I'm so used to that question that when a woman pulled over in her van and yelled to me, "Excuse me," I assumed she wanted directions to Mystic Pizza. Instead, she asked, "Do you realize the back of your skirt is tucked into your underwear?"
Anyway, yes, you can still dine at Mystic Pizza. Excerpt from my travel memoir, Mystic Seafarer's Trail:
Although it’s been more than 20 years since the
release of the 1988 romantic comedy, Mystic Pizza, starring
Julia Roberts and debuting Matt Damon (whose only line, "Mom, do you want my
green stuff?" was said while eating lobster), visitors still flock to the
restaurant that inspired it.
The Zelepos family, owners of Mystic Pizza, state, “Incredibly, our little
pizza shop caught the eye of screenwriter Amy Jones, who was summering in the
area. Ms. Jones chose Mystic Pizza as the focus and setting for her story of
the lives and loves of three young waitresses.” The movie depicts life in a
small fishing village and was filmed in Mystic and the surrounding communities.
The locals will never forget the day that Hollywood
came to town—just ask Mystic shopkeepers and waiters what it was like to
accommodate the 80-member film crew. Most have a story to tell—how the bridge
operator needed to raise the drawbridge on cue; how local fishermen advised
actors on stringing bait; or how they have a friend whose family moved into a
hotel while a scene was shot in their home. Local racing sailor Katie Bradford
said, “I’m friends with Skip, the guy who was actually steering the boat in the
Mystic River scene. He had to do it lying on his back so an actor would appear
as though he was steering.” Katie also tells how another friend became a local
celebrity—simply because the back of his head made it into the movie!
For those who have never seen the film, they can
have their chance by peering into the restaurant where it plays continuously on
three screens. “It’s on mute—otherwise, we’d go nuts!” confided one waitress.
The restaurant sells souvenirs (as well as pizza)
and proudly displays movie photos, posters and newspaper clippings featuring
the restaurant. The waitresses even have a little fun by dressing up a
mannequin as Daisy, the Julia Roberts character in the film. They change her hair
accessories to match the colors of the season.
More than 20 years after the movie’s release, film
production companies still can’t get enough of Mystic Pizza. Restaurant co-owner John
Zelepos recently received a call from California asking if his restaurant and
family would star in a reality TV show.
