Beacon Hill itself may not have a regular option for pão de queijo. The nearest specific lead is Kitanda on Capitol Hill, a Brazilian cafe known for serving the cheese bread fresh.

That leaves two routes: head to Capitol Hill for a ready-made order, or check grocery freezers for a version to bake at home. Trader Joe's is one grocery option, and frozen pão de queijo is common enough to serve as a standby, though it is not quite the same as getting it warm from a cafe.

The homemade route is also fairly approachable. Tapioca flour, eggs, and cheese are the core ingredients, and the dough is handled gently because there is no gluten structure to rely on.

A shop on Beacon Hill's main drag may remain elusive. For now, the choices are a short trip for a fresh batch or keeping a box in the freezer for a craving.