Julie Ann Vera | 210SA Boston's: The Gourmet Pizza offers a comfy place to sit down with a piping hot slice of pie.

Pizza and beer, pizza and beer: Life staples! It's great to find a place that meshes the two so well, along with TVs to watch the games on and breezy patios to enjoy the perfect weather (at least until late May). Enter Boston's: The Gourmet Pizza, which will be opening another location here later this year. Yes, it's a chain, but it's not as played out as the other chain restaurants are. This one still has the new-chain smell.

WHAT: Boston's: The Gourmet Pizza

WHERE: 1827 North Loop 1604 E.; (210) 576-1300; bostonsgourmet.com

HOURS: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday

TASTE SENSATION: As the name indicates, Boston's specialty is pizza, and the choices are extensive. Go for anything veggie to anything meaty on the menu, or build your own. The keys to the yumminess of these pies are the homemade sauce and perfect crust. You won't be leaving these crusts on the side or your plate. Find an array of pastas, burgers, salads, ribs and other dishes if you're one of those weird non-pizza-lovers we mentioned in another edition of 210SA. There's also an extensive fruity-drink and dessert menu to top it all off. The prices are pretty average chain-restaurant prices, with a medium pizza with several toppings coming in at about $20.

TUMS-WORTHY: The pizza could've been a little hotter when it was served. It's not served in the pan where it was cooked but on a pretty plate, which makes for easier serving, but the pizza wasn't piping hot; the cheese wasn't bubbling. And that could make a difference in the taste. Also, if you're a smoker, don't bother coming to hang out in the bar, though you can smoke on the patio.

THE 210 TAKE: Boston's is a really comfy, low-key place where you can enjoy a meal, watch the Spurs game, or linger over drinks on the patio. Happy hour takes place Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and again 9 p.m.-11 p.m. and on Fridays 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The drink specials are pretty good, ranging from $2.50 for domestic pints, $3.50 house wine, $4 margs and $6 Boston-sized margs. Also during happy hour, catch bargain-priced apps such as $2 bean and cheese nachos and $5 individual one-topping pizzas. Bring a date or a buddy or the fam, and dress up or down, your choice. Boston's will be happy to accommodate.

Julie Ann Vera | 210SA