Listen up, native New Englanders. Is your tried-and-true Friday night pizza place leaving you feeling a bit flat lately? Do you need some variety in your pizza game to reignite your mozzarella and sauce excitement? Look no further than Diggy’s Pizza in Westford for Detroit-style pizza, chicken sandwiches, smash burgers, and more to jump-start your taste buds.
Like many of you who were born and raised in New England, I’ve never had Detroit-style pizza. I’ve had Chicago deep dish, bar pies, Neapolitan, coal-fired, even the dreaded sushi pizza, but never Detroit-style, which is baked in a rectangular pan with a thicker, but airy, dough that all equates to a tall pie with crispy “walls” instead of a crust. For us purists who like our thinner pizzas with an established doughy crust that we can properly fold and devour, this may sound very strange. I’m not going to lie, it is a bit strange at first, but once you get past the dynamics, it’s quite wonderful.
For my first soiree, I chose Diggy’s “It’s Duato Time!” pie for takeout, which is their traditional red sauce, pepperoni, ricotta, and hot honey. As soon as I cracked the box to take that first peek, I knew I was going to be a fan. At first glance you might think it’s going to be heavy and sit like a rock in your stomach, but that is not the case at all. The dough is thick, but it’s light with delicate air pockets of glutinous goodness resembling a gentle focaccia bread. The sauce has that subtle tang and sweetness that I love and paired well with the salty pepperoni and the honey. I’m still thrown a bit by not having that traditional crust, but those crispy walls of cheese and dough give you enough to be happy.
A pizza joint with a sports bar vibe
Overall, I really enjoyed this pizza and will no doubt add Diggy’s to the regular pizza rotation, especially since it is conveniently located across from Whole Foods, where I spend way too much on groceries weekly. Diggy’s has been open for three years, but nestled as it is in the hodgepodge of business in Westford Plaza—and with its unassuming sign—I had never noticed it. But what they’ve done with their small space is really fun. They’ve done a great job maximizing it and avoiding the stereotypical pizza shop look, heavy on the plastic Coca Cola-sponsored signage. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but this is an inviting place for in-person dining. Brown leather booths, high tops, and even a four-seat bar are all seating options, encompassed by five flat-screens mounted on the east and west walls. With a full offering of liquor and craft beers, it’s absolutely a place where you could post up for a Bruins game with a drink and a pie and not feel like you’re in a pizza shop. The other thing that curates the vibe is the menu, which is loaded with delicious, non-pizza offerings. Burgers and a variety of fried chicken sandwiches are the JV stars, each with its own rotating monthly special. In addition to the pizza, I sampled the steak and cheese sub and buffalo wings. The sub was excellent, packed with ample meat and melted cheese. The buffalo wings looked and smelled amazing, but were disappointing, as I found them to be a bit salty.
Rule 32: Enjoy the little things
You don’t need to be a “Zombieland” fan to appreciate the film’s Rule 32, “Enjoy the little things,” and Diggy’s does a great job at following that directive by doing the little things well. For example, my steak and cheese sub was wrapped in a paper and foil wrapper that actually kept the sandwich hot without letting the roll become a sad, soggy mess. The buffalo wings were properly served with blue cheese to honor the wishes of the original creators in Buffalo. Both of my takeout orders were ready right on time and piping hot. Oh, and the aforementioned sub roll was a sesame seed roll; I just love that touch. But probably most important, on each visit to Diggy’s to pick up my order I was greeted with a huge smile and hello.
I certainly will be going back to Diggy’s to continue my trek through their menu, and I would encourage you to do the same. Remember, life really is about enjoying the little things, so grab a cold beer, give that Detroit-style pizza a shot, and support your local restaurants whenever you can.
Greg Schneider is a dedicated home cook, former bartender, and a devoted patron of area restaurants. He currently blogs about local breweries at The Hotter Upper.
