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#FamilyEats – Kid Approved at 2 Ovens (RIP!)

2 Ovens in Shrewsbury, MA

Editor’s Note: The same day that this original article was published, it was announced that 2Ovens would be closing their doors—fallout from their parent company, Bertucci’s, filing for bankruptcy on Monday. 2Ovens opened their doors in 2012 as the first location for the company’s new concept chain—which never took to fruition. RIP 2Ovens.

Dining out with kids can be challenging especially if the little ones haven’t yet perfected their table manners, but that shouldn’t stop mom and dad from enjoying a dinner without having to wash the dishes. Parents who sacrifice the pleasure of enjoying a restaurant because its too much of a hassle or it creates uncertainty, should not have to skip out on a great meal. Maybe you feel your children aren’t ready for the sophisticated experience at food havens like deadhorse hill, maybe your spouse or significant other isn’t ready for exotic ingredients at places like Baba, or maybe you’re not interested in a chef’s tasting at a restaurant like Lock 50, but there are plenty of restaurants in the region that will fulfill whatever expectation you have to make your family eating experience comfortable.

Just outside of Worcester, 2 Ovens is a hidden gem for family dining. Lunch or dinner at this Shrewsbury institution hailed as a foodie destination inspired by “a passion for brick oven cooking,” has quickly become a place to satisfy the taste palettes of children without sacrificing the adult appetite. With two handmade brick ovens from Italy, 2 Ovens boasts a menu of “brick oven fare,” signature pizzas, shared plates and most importantly, a thoughtful selection of children’s favorites for the kids’ menu.

Each oven is dedicated to its own food selection, with oven one focused on pizzas like the Margherita, the prosciutto, and caramelized onion, and the famous mac & cheese pizza – a pizza topped with sriracha chicken, smoked applewood bacon, spicy paprika aioli, and lemon pepper cream sauce – while oven two is focused on the entrees including the wild roasted cod – topped with olives, tomatoes, lemon pepper cream, bread crumbs, parsley oil, and tangy house slaw with Yukon potatoes – and the slow roasted bbq pork sandwich – drenched in a mustard bbq sauce, cheddar, mixed greens, crispy dill pickles and a toasted brioche bun. These hearty dishes are a fan favorite among the moms and dads that dine at 2 Ovens on a consistent basis. “As a family, we come here often. It is a great place to dine, watch a game, enjoy the evening and satisfy the kids all at once and for the price, we think it’s worth it,” said one mom as she sat across her husband and two children.

The children’s menu, as with most family-friendly restaurants, offers classic “kid approved” dishes like pizza, toasted cheese sandwich – aka a grilled cheese served with Yukon potatoes – and mac and cheese; however, there are options like salad and roasted chicken to balance out the kids’ menu. To add a little magic to every kid dining experience, each kids menu includes a scoop of ice cream. Hey, 2 Ovens, maybe you can add a scoop for moms and dads too?

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2Ovens is Much More than Brick Oven Pizza

The Chopped Salad from 2Ovens in Shrewsbury, MA. (Submitted Photo from 2Ovens)

Fourth of July festivities have sadly wound down for the summer and I think it’s safe to say we’ve all had our fair share of hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad. As we approach mid-July, it’s time to return to healthier fare.

Although 2Ovens is known for brick-oven pizzas, they are actually one of my go-to’s for lighter dishes. If you have yet to stop into 2Ovens located in White City, Shrewsbury, I ask: What are you waiting for?

Upon walking in, you can always, always expect delightful aromas of fresh ingredients baking in the brick oven. I really enjoy the atmosphere because 2Ovens has created a space where anyone can feel comfortable sitting at the bar. Sometimes you just want to be left alone with a cold beer and a pizza.

The “VEGGIES” section of the menu is devoted to roasted vegetables; brick oven broccoli, sweet potato wedges, corn on the cob, and skillet Brussel sprouts – to name a few. These dishes are cooked in Oven #2, (hence the name 2Ovens) with fresh seasonings and tasty dipping sauces, and they each cost just $5 or less.

2Ovens’ salads are what really stole the show for me. The House and Napa Valley Salad are both light and packed with fresh flavors. But, it was the signature Chopped Salad that turned me into a loyal customer from the very beginning. The Chopped Salad includes iceberg lettuce, seasoned tomatoes, cucumbers, Gorgonzola, avocado, bacon, and cucumber wasabi dressing. 2Ovens offers two sizes: a small (perfect for one) for only $5, and a large (perfect for sharing) for $10. Even the small is actually quite large. I typically add a protein. Choose from oven roasted chicken ($3), maple mustard salmon ($7) or Maryland style crab cakes ($8).

These six ingredients pack a ton of guilt-free flavor. I’m not a huge iceberg lettuce lover, but in 2Ovens’ case, the greens are so finely chopped that I don’t think anything else could replace them to the same effect. A small portion of bacon gives each bite a nice crunch. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado are so fresh and juicy that you almost don’t even need dressing. Nevertheless, the cucumber wasabi dressing adds a subtle heat to tie the Chopped Salad together and elevates it above any other chopped salad I’ve had. Out of all of the amazing local options, this is on top of my list when it comes to flavor and affordability. This salad won’t let you (or weigh you) down!

Right now, 2Ovens only has this one location at 84 Boston Turnpike, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they had plans to open more locations in the future since it’s actually an expansion of Bertucci’s. Enjoy lunch or dinner on their outdoor patio while people watching in White City and be sure to let us know what you thought.