7's Dan Hausle tracks down the Hub's hottest spots

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The concrete canyon of Government Center offered little relief from the heat for workers setting up a big barbecue festival on Thursday.

It was 97 degrees on the ground, but the guy on the ladder stringing the water supply had it even worse.

“Probably about 10 degrees warmer up there…There’s just no shade out here, you can’t escape it,” said Joe Dalton.

Even before noon it was 95 degrees -- coffee shop owner Mat Caskey took his bike shopping for supplies.

“It’s actually a lot better than walking, at least you get a nice cool breeze on your face so it’s not too bad in terms of shopping,” said Caskey.

You would think the pizza maker at Santarpio’s in East Boston would have it tough working around a 540-degree oven, but the air conditioner kept it to a cool 82 degrees.

“When you open the oven its very hot. We have the AC on so it’s not too bad,” said pizza maker Marlon Rodriguez.

Down in the T, 7News’ thermometer read just 93 degrees, but T officials know it can feel a lot worse on hot days.

“I feel like its way more humid down here than it is -- more people,” said Christina Caiazza, an MBTA rider.

“More people, the congestion, all the people, that brings a little more heat. At least upstairs you can go by the fountain or get under a tree of some sort,” said Andrew Luke, an MBTA rider.

“Outside you get the hot, in here you get the hot and humid, so I don’t know which one is worse. Either way, I’m baking like a hot potato,” said Anou Lovan, MBTA rider.

Underground or above ground, you know it’s hot when the coolest place 7News’ Dan Hausle could find was next to a 500 degree pizza oven.