Massachusetts Pizza Pub in Taunton Puts Spicy Twist on Mozzarella Sticks

These spicy mozzarella sticks in Taunton may have just changed the appetizer game.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after spending more than a decade eating my way around the SouthCoast, it’s that sometimes the simplest ideas end up being the most brilliant. You don’t always need gold flakes, truffle oil, or some over-the-top viral gimmick to grab people’s attention. Sometimes all it takes is seeing a basket of Buffalo mozzarella sticks pop up on your Facebook feed and suddenly realizing, “Wait a second, why has nobody done this before?”

That was exactly my reaction while scrolling on Facebook recently when I stumbled across a post from Smitty's Pub & Pizza.

Sitting there on the screen was a basket of crispy mozzarella sticks drenched in homemade Buffalo sauce with a side of bleu cheese dipping sauce, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it stopped me mid-scroll. As someone who proudly considers himself a SouthCoast foodie, I honestly can’t remember ever seeing buffalo mozzarella sticks done locally before.

Then again, I could have been living under a rock, so I apologize in advance.

Turning a Classic Into Something Deliciously Dangerous

Naturally, I had to call and find out more. That’s when I got Patricia Pagano on the phone, who explained the idea came from keeping things simple and experimenting a little in the kitchen. Her daughter Brittany Smith and son-in-law Jeff Smith now own the family-run restaurant, and according to Pagano, “We took the regular mozzarella sticks and decided to try it with the Buffalo sauce and it ended up being very good.”

A Simple Twist That Feels Like a No-Brainer

Honestly, it feels like Buffalo sauce and mozzarella sticks should’ve been paired together years ago.

The more I thought about it, the more surprised I became that Buffalo mozzarella sticks aren’t already everywhere. You’ve got the crispy coating, the gooey melted cheese, the spicy Buffalo flavor and then the choice of either ranch or bleu cheese on the side. It’s basically the perfect bar-food combination wrapped into one handheld appetizer.

Judging by the reaction online, I’m clearly not the only person intrigued by them. There’s just something about that spicy Buffalo glaze coating the fried mozzarella that feels dangerously addictive. One person, Lindsey Ann, commented, “This is what my dreams are made of,” while Austin “Star-spangled” Boyer added, “Cheese pull on point! Best stixx in the city.”

A Family-Owned Spot With Serious Credibility

What makes the story even better is the family history behind the restaurant itself. Smitty's Pub & Pizza originally opened back in 2004 under Jeff Smith’s parents before Jeff and Brittany officially took over ownership in 2014. There’s something comforting about a family-owned mom-and-pop restaurant that continues evolving while still keeping the heart of the place intact.

READ MORE: Taunton’s Smitty’s Pub and Pizza Gets Surprise Visit From Dave Portnoy [VIDEO]

Of course, many people across Massachusetts already know Smitty’s thanks to Dave Portnoy and his One Bite Pizza Review that helped put even more attention on the Taunton spot. Portnoy handed their pizza an impressive 7.8 score when he visited, which in the pizza review world is nothing to sneeze at.

As if pizza and Buffalo mozzarella sticks weren’t enough, Smitty’s also earned bragging rights after being voted best wings in the area back in 2015. Judging by these Buffalo mozzarella sticks, it sounds like they still know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to "good mood" comfort food.