Doughboys Wikia
Advertisement

"Papa Gino's with John Hodgman, Jean Grae, and Jeff Tweedy" is Episode 211 of Doughboys, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Papa Gino's with John Hodgman, Jean Grae, and Jeff Tweedy" was released on July 11, 2019.

Papaginosoundtweet

"Tomorrow... (with @hodgman, @JeanGreasy, and @JeffTweedy)" - @doughboyspod

Synopsis[]

In Mitch's home state of Massachusetts, the 'boys are joined by John Hodgman (Vacationland, Judge John Hodgman), Jean Grae (Everything's Fine), and Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) to review a long-standing pizza chain, Papa Gino's.

Recorded live on June 29th in North Adams, Mass. as part of the Solid Sound Festival.

Nick's intro[]

When most Americans hear "papa" and "pizza," their minds go to disgraced commercial pitchman and botched plastic-surgery survivor, Papa John.

Mike-and-helen-valeriopapag

The Valerios at Papa Gino's

But for residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, they preach about a different papa: the chain founded by Italian immigrant Michael Valerio and his wife Helen in East Boston in 1961.

Known as Piece O' Pizza until 1968 when it adopted its current moniker, the pizzeria developed a reputation as the most authentic slice in the city, earning it the honorary designation of "Boston's favorite pizza." By the '70s, it had begun expanding into a chain, and made a rapid advance across New England in the '80s and '90s, rebelling against the storefront delivery-kiosk model of national franchises like Domino's, and maintaining spacious, parlor-style dining rooms. In 1997, the pizzeria acquired regional eatery D'Angelo sandwich shops from juggernaut chain-restaurant triumvirate Yum! Brands, further ensconcing it as the primo Italian-American restaurant group of New England.

And though it's undergoing a painful restructuring - abruptly closing dozens of stores and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2018 - at the very least, this Papa's brand remains beloved in the Baked Bean State.

And, unlike the progeny of Papa John Schnatter, remains untainted by scandal.

This week on Doughboys: Papa Gino's.

Fork rating[]

Mitch was once asked in a Feedbag question for his thoughts about Papa Gino's. Nick asks him to give it a fork rating, and he went with 3 forks, though his nostalgia for the place was high.

guest / host ordered rating
Nick Wiger
  • cup of water
  • some unspecified small pizzas
3.5 forks
Mike Mitchell
  • Steak & Cheese Hot Sandwich
  • Greek Salad
  • Cheese Breadsticks
  • Lobster Roll
4 forks
John Hodgman
  • Traditional Cheese Pizza
  • Lobster Roll
2.5 forks
Jean Grae
  • Traditional Cheese Pizza
3 forks
Jeff Tweedy
  • one bite of Traditional Cheese Pizza
1 fork

Nick & Mitch went to a Papa Gino's restaurant and they shared their order. John, Jean, and Jeff all just had a slice backstage before the show.

Roast Spoon[]

Papaginosoundroast
The Boston Market Strangler

–Alex Reeves

Quotes[]

You little kids out there, if you can't handle it, get the fuck out of here!

–Mike Mitchell

Glad you're enjoying that seat. Hope it's adequately padded.

–Nick Wiger, to a lady in the audience

I have never had Papa Gino's until today. That said, I am the CEO of the company.

–Papa John Hodgman

John: Tweedy, where are you on this? Are you Burger Brigade or Spoon Nation?

Jeff: I don't know what that means. I think Nick's being a little bit of a bitch.

–Wilco slam

Related Episodes[]

Papa Gino's episodes John Hodgman episodes Jean Grae episodes

Photos[]

Papaginosoundad
Papaginosofficialgroup

Solid Sound Festival official photo gallery shot https://solidsoundfestival.com/photos/solid-sound-2019-photo-gallery/

Advertisement