Cape Cod Café

EricS.

CapeCodCafe-bar

This casual concept is one of the few remaining original purveyors of old-school bar pies in eastern Massachusetts.

With a son on the way and a desire to open his own business, World War II veteran E. James Jamoulis bought the Cape Cod Café in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1947. The bar, like others in the area, served “bar pies,” 10” pizzas cooked in a pan. Today, according to third-generation owner Jeremy Jamoulis, who took over the business with brother Jonathan, Cape Cod is one of only two bar pie sellers left from the pies’ heyday in the ’50s.

CapeCodCafe-cookingMore than 65 years after opening, the business is still known for its original offering: pizza. “We take pride in the fact that the recipe is the same as it was in the early days,” Jeremy says. Second-generation owners James and Lynn Jamoulis were responsible for turning the bar into a full-fledged family restaurant; over the years, menu additions have included salads and sandwiches in the ’70s, homemade soups and chowders in the ’80s and calzones in the ’90s. “But our main focus has always been our famous pizza,” Jeremy notes.

Cape Cod Café owners have always relied on word-of-mouth to spread awareness of the business, but they also take an active part in the community, with frequent donations to local churches, schools and charities (they even give out two scholarships every year). Meanwhile, specials that counteract the economy, such as the “Family Stimulus Package” (three cheese pizzas, a large Greek salad and a two-liter soda for $19.99) have experienced smashing success during competitive times. These principles have allowed the business to expand into two additional locations, in nearby Raynham and Bridgewater. “I think the biggest success—and challenge—is being able to stay in business for so many years,” reflects Jeremy. “There will always be good and bad economic times, but as long as you serve a great product at a good price, people will keep coming back.” —Tracy Morin

25 Comments

  1. gerald gallantReply
    December 28, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    Ronnie noonan was the best pizza cook in the world at cape cod in brockton will never forget that man!

    • Cheryl Noonan-StarrReply
      May 10, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Thank you Gerry!!

  2. EileenReply
    March 20, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Joe D’Arrigo was the best bartender. RIP my friend.

  3. Ed SabinaReply
    March 21, 2015 at 6:27 am

    spent way to many times there, with way too many friends, and way too much fun. Always remember those times.

  4. David RollinsReply
    April 10, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    My first job at 16 and always my favorite pizza. Working there was being part of a family that I haven’t experienced in any job since.

  5. Bill RautenbergReply
    April 11, 2015 at 10:14 am

    I’ve eaten pizza all over the world, and CAPE COD CAFE is, without doubt, the best I have ever had. Congratulations on three generations of family ownership.

  6. Dave MacDonaldReply
    April 11, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    I miss grabbing a pizza and salad at The Cod so much since moving to Maryland. They just don’t have pizza like that down here. It is usually my first stop every time I am back in Brockton though.

  7. Chris NiccoliReply
    April 11, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Moved away from Brockton in ’87, first place I go is Cape Cod Cafe every time I go back.
    Best pizza on the planet period!!

  8. Gary GootmanReply
    April 14, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    i moved to Teaxss and every time we’re back in Mass we go to Cape Cod. I went twice this trip and even took one back to my hotel for dessert that evening.

  9. Gary GootmanReply
    April 14, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    I moved to Texas and every time we’re back in Mass we go to Cape Cod. I went twice this trip and even took one back to my hotel for dessert that evening.

  10. saraReply
    April 14, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    Best pizza around

  11. Brian HorganReply
    April 15, 2015 at 10:02 am

    Im glad they opened up a couple of satellite shops.all serve fantastic pizza and salads.

  12. CandanceReply
    April 15, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    I have not lived in Mass for over twenty years, and the first thing I want to eat when I get into town? Cape Code Café Pizza of course!!!

  13. CandanceReply
    April 15, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    FYI but my brother says that they will ship it to you! I have not checked this out yet but I will!

  14. Dale SampsonReply
    April 17, 2015 at 9:47 am

    I spent all of my teen years there truly the best in the US when ever I visit even if I am in New Hampshire I will drive the 3 hour round trip just to get that good stuff

    • February 28, 2017 at 10:43 am

      The old saying ‘early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ comes to mind as I read this. I am up pretty early and it does help get a good start on the day. It definitely makes a difference!

    • February 28, 2017 at 11:06 am

      There is also a state beyond the state of denial — renouncement. And surprisingly we have many many people even in today’s world who are living the life of renounced joy. They are the very poor of this country, who have no desires left anymore, save the business of getting through another day. But the sages of yore did master these addictions.

  15. Bill Callahan.Reply
    April 17, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    Good food and great service. Unbeatable formula for success. Best of luck for continued msuccess.

  16. John JamesonReply
    April 20, 2015 at 5:09 am

    I’ve been going there since I was a child with my parents. We’d drive from Fall River on Sunday nights. I still meet them there several times each year and the pizza hasn’t changed in all these years. It still has that unique taste and now we can buy it frozen at the grocery store. Thanks!!

  17. BillReply
    November 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    The best place for “za” and a few beers back in the 70’s! had a lot of fun, one of my favorite places to go with my friends.

  18. Wayne AndersonReply
    April 22, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    I grew up about 6 blocks from the Brockton location. Every Sunday night was Ed Sullivan and Cape Cod Cafe Pizza. Went to 1st Lutheran Church [within walking distance] and had pizza in Junior League and Boy Scouts for years. These were the shoe factory years of Brockton and the place was always full of Swedes, Greeks, and Italians. The beer was cold and the food was great and that hasn’t changed.
    I don’t think I ever didn’t take my date there for Pizza. Went to BHS with Jimmy and have kept in touch. My father was a jeweler in Brockton until the 80’s and my fondest memory was Jimmy’s father lamenting to my father about raising prices to $.80 for a plain pizza. He was convinced he’d lose business. I still make the trip from Florida to Hyannis to Brockton for the best pizza in the world. By the way, the idea of selling frozen pizza was mine, although Jimmy thinks it was his.—Wayne Anderson–BHS Class of 1966

  19. Michael J KellyReply
    February 25, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    We now live in AZ but when we visit home we always hit the Cape Cod for pizza. We’ve been going to the Cape Cod since the early fifties. My mom “Ellie Kelly” started working the to go desk in the early 60’s. When I was in Vietnam they would send a couple of pies par cooked and on dry ice a couple of times. I’ll never forget that. The Jamoulis’s are class people. I brag about their pizza where ever I go, I have never found a better Pizza. Can’t wait till this Dec 2018 we’ll be visiting for Xmas.

  20. Jack ColemanReply
    January 5, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    Love your pizza and will always remember the night I was at Cape Cod Cafe after loading trucks at UPS and it came on TV that East Germany opened up the Berlin Wall.

  21. Michelle CarewReply
    April 6, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    i love you guys. period

  22. August 16, 2022 at 6:04 am

    […] Cape Cod Café | Pizza Hall of Fame […]

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