Philly, Boston Take Gloves Off In Sweet Super Bowl Feud

MALDEN, MA — There's a rather sweet rivalry going on between Philadelphia and Boston before the Eagles and Patriots face off again Feb. 4 in Super Bowl LII. It escalated rather quickly, starting with donuts this morning. By the afternoon, everything from Will Smith to "cracked copper bells" were banned in a part of Boston.

First, the donuts: The rivalry has resulted in free Boston Cream donuts for customers at Malden's Donut Villa Diner and no Boston Cream Donuts for anyone at a vegan donut shop in West Philly. (Who's the real winner here?)

Here's what happened: After a West Philly donut shop announced it had pulled "Boston Cream donuts" from its menu and wouldn't sell them again until the Eagles beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Malden donut shop/ diner owner decided to run a counter offer.

"So we heard some donut shops in Philly are no longer serving Boston Cream Donuts until the ‘Eagles win the super bowl.’ Seeing as they’re mom’s favorite donut, we don’t want anyone to wait until Tom Brady retires to get their favorite donut. So, FREE Boston Cream with any purchase starting January 25th until the Patriots win," Donut Villa Diner owner Erin Bashllari posted online.

A self-described diehard Pats fan (see the wall of memorabilia at the diner), Bashllari saw the news about Dottie's Donuts' smack talk in his Facebook feed Monday. He decided he had to do something, though he admits it's all in good fun.

"And, if any Philly fans are missing out on their Boston Cream they are more than welcome to come down and get their fix... Boston Cream beats their Philly Cheesesteak any day," he told Patch Tuesday afternoon.

Ahem.

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And lest you think donuts are the only thing being banned about town, the Esplanade Association announced, with a wink, it is now banning everything from bald eagles to Cheesesteak to cracked copper bells along the Esplanade until after the Patriots make their return to Boston for their Duck Boat celebration. Will Smith and Rocky are included in the "ban" as well.

"We realized that appearing in a Super Bowl for only the third time – and first time since losing to the Patriots in 2005 – was disorienting for Philadelphia fans and that clarity on acceptable items to bring in our park should be offered," Esplanade executive director Michael Nichols said in a statement."Given the Patriots are appearing in their record-extending 10th Super Bowl, we understand this information may not be needed by most park visitors. The Esplanade Association thanks the public for their cooperation with these temporary policy changes."

Donut Villa Diner is open every day from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located at 1 Highland Ave in Malden.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Email this reporter at Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com or follow her on Twitter @ReporterJenna