and 6 ‘Signature Dessert Pies.’ “But don’t be intimidated by the endless choices. Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong,” Spiros says with his ‘signature’ smile.

Of course you can order a traditional pizza, but the menu displayed on a giant TV screen greets visitors with intriguing names and ingredients that trigger one’s salivary glands. Try the Mac Daddy with ground beef, thousand island sauce, onions, pickles and lettuce. (“It’s a Big Mac dressed as a pizza,” says Spiros.)

Or how about the Fully Loaded – with house-made ‘smashed potatoes,’ crispy rand chicken and bacon, topped with chives, drizzled with a spice infused sour cream. Or try the Lord of The Rings pizza topped with house-made BBQ pizza sauce, shaved steak, thick-cut panko onion rings, topped with chilled diced pickles and a BBQ drizzle. Guaranteed you won’t be able to finish any large size by yourself. But that’s okay. Take some home to enjoy later. (It won’t even occur to you to share it!) “Oh, and please note that almost all the items on Easy Pie’s menu can be prepared gluten free,” Spiros adds.

Maybe someone in your party wants a burger. Choose from over a dozen varieties that you’ve never seen or tasted anywhere else. Made with 10 ounces of fresh beef (never frozen), Easy Pie Signature Burgers feature fresh veggies and toppings that range from house-made chili to Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese. How about a Sin-A Burger, that comes served between 2 seared Cinnabons or the ‘Couch Potato’, a house-made meatloaf sandwich smothered in gravy, topped with fried onion strings and cheddar cheese over smashed potatoes weighing over one pound. “Our burgers are seared on the flat top and finished on the char grill,” Spiros says. “I’ll put our burgers and sandwiches up against anyone else’s. You haven’t had a burger until you’ve come to Easy Pie.”

In the mood for a ‘Signature Salad’? Go for the ‘Boston Common’ stuffed with mixed greens, fresh cut red delicious apples, Bosc pears, Craisins, and glazed walnuts served with a zinfandel dressing.

Ready for dessert? Signature Pies (no sauce or cheese, of course) include the ‘Smore,’ ‘Chocolate Thunder,’ ‘American Pie,’ and ‘3,000 Bites to Graceland,’ to name a few.

“Whether dining in or for takeout, our customers are invited to build their own version of any Easy Pie Signature item,” smiles Spiros. “But I advise not to do that until you’ve tried all of the varieties that we have already test-driven.”

“I envision that our recipe for success will lead to additional Easy Pie shops in Massachusetts, throughout New England and beyond. Inquiries welcome,” Spiros says.

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Easy Pie is located at 1701 Washington St. (Rte. 37) Braintree, Mass.

(781) 848-8110 (www.theeasypie.com)

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: THEEASYPIE

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 am – 9 pm

Fri. 11 am – 10 pm

Sat. 11 am – 9 pm

Sun. 12 pm – 8 pm - By Stanley Hurwitz

stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570