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There’s a chill in the air, and the latest addition to Somerville’s Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, Union Square) has arrived just in time: Hot Box, laden with comfort food from the team behind Bay Village’s popular little sandwich shop, Mike & Patty’s, opened over the weekend, with limited hours to start. (Keep an eye on social media for scheduling announcements.)
It’s not just any comfort food — it’s a very specific pairing of a North Shore classic and a South Shore classic. From the north, there’s rare, thinly sliced roast beef, served in junior or super sandwich sizes. The former is $7 and served on a sesame roll; the latter is $9 and served on an onion roll. Both, of course, are available in the signature North Shore “three-way” preparation, with barbecue sauce, mayo, and American cheese.
From the south, there’s bar pizza, a phenomenon that can be found at places like Lynwood Cafe and Hoey’s in Randolph, Poopsie’s in Pembroke, Town Spa in Stoughton, and beyond. Fans argue over the exact definition, but bar pizza, which is cooked in a pan, is usually fairly small in size and features cheddar in its cheese blend and a thin, crispy crust that ends in a bit of lacy char. The cheese generally goes right up to the edge and is often well-browned.
At Hot Box, the opening menu includes five pizzas ($9.50 to $13): a classic cheese (with tomato and oregano); onion and mushroom; pepperoni; “whitey” (ricotta cream, onion, pecorino, and rosemary); and dill pickles with ghost pepper.
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Hot Box joins a growing number of vendors at Bow Market. Other food options already open include Buenas (empanadas and more), Jaju Pierogi (pierogi and kielbasa), Maca (macarons), and Remnant Brewing (beer and coffee). Plus, the Comedy Studio is open upstairs with its own bar, Variety, serving cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer. Coming soon: a natural wine bar, Filipino food, a vegetarian version of downtown fry shop Saus, a cocktail lounge/gallery, a chocolate shop, and more. Plus, much of the second floor of Bow Market is inhabited by retail shops, selling everything from cactuses to vintage clothing.
• Hot Box Coverage on Eater [EBOS]
• Hot Box [Official Site]
