The Half Shell will change hands this week, meaning the loss of another cherished, longtime provider of comfort food along “The Avenue” (the stretch of Mass. Ave. between Harvard and Porter squares). The Lagoudakis family, a father, mother and son team, have served up pizza and subs for 28 years, during which time it has been a destination spot for Cambridge police officers on night duty and a go-to for area students and neighborhood families seeking quality gyros, souvlaki, home-made baklava and other items on its vast Greek-leaning menu.
The pizzas featured a thin, New York-style crust, but hey, you could get a gyro pizza. We’ve long been a fan of their subs and omelets as well.
Thursday will be its last day in operation. It follows the venerable Montrose Spa, whose longtime proprietor Tommy Rodriguez sold the bodega and deli business last September after 50 years of operation. That leaves the Harvard House of Pizza, which began slinging pies in 1973, as the area’s last old school holdout.
News of the Half Shell closing this chapter came from several longtime customers friendly with the Lagoudakis family, who [mF1] said the main reason was simply they thought it was time, and they wanted to see more of their grandchildren. The Lagoudakises have run the shop for nearly three decades, but the Half Shell may be even older: city records show it incorporated as a business in 1991.
It is unclear what will replace the Half Shell. Owner/cook Paul Lagoudakis, when asked what the new proprietor will do, said he didn’t know exactly, but his understanding is it would involve sandwiches and similar fare. He was unsure if the name will change. What is clear is that a scant few days remain to get a thin crust slice and bid the Lagoudakises farewell.
A stronger
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