A pepperoni pizza at Armando's in Cambridge

The Most Reliable Cheap Pizza Slices in Boston

As Cheap Eats Week continues, we celebrate the quintessential cheap food: the slice of pizza, preferably priced at no more than a couple of bucks. Here are 14 reliable selections to eat tonight.

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Jul 14, 2015, 5:23pm EDT

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A pepperoni pizza at Armando's in Cambridge

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Jul 14, 2015, 5:23pm EDT

As Cheap Eats Week continues, we celebrate the quintessential cheap food: the slice of pizza, ideally priced at no more than a couple of bucks. Often, the best cheap pizza is the one down the block — the one that calls your name late at night and doesn't care whether you're drunk and wearing pajamas, as long as you've got some change in your pocket. From Sicilian to Neapolitan to Greek, there's probably a cheap slice in your neighborhood whose honor you'll defend should anyone insult it, even if, in the sober light of day, it's not the prettiest of the bunch.

This map includes tried-and-true, reliable, cheap slices across Boston and beyond, each of which boasts its own legion of dedicated fans. We're capping the price at $3 per slice; the exceptions are places where what they call a single slice is much larger than a typical slice — like at Ernesto's, where it's really a quarter of a pie.

Is your favorite cheap slice missing? Comment below and make a case for it. We're kicking the map off with 14 great local spots, but we'll leave the door open for future additions.

Notes: Map points are listed alphabetically, not ranked.

Armando's Pizza & Subs

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A cash-only Huron Village favorite for more than 50 years, Armando's is open until 11 p.m. daily (and delivers until 10 p.m.) $2 for a regular cheese slice or $2.25 for a Sicilian cheese, plus 50 cents for a topping. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

163 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 354-8275

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Bova's Bakery

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Open 24 hours a day. That's right. Snag a Sicilian slice for $2.25 (cheese) or $2.50 (pepperoni). And all the pretty baked goods you could need at 3 a.m. [Photo: Yelp/Samantha P.]

134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

(617) 523-5601

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Dirty Water Dough Company

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The dough is made with an IPA at this Newbury Street pizzeria, which opened in late 2013. Slices start at $2.75. [Photo: Facebook]

222 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

(617) 262-0090

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Ernesto's Pizza

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Important Ernesto's knowledge before you go: one "slice" is literally a quarter of a pizza. The slices start at $4 for cheese, which is equivalent to a $2 slice anywhere else since you're basically getting two. Head to the cozy classic North End spot or the brand new one in Somerville's Assembly Row. [Photo: A full Ernesto's pie from the Assembly Row location, cut into normal-sized slices/Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

69 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

(617) 523-1373

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Galleria Umberto

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Cash only. Lunchtime hours only. Long lines. No frills. This North End must-try features Sicilian slices for $1.65, plus a small selection of other options, like calzones and arancini. [Photo: Yelp/Roland L.]

289 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

(617) 227-5709

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Il Mondo Pizzeria

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This Mission Hill pizzeria, now with a sibling near Hynes, offers a wide range of pizzas. Slices start out at $2.65 for cheese, while a specialty topping like Buffalo chicken will run you $3.25. [Photo: Yelp/Ju Eun L.]

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182 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115

(617) 262-1700

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La Befana Pizzeria

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This Allston spot charges $2.75 for a giant slice equivalent to a quarter of a pizza. [Photo: Facebook]

15 North Beacon St, Allston, MA 02134

(617) 987-0086

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Leone's Subs & Pizza

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The pizza is "fit for a king," declares this Somerville pizzeria, which opened in 1954. The specialty is Sicilian-style pies; grab a slice of cheese for $2. Cash only. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

292 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

(617) 776-2511

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Newtowne Grille

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Nearing its 50th birthday, this essential Porter Square bar offers a large cheese pizza with a pitcher of beer starting at $11.99. Go to the adjacent takeout side if you're looking to grab slices — $1.50 for cheese and $1.75 for pepperoni. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

1945 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

(617) 661-0706

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Penguin Pizza

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This popular Mission Hill spot offers slices starting at $3.50 — and like at Ernesto's, these giant slices are a quarter of the pie. [Photo: Yelp/Vivian C.]

735 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

(617) 277-9200

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Pino's Pizza

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One of several beloved spots on this map that has been open for more than half a century, Pino's delights Cleveland Circle residents until 1 a.m. daily. Slices are $2.50 (for regular as well as Sicilian) for cheese and $2.75 for pepperoni. [Photo: Yelp/Joey C.]

1920 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02135

(617) 566-6468

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These Are 16 of Boston's Most Iconic Pizzerias

Pinocchio's

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Open until midnight on Sunday, 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Pinocchio's is a very familiar spot to pretty much anyone who has ever lived in the vicinity of Harvard Square. Regular and Sicilian slices go for $2.80. [Photo: Facebook]

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Cambridge, MA

(617) 876-4897

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Rock City Pizza

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Open until 11 p.m. nightly, this Allston spot serves up slices from $2.25 to $2.75, depending on the topping. Plus, there are subs named for rock bands and plenty of space for dining in. [Photo: Yelp/Vivian C.]

568 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

(617) 782-7625

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