A few months ago, Backyard Road Trips traveled across the Sagamore Bridge to the Cape (Cod) in the offseason. Actually this happened three times: once to the National Seashore, once to Woods Hole, and once for an overnight in Sandwich and Mashpee. For this trip though, it was back to Mashpee.
Why do I only go to the Cape in the offseason? Is it because I:
- A) dislike crowds
- B) dislike traffic
- C) have nice beaches in my own town
- D) all of the above
Pssst- It’s D.
Back to Mashpee
Call this post an addendum to the Upper Cape Adventure to Sandwich and Mashpee, but I recently revisited the Mashpee portion of this trip and added the perfect family pizza place to it.
To outline: I skipped Sandwich. I love Sandwich, but Sandwich is already known as a destination. Mashpee sounds more like a soup. Or it’s just known for the Mashpee Commons shopping district.
Revisiting the Cape Cod Children’s Museum and Naukabout Brewery, I added a restaurant of best fit (this is a geometry reference). This is emphatically WildFire Brick Oven Pizza.
So first off, with kids, quick is key. I mean I only realized why Friendly’s (actually, it’s not that quick) still exists, since I’ve had kids. And I literally have a closeted affinity for the 99 (pronounced “Nine, Nine” according to my son). So yeah, this pizza joint is not a date spot; WildFire Brick Oven Pizza is housed in a gas station. Granted it’s a Shell, not a lowly Esso or Getty, or thank heavens, not a BP, but still a gas station nonetheless.
Wildfire’s side entrance is almost as if it’s an in-law suite. You don’t actually have to go through the mini-mart doors to get to the restaurant (although you still drive under gas pump bays).
Let’s Cut to the Slice (of WildFire Pizza)
Walking in, I was truly wowed by the restaurant. Tastefully wood-paneled, the next plus came when the waitress offered a bowl of matchbox cars for my son to play with. The decor is throwback 1950s diner-esque. Classic cars and rock ‘n roll guitars. Fender Stratocasters hanging on the wall alongside pictures of Ford Mustangs (just a guess, not a car guy).
Let’s be honest though, it’s all about the food.
So all this decor is lovely, and actually fitting here, but truly it’s about the food. I’ve often complained that it’s hard to get a good pizza in Massachusetts. Granted, growing up in Connecticut, New Haven pizza (Pepe’s, Sally’s) is hard to beat. I’ve had some really good pizza even in my hometown of Norwich. It’s not that easy here in Mass.
WildFire pizza is made in a brick oven. The choices are craftily selected. Basically, this ain’t no greasy cheese or pepperoni pizza. These pies are gourmet. I tried two. The buffalo chicken called “The Buff” and the cheese (oh the palette of a three-year-old…) Both were truly delicious. Like “I shouldn’t have fit in that fifth piece of pizza but I couldn’t bear to let it get cold” kind of good.
The buffalo chicken was perfectly balanced. The buffalo sauce’s heat was there, but not overpowering, enough to be a crowd-pleaser. The chicken and the red onion were dispersed perfectly to achieve the maximum sauce/chicken/cheese/onion ratio per bite. The cheese pizza was also really good. Typically I’ll pass on the cheese and let the rest be for Danny’s lunch the next day. Not this pizza. I had to finish his. Simply a solid pizza, cheese, dough, sauce, woodfired to exquisiteness.
WildFire Brick Oven Pizza was the perfect food stop for so many reasons. Most importantly, the pizza was top-notch, but additionally, it’s a great spot for kids. With quick and attentive service, it makes an easy 1-2-3 punch with Cape Cod Children’s Museum and Naukabout Brewery.
Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza is located 414 Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151) in Mashpee, MA.
Cape Cod Children’s Museum
Danny had just as much fun this time at the museum as last, almost (his best friend wasn’t with his this time). The museum is like a giant playroom. He really enjoyed the submarine that can be climbed into (even by adults, it’s that big), the pirate ship, and fishing area. What’s neat about this museum is that (like a good children’s museum should) it combines play and learning. It seems to kids that they are just rampaging through all these really cool areas. In actuality though, he’s learning about how air reacts to objects, gravity’s effect, and how to play music. For more info click here or here.
Naukabout Beer Company
Naukabout is an inviting brewery located close by in Mashpee. Very family-friendly. In the warmer weather there are tons of games outside for kids (and adults: think big Connect 4, corn hole, etc). In the cooler weather, there are coloring books and crayons. Just like WildFire though, I’m not here to color. The beer is really good. My all-time favorite of theirs is the South Cape Sunrise IPA. Practically all I’ve tasted has been a winner though, including the G.O.A.T 6uice (after the Pats’ sixth Super Bowl title earlier this year) and their ever-changing Tides Voyage series.
Taking the earlier Upper Cape Adventure and turning it into an afternoon in just Mashpee is quite fine. Mashpee is so much more than just shopping and whatever else it may have been known for. From now on it will be known for delicious pizza, superb beer, and a great place for kids. Have fun exploring the backyards of Mashpee!
