"Bertucci's with Jon Gabrus and Carl Tart (live)" is Episode 352 of Doughboys, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Bertucci's with Jon Gabrus and Carl Tart (live)" was released on June 2, 2022.
"Tomorrow... with Jon Gabrus and Carl Tart" - @doughboyspod
Synopsis[]
Jon Gabrus (Action Boyz, High and Mighty) and Carl Tart (Grand Crew, The Flagrant Ones) join the 'boys to discuss sit-down pizzerias before a review of Bertucci's. Plus, a special tribute, and another edition of Snack or Wack.
Recorded live at The Wilber in Boston, MA on May 7, 2022.
Nick's intro[]
"A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn. It can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow."
Ovid
These are the words of Ovid, a Roman poet whose work stands alongside the masters, Virgil and Horace, and is no doubt the most significant resident of the town now known as Sulmona, Italy. The second-most important Sulmonese was Pope Innocent VII, though his papacy was brief and insubstantial, a two-year term presiding over the disastrous Western Schism. And the third-most important inhabitant of Sulmona may very well be Joseph Crugnale, whose family immigrated to Boston during his childhood.
Growing up around the restaurant industry, Crugnale found success in the business in his twenties, and in 1981, he launched his own Italian-American concept, inspired by the brick pizza ovens in his grandmother's Italian hometown. The chain stayed local to The Commonwealth during the Reagan years, and then grew into neighboring states in the '90s and 2000s. Like many sit-down chains, it's been hit hard by recent events and filed for bankruptcy in 2018, before being bought off the scrap heap by Robert Earl, owner of Planet Hollywood, Buca di Beppo, and a stable of indefensible celebrity ghost kitchens.
But even in its current state, the osteria remains a Bay State institution, and one could say that, by daring to take a risk and in due time, reaping the rewards, Crugnale lived the advice of his fellow Sulmonese, Ovid: "chance is always powerful / let your hook be always cast in the pool where you least expect it / there will be a fish."
This week on Doughboys, Bertucci's.
Fork rating[]
| guest / host | ordered | rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger |
|
2.5 forks |
| Mike Mitchell |
|
5 forks |
| Jon Gabrus | - | 2.5 forks |
| Carl Tart |
|
3.75 forks |
| shared |
|
Tribute to Brigham's[]
Boys II Men "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday"
| “ | How dough I say goodbye To my favorite ice cream shop? |
” |
–Mike Mitchell & Mike Dorfman | ||
If you would like to watch the video made for this song, you can see it on twitter here.
Snack or Wack[]
In Snack or Wack, the Doughboys try a snack item and decide if it is good or bad.
Brigham's Peppermint Stick Ice Cream
For this episode, in honor of Mitch's favorite ice-cream shop, Brigham's, closing (see the tribute above), they try Brigham's Peppermint Stick Ice Cream.
Gabrus says it's like brushing your teeth with milk. Nick says it's too minty, but does like it. Carl also is not a fan of minty ice cream.
| guest / host | rating |
|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | mild Snack |
| Mike Mitchell | Snack |
| Jon Gabrus | Wack |
| Carl Tart | Swack |
Roast Spoonman[]
Boston Red Sox
| “ | The Boston Crusty Sox | ” |
–Cory | ||
Quotes[]
| “ | You guys think I'm on drugs. I ate a spoonful of hot salsa. | ” |
–Mike Mitchell | ||
| “ | Do you think hot honey is confusing for bees? | ” |
–Mike Mitchell | ||
| “ | After this tour is over, I gotta get my life together. | ” |
–Jon Gabrus | ||
The Live Feedbag[]
| “ | Is there a food you prefer in their healthier form? | ” |
–Amy | ||
| guest / host | preferred healthier version |
|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | 2% cottage cheese > 4% cottage cheese |
| Mike Mitchell | boiled shrimp/shrimp cocktail over fried shrimp |
| Jon Gabrus | cauliflower pizza crust |
| Carl Tart | regular green juice over Hi-C Ecto Cooler
steak over country-fried steak |
| “ | If you could only have one dipping sauce for the rest of your life, what would it be? | ” |
–Hayley S | ||
| guest / host | dipping sauce for life |
|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | ranch
Tapatio Hot Sauce |
| Mike Mitchell | ranch |
| Jon Gabrus | sour cream
Crystal Hot Sauce |
| Carl Tart | ranch
Texas Pete Hot Sauce |
| Emma Erdbrink | cum |
| “ | If you were to be reincarnated as a food mascot, which mascot would you be? | ” |
–Chris | ||
| guest / host | food mascot to be |
|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | Sexy Hamburglar |
| Mike Mitchell | Grimace |
| Jon Gabrus | Kid Vid from BK Kids Club |
| Carl Tart | Jaws from BK Kids Club |
Photos[]
