Irene and Darren Bagley-Heath
The Sweet Tomatoes story began in New Haven CT on Wooster Street. The secret recipe found its way to Harry’s in West Hartford. Chris Owens bought the pizza to Cape Cod and started Sweet Tomatoes. First in Sandwich, followed shortly thereafter in Osterville and Hyannis. Hyannis Sweet Tomatoes was short lived on Stevens Street. Chris and his associate kept things moving along in Sandwich and Osterville. 3 Sweet Tomatoes are now open in Newton and Needham and are owned by a previous employee in Osterville. Sandwich and Osterville were sold in 2000 to Keri Yetman (Sandwich)and Merrill Sweet (Osterville.) Merrill expanded the Osterville Menu to add subs and pasta. In 2002 he asked Darren to come on board in a partnership to expand the buisness (East Falmouth) Darren has worked in the Osterville restaurant since that time. In 2007 Irene and Darren took over the restaurant and moved to our new location in December of that year.
Irene, along with her husband Darren, and their three children, love the community for it’s smallness, it’s non-touristy vibe, and of course, the beaches. They love that people know each other and say hello in the streets and the shops. (It’s possible Irene knows your mother!)
Sweet Tomatoes pizza is not a chain. The 7 in Massachusetts are all similar but have there own quirks that establish them as independent operations They work hard everyday to keep their “mom and pop” operation offering the best pizza. They offer a causal, unpretentious eating environment with funny and relaxed staff, and a solid menu.
And where else can you enjoy a delicious lunch for under $5?
Some people have asked why Sweet Tomatoes doesn’t deliver. To them Irene says, “To maintain the quality of the product sitting in a car going to more than one house would cause issues.” And, she adds, “because it is a pain in the ass. Have you seen the price of GAS these days?”
But underneath it all, they know it’s not really about the pizza. It’s about knowing they’ll take responsibility for any screwups, they’ll do their best to give you great food and friendly service.
Irene sums it up best, “I want our customers to walk out of my place feeling just a little bit happier than when they came in.”
Check out our menu here.
