Who has the best Lake Norman Pizza? Week 3 Results:

Week 3 has come to a close. Here are the results from this week's #LKNFoodiePizzaContest including Facebook and Twitter votes:

Brixx Pizza (Huntersville) :  FB: 3 + T: 3 = 6 votes vs.
Slice House Pizza: FB: 17 + T:7 = 24 votes (WINNER!)
And
Geppettos's Pizza (Denver, NC): FB: 2 + T: 1 = 3 votes vs.
Joey's Pizza: FB:19 + T: 5 = 24 votes (WINNER!)

Next week we'll see Mama's Pizza Express vs. Proscuitto's and Brooklyn South Pizzeria vs. DiMaggiosPizzeria

Voting begins on Monday!

Here's the updated bracket.

Week 2 Results are In!

Since March Maddness is canceled, this is the ONLY worthwhile March bracket contest!😆  Here are the results from the Week 2 competition including Facebook and Twitter votes:

Davidson Pizza: FB 12 + T 1 =  13 votes  (WINNER) vs
Davino's Pizza: FB 4 + T 1 = 5 votes

Pie in the Sky: FB 50 + T 18 = 68 votes  vs.
Turn 4 Pizza: FB 33 + T 0 = 33 votes (WINNER)

The updated bracket is below.

Next week we'll feature Brixx Pizza vs. Slice House on Monday. Then on Wednesday it will be  Geppetto's Pizza vs. Joey's Pizza

Don't forget to vote on https://www.facebook.com/lakenormanfoodie/ and https://twitter.com/lknfoodie

The First Results Are In!!

Here are the results from this week's competition including Facebook and Twitter votes:
Pellegrino's Trattoria FB 28 + T 41 =  69 votes  (WINNER) vs
Sebastiano's FB 3 = T 10 = 13 votes

Brooklyn Boys FB 8 + T 6 = 14 votes  vs.
Tony's Big Pizza FB 14 + T 3 = 17 votes (WINNER)

The updated bracket is below.

Next week we'll feature Davidson Pizza Company vs. Davinos pizza on Monday. Then on Wednesday it will be Pie In The Sky Pizza vs. Turn 4 Pizza.

Don't forget to vote on https://www.facebook.com/lakenormanfoodie/ and https://twitter.com/lknfoodie

Who Makes the Best Pizza of Lake Norman?

From Troutman to Hunterville to Denver, we have a LOT of options for pizza. But, have you ever wondered which is the best? Well to try to answer that question, and to have a bit of fun, I've put together some brackets to help us answer that question. 

And here's the best part. YOU will decide the winner, via polls I'll set-up on Facebook:@lakenormanfoodie and Twitter: @lknfoodie. Voting will begin on my Facebook and Twitter pages on Monday March 2. Vote as often as you can. On Monday and Wednesday a head-to-head matchup will be listed. Totals and winners will be announced the following Friday.

Tony's Pizza (Huntersville)

Last week, two new friends of mine who are from COMPLETELY different circles, both made the same recommendation, "You've gotta go to Tony's!"

Before last week, I don't recall hearing the name before. I knew of a LOT of different pizzeria's but Tony's wasn't one of them. Now I'm wondering why it took me a couple of years to hear about this place...

I ventured to the Tony's in Huntersville, at the corner of Harris Blvd and Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd. It's in the same strip mall as the Food Lion. But there are plenty of other Tony's in the region for you to visit... but the two in the Lake Norman area are in Huntersville and Mooresville.

This Tony's was a standard no-frills pizzeria. The decor isn't memorable, there is no wait staff, and the menu is posted on the wall above the counter. But the place is clean, the booth-like seating appears new, and the staff behind the counter were friendly.

I was warned about Tony's large slices of pepperoni. Undaunted, I ordered two pepperoni slices. I SHOULD have ordered one.

These slices are huge!! One was plenty to fill me up. I took the second slice home, and measured it's length -- one foot (12 inches) exactly. Now that's a slice!!

The crust is nice and crispy, but not overly crunchy. Since this is a huge NY Style slice, it's necessary to fold it so that the slice doesn't droop, and lose all the toppings to gravity.

Speaking of toppings, I was pleased with the choices. The cheese was good and there was plenty to cover the slice. There could have been a little more, but I love cheese, and there could always be a little more. The pepperoni was actually quite good. It was very flavorful, and it was some of the best that I've had in the area. My only complaint is that on one slice there were only 6 slices of pepperoni. I know that sounds like a lot, but the slices are so large, this made the slice almost look naked! The sauce was good. I would have liked some tomato chunks, BUT I understand that the NY Style is supposed to be thin, so I understand the reasoning behind the pureed sauce.

All-in-all, a good visit. They've got a good pizza and the huge slices are a great value. Let's face it, for about $7 I had two meals.... and that's hard to do anywhere!

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9.5/15

Price: $
Kid Friendly: Yes

Conclusion: Huge slices, good food, and a great value will encourage me to visit again. Definitely an authentic NY Style pizza. Next time I might try one of their entrees -- but then again, I'll probably just order the pizza.

Restaurant Info:
Tony's Pizza
Pecan Ridge Shopping Center
9548 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd.
Huntersville, NC
p) 704-394-5677
http://tonyspizza.ipower.com/index.html

Fuel Pizza (Davidson)

I think I've mentioned it on this blog before -- pizza is the perfect food. It's got all four food groups, it's easy to eat (no forks or knives necessary), and it is great at 2am after a night of drinking! :)

Yesterday a friend of mine and I decided to grab a slice or two. But where should we go? I've hit most of the pizzerias in the area. Then it clicked -- I hadn't yet reviewed a Fuel. So, we hopped in the car and made the short drive to Davidson.

This Fuel is perfectly named as it is in an old gas station. It's got a small outdoor seating arrangement, small parking lot shared with other local businesses, and a rough around the edges interior.

We walked in, and looked over the pre-made pizzas. I decided to go with a slice of a pepperoni, a slice of chicken ranch, and a soda. The slices were delivered to our outdoor table, and we dug in. Simply put the pizza was good, but not great.

To be honest, I don't recall ever having a bad piece of pizza. There are some that I've liked more than others, but all-in-all, I think it's hard to have a bad slice.

The crust was thin and the slices were wide. So, I suppose it's sorta a New York Style slice. But the crust, sauce, and toppings all seemed rather average. In addition, to the pepperoni, I was given a slice of Hero pizza, which was basically a hero sandwich on a slice, instead of the ordered chicken ranch. The pizza was ok and I liked the sweet peppers, but it was still the wrong slice.

When we ate, the weather broke and it turned out to be a gorgeous day. So it's hard to say anything bad about the meal. But sadly, everything was just average. I had hoped for more.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 2/5 (docked a point for the wrong order)
Total: 8/15

Price: $
Kid Friendly: Yes

Conclusion: The pizza is good, not great --about average. But an average slice is still good IMHO.

Restaurant Info:
Fuel Pizza
402 S Main St
Davidson, NC 28036
p) 704-655-3835
http://www.fuelpizza.com

Little Caesars (Denver, NC)

My wife and I have a tradition of sharing a pizza with a bottle of wine every Friday. It's a great way to wind-down from a busy week and relax for a bit.

So, when the Little Caesars opened up in Denver, I knew that I'd be stopping by in short order. In fact, since the store has arrived, I've visited MANY times for three reasons: It's good, it's cheap, it's convenient.

Personally, I like the drive-thru option. When I get to the window, I am greeted by a friendly face who asks me for my order. I always get the same thing; a large pepperoni pizza, Crazy Bread, and Crazy Sauce.

And here's the great thing about Little Caesars -- when you arrive and order this, IT'S ALREADY MADE! So you go, you order, and in about 10-20 seconds it's in your car.

EXCELLENT!

(FYI, the only pre-made pizzas are cheese and pepperoni. For anything else you'll need to wait, or pre-order.)

Now, I will say, that when I've picked-up an order during an off-time, I've found the pre-made pizza to be a little stale. But when I've gone during a busy time (Friday 5-7), the place is hoppin', and the food moves fast enough to ensure freshness.

The pizza has a standard crust, not too thin to be considered New York Style, but not too thick to be Chicago style. In addition, it has corn meal on the bottom (used to keep it from sticking), which I always like. The cheese is actually cheese and the pepperoni is good as well. We usually gorge ourselves, and eat waaay too much.

But my favorite thing to order has got to be the Crazy Bread. For the most part, its the same dough as the crust, just rolled into sticks about 1 inch in diameter, and about 8 inches long. They're REALLY buttery and topped with grated parmesean. They're delicious all by themselves. But I really enjoy dipping them in the Crazy Sauce -- which is really just tomato sauce.

All-in-all, there are few deals as good or convenient as this. I get a large pepperoni with Crazy Bread and Sauce for about $8. I drive up, pick up, and start eating when I get home. For me it's about 1/2 the time and 1/2 the price as ordering delivery. A definite plus in my book.

Score:
Atmosphere: N/A (no dining facilities)
Food: 3.5 (Pizza is average, but the Crazy Bread is amazing)
Service: 4/5
Total: 7/10

Price: $
Kid Friendly: N/A. No dining facilites.

Conclusion: One of the best values out there. The pizza is average, but the Crazy Bread is amazing. Definitely worth the trip, and the drive-thru makes pick-up very easy.

Restaurant Info:
Little Casears
117 N Pilot Knob Rd.
Denver, NC 28037
p) 704-827-8585
http://www.littlecaesars.com/

Nevole's Pizza (Denver, NC)

A few days ago I left the Coffeehouse in search for food. Where would I go? There's a Chinese buffet, a Showmars, and a Mid-Town Sundries nearby. It's not often that I find so many new restaurants within a 5 minute walk!

However, I chose to go with Nevole's Pizzeria instead.

When I walked into Nevole's I was reminded of some of the pizzerias of my youth -- the interior is very basic, with few frills. The walls have shelves lined with beer cans serves. There is only one TV, and the furniture has nicks and scrapes. Not really the atmosphere for a date, but the atmosphere is good if you're just looking for a few slices.

The pizza here is done in the New York style. And pizza is really all they do. The menu has subs, wings, calzone, and of course pizza. I decided to go with their lunch special. Two large slices of pizza (I chose pepperoni) and a drink for $4.99. I thought the deal was good. But then I tasted the pizza.

This deal is GREAT!

Because of the plain interior, I was expecting plain pizza. But it's good pizza! Really good! The crust was tasty and I actually ate my crust (which is unusual for me). The pepperoni wasn't too greasy, and the mozzarella cheese, actually tasted like mozzarella cheese. The sauce was a little thin for my linking -- but that's sorta standard for New York pizza so I can't blame them for that.

All in all, a great find. I'll be back.

Score:
Atmosphere: 2/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 10/15

Price: $
Kid Friendly: Yes, as long as they like pizza!

Conclusion: The basic interior hides some really good pizza and fast, yet friendly, service. If you like New York style pizza, you should try this place.

Restaurant Info:
Nevole's Pizzeria
7260 Hwy 73
Suite 118
Denver, NC 28037
p) 704-822-1964

Donato's (Huntersville)

A while ago my wife and I stopped by Panera for lunch. Unfortunately, the store was closed (utility problems). Fortunately, this meant that we got to try someplace new, and we walked across the sidewalk to Donato's.

Donato's is a franchise that serves "pizza, subs, and salads." But they also have things like wings, stromboli, and bread sticks.

After looking over the menu, I ordered a pepperoni stromboli at the register, while my wife decided to be healthy and ordered a pre-made salad. We took our seats and waited for my the food to arrive.

The interior of Donato's is clean, but very sterile. The longer we sat waiting for my food (about 10 minutes), the more uncomfortable we felt sitting there. It just wasn't a place that made you want to stay.

Once my food arrived, I took a bite -- HOT!!!!! This thing was prepared on-the-spot and then thrown in the oven. It was good, it was fresh, and EXTREMELY hot, since it just came out of the oven.

The stromboli was dense, and packed with cheese, sauce, and pepperoni. In fact it was so dense, I couldn't eat the whole thing -- it was just too much to try to ingest! Unfortunately, it was only about average -- sorta like the food you'd get from Sbarro's. It was good, it filled my grease craving, but it wasn't extraordinary. The sauce, cheese, meat, and crust were only OK.

My wife's salad was about average as well. Some of the lettuce was wilted, and there were few additional veggies in it. Again, OK, but not great.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9/15

Price: $
Kid Friendly: Yes.

Conclusion: Average atmosphere, food, and service. Donato's will do in a pinch, but I won't find myself with a Donato's craving any time soon.

Restaurant Info:
Donato's Pizza
10109 Northcross Center Ct.
Huntersville, NC
p) 704-766-1500‎
http://www.donatos.com/

Pellegrino's (Troutman)

Today marks the last day of Pizza Week. And since I posted a recipe this Monday, today I'll be posting a restaurant review.

I decided upon Pellegrino's because a reader mentioned it. Also, it's in Troutman, and I hadn't been there yet. So a couple of hours ago I hopped into the car, and headed north on 77 for about 20 miles.

Pellegrino's is on N. Main Street (hwy 21 and 115), and is behind the Domino's Pizza and the Movie Gallery. I almost passed right by it, but since there was nobody behind me, I slammed on the breaks, and make a hard left turn into the parking lot.

I entered knowing what I wanted, two slices of pepperoni. So I approached the counter, and ordered. The slices were put into the oven to be re-heated, and I filled my cup with soda, and took a seat at a counter facing the kitchen.

As I waited for my slices I looked around. If I had ventured to the left, past the cashier and kitchen area, there is a dining room. The decor is nice, and on your way to the dining room, you pass a nice wine display, and a mural or two. Very nice for a pizzeria.

The slices were done quickly, and I brought them to my table. They're nice big New York style slices. Folding was necessary if I wanted to eat the slice without silverware.

The crust was nice and thin. Slightly soggy in the middle, but that's expected with NY style pizza. There was lots of good pepperoni, a decent amount of sauce, and plenty of cheese. The sauce was nice and flavorful, but I didn't notice any tomato chunks. But that aside, it's probably the best NY style pizza I've had in NC. It's pretty darn good!

In addition, I found the staff and the patrons to be very friendly. I was brought into the conversation a few times -- though I know nothing of Troutman politics. Also, while there I noticed a new pizza go into the oven; and they tossed the dough and made it right in front of me -- it's always nice to see the pizza get made, and know it's fresh.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Total: 11/15

Price: $ (I had 2 slices and a soda for under $6. Meals look more expensive: pasta around $10, and entrees range from $10 - $18)
Kid Friendly: Yes. They have a children's menu and high chairs

Conclusion: I now have a reason to go to Troutman. The pizza was the best NY style pizza I've had in the area. The atmosphere is nice, and the staff very personable and friendly. I recommend you give it a try.

Restaurant Info:
Pellegrino's Trattoria
275 N. Main Street
Troutman, NC 28166
p) 704-528-1204
f) 704-528-1207
http://www.pellegrinostrattoria.com/

Pizza Week: Brooklyn South

Brooklyn South was voted by the readers as one of the local pizza favorites. So yesterday I stopped by to try some of their pizza again.

I'd been to Brooklyn South a while ago, so I was curious to see how I'd rate their pizza. I've noticed that my tastes in food have been modified slightly, since I started this blog. While I still enjoy eating (I LOVE EATING!) I now look at it slightly more objectively, and tend to compare similar foods and restaurants.

So, taking this all into account, I walked in the door. I tried to grab a small or medium pizza. But they only have one size -- Large. (Makes sense, after all, this IS a New York style pizzeria!) So I ordered a couple of slices, since I was by myself.

The Colorado inspired interior always throws me. It looks like a Colorado lodge -- with pictures of New York. But it is clean and there's always a TV within view, a BIG plus for me, especially when eating alone.

My two slices of pepperoni were served on two plates. Each one took almost a full plate. Yup, standard NY style! There was a layer of grease on top of the pizza, so I mopped it up with some napkins. The slices were so large they needed to be folded, and then I took a bite.

The crust was quite thin, and this time the bottom of the crust was slightly burned and charred. I'm guessing this was because these slices were pre-cooked, and then re-heated when I ordered them. The sauce is used sparingly, but the occasional chunk of tomato can be found on each slice. This time there seemed to be a little more cheese than last time, so that's always a plus.

In addition, each slice had a decent amount of pepperoni. The pepperoni wasn't the most flavorful that I've had, but it seems to be real and not loaded with fillers. Another plus.

Brooklyn South appears to be doing well, I was there around 2pm, and there were several full tables. It seems that every other person I meet in the Lake Norman area is from NY, and as long as they stay in the area, I'd imagine that Brooklyn South will continue to do well. Why wouldn't it? It serves a slice of home to those transplants.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3.5
Food: 3.5
Service: 3.5
Total: 10.5/15

Price: $
Kid Friendly: Yes. They have a kids menu, and offer high chairs.

Conclusion: If you're looking for a slice of NY style pizza, this place is for you. The service is friendly and the food is good. Even though the inside may sorta feel like Colorado, the heart of this place is all NY.

Restaurant Info:
Brooklyn South Pizzeria
19400 Jetton Rd# 201
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-896-2928
http://www.brooklynsouthpizzeria.com

Geppeto's Pizza (Denver)

Yesterday I went in search of a Lake Norman pizzeria. After one failed attempt (is Lake Norman Pizza closed for good?), I decided to drive down the road to Denver, where there is a new restaurant called Geppeto's.

This Geppeto's is the fourth of a local chain. With restaurants in Newton, Hickory, and Morganton, it's safe to say that I've never been to any of them. In all honesty, Hickory is the only town in that listing that I've actually been to.

This location in Denver, used to be a BBQ place (I think). But, you can't tell. They've done a decent job decorating and the BBQ origins of the place are no longer apparent.

When you enter the restaurant you are greeted by a cash register and a kitchen. (I'm guessing for the take out orders.) But once I took an immediate left, I was greeted by a hostess to took my friend and I to our seat.

Geppeto's is big. Though there are some booths, most of the seating in the main dining area is with tables. And from the large groups that came through the door, they're used to pushing together the tables to seat a bunch of people. Gepettos doesn't have the best restaurant feel, but it does feel more like a restaurant than a pizzeria. So, that gets a plus in my book.

During lunch they offer a pizza buffet, complete with dessert pizza. I saw one that looked like apple pie pizza. (It looked delicious!) But I decided to go with a medium pepperoni pizza. After all, I'm here to try the pizza, so I wanted to have one made fresh. Rather than go with a buffet pizza that may have been sitting out for a while.

Our waitress took our drink orders immediately. And kept out cups filled the entire time. The pizza arrived about 10 minutes after ordering. So the wait was minimal for a fresh pizza.

The pizza was good. The crust was on the thinner side, so it was a little crispy. (But don't get this confused with a thin-crust pizza.) It's kinda hard to describe the texture, the crust was crispy on the bottom, but the top bubbled a bit. It was the closest I've found out here to the Round Table pizza crust that I grew up with. So, I definitely enjoyed it.

The cheese and pepperoni topping was good, and I was very pleased with the lack of grease. I'm used to mopping up pizza grease with napkins, so it was nice not to worry about it. In addition, the sauce was pretty good. I noticed at least one chunk of tomato, and it was tangy as well.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3.5
Food: 3.5
Service: 4/5
Total: 11/15

Price: $$ (1 medium pizza, two drinks, and tip were about $15)
Kid Friendly: Yes, they have a kids menu (nothing over $5), and high chairs too.

Conclusion:
Good pizza, decent prices, and very good service. It's one of the few restaurants in the Denver area. So, if you're in or near Denver give it a try... and let me know what you think about their pasta!

Restaurant Info:
Geppeto's
7558 Highway 73
Denver, NC
p) 704-822-0080
http://www.geppetospizza.com/

Next Week is Pizza Week!

Next week is Pizza Week on the Lake Norman Foodie. I'll be hitting three different local pizzerias. And I'll try to hit some places that I haven't been before.

But I'll also take your votes into account. So, be sure to vote in the poll that's located in the the upper left-hand corner of this blog, and I'll try to make it to one or two of the top pizzerias mentioned. To try to compare apples to apples -- I'll only be ordering the peperoni pizzas.

So, make your voice heard! And make sure you send me somewhere with good pizza!

-LNF

P.S. If your favorite pizzeria isn't listed, leave a comment below, and let me know what it is!

Prosciutto's (Cornelius)

When I first added Google Ads to this blog, one of the first ads that I saw was for Prosciutto's, a local pizza place at Shops on the Green in Cornelius. Finally, several months later, I got off my butt and decided to give it a try.

As it turns out, a friend of mine happens to work next-door to Prosciutto's. So, it just made sense to have lunch there this past Friday.

I got there a little early, so I took a seat and looked around. Prosciutto's is sorta your standard neighborhood pub. But they tend to focus on pizza, and they REALLY focus on the professional sports teams of New England.

If you're a Red Sox or a Patriot's fan, this place is for you. Signs and flags of these team adorn the walls, and for a second I forgot that I was in NC. However, being a fan of the New England teams is not a requisite for liking this place ... Prosciutto's has a comfortable feel to it. I was instantly a fan.

Once my lunchtime partner-in-crime arrived, we took a look at the menu. I was just planning on having a couple of the pre-cooked slices of pepperoni pizza which was a lunch special. But he's a regular I went with his suggestion and we split a large Venetian pizza. It's a White Specialty pizza (it has olive oil and garlic instead of tomato sauce) and has grilled chicken, broccoli, onions, feta, mozzarella, and basil.

The pizza took a while to cook, but that was expected. They were starting it from scratch. And when the pizza arrived, it was obvious that it was worth the wait.

The pizza was loaded with toppings, which were well spread out. Every slice had plenty on it, and the crust was thin, slightly crunchy, but not burned. It was cooked to perfection, and forks and knives were not needed.

I'm usually not one for chicken or broccoli on my pizza, but it was frakin' good! The flavors of the ingredients all worked well together -- even the broccoli. As you can probably tell, I'm not a fan of the little green things, but it worked. It was good. And I recommend it. Heck, I'll probably order it again.

Prosciutto's has a decent size patio area that is apparently packed on Friday evenings. And I can see why. Pizza, beer, outdoor dining with friends... what more could you ask for?

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 11/15
Price: $$ (Just over $10, but the lunch specials are well under the $10 threshold.)
Kid Friendly: Yes. They have placemats with a kids menu and a play area too.

Conclusion: Good local pub with good food. Next time I'll be trying a calzone and a dessert cannoli. If I lived closer, I'd become a regular. They also have free WiFi. Heck, maybe I'll make it my second office! :)

Restaurant Info:
Prosciutto's
Shops on the Green
20920 Torrence Chapel Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
p) 704-439-4444
http://www.prosciuttos.com/

Due Amici

Every morning after I wake up, and help my wife get out the door, I sit down with a cup of coffee and review the Charlotte Observer. And recently, I've been very interested in their 2009 Tournament of Pizza. Think of it as March Madness -- but with pepperoni! Every week readers submit their votes, and bracket by bracket, the winner gets decided.

So, when I went on a "Foodie Trip"(a.k.a. Trader Joes run) and my friend recommended we hit Due Amici Pizzeria on the way there, I was game. (FYI, it sounds like this place is in the Elite Eight of the Tournament of Pizza)

It's in a blah strip mall with a Bi-Lo and a Blockbuster, off of Prosperity Church Road, and I had a hard time finding it. Once we entered, it looked like a lot of other pizza places. The seating to the side, and the counter in front. The counter had many different types of pizza, while trying to decide on what slices I was going to get (yes, they serve by the slice -- truly, a way to my heart!), I asked the guy running things, if they had any pepperoni. He said it was in the oven, and in five minutes, it'd be ready.

Pizza by the slice that is still in the oven?? SWEET!!

So, I ordered two slices, and sat with my drink and waited. I took in Due Amici, and started to like it more and more. It's not much to look at, but it's obvious that they take their food seriously. The desserts on display looked amazing (I'm still mad at myself for not getting a cannoli), and they had a good selection of calzone and stomboli.

After a few minutes the pizza was ready and I grabbed my slices. Since it was pepperoni, it had some grease on top, but not too much. After I mopped the grease up with napkins, I picked up the hot slice and took a bite. My first thoughts were: HOT!!! HOTTT!!!

Ok, so I put it down, and waited a few minutes for it to cool. Then I took another bite. It was good pizza. The crust wasn't soggy, and the crust was crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle. The cheese was good combination of cheeses, the sauce was slightly tangy, and the pepperoni was delicious. All in all, it was a darn good slice of pizza.

During the meal, I looked over the menu, and was surprised that they offered a large array of pastas, salads, and entrees. Though it feels just like a pizza place, they've got a lot more to offer than pizza. The next time I'm on my way to Trader Joes, I'll stop here again.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 10/15
Price: $ (Total meal under $10)

Conclusion: The pizza is really good, but I don't think it warrants a drive from Huntersville. However, if I'm in the area, I'll be sure to stop by again.

Restaurant Info:
Due Amici Pizza
5346 Prosperity Church Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28269
p) 704-948-1999
f) 704-947-3030
http://www.dueamicipizza.com/

Brooklyn South

As I've previously mentioned in this blog, I love pizza. And even though I already had pizza twice within the past week, when a friend mentioned getting pizza at Brooklyn South, I was all over it.

We entered Brooklyn South, and I was a little surprised by the interior, a big stone fireplace in the middle of the room which was flanked by large wood supports. It didn't quite feel very New York like to me. (I later learned out that the interior design was left-over from a Colorado themed sandwich shop.) The photos on the walls, however, pay homage to New York City, and the staff all had T-shirts that featured NY subway lines.

We approached the cashier, and we ordered our pizza and drinks. About 10 minutes after we got to our booth, our pizza arrived hot out of the oven. The pizza was VERY greasy, so I mopped it up with some napkins. Then I took a bite. The slices were standard New York style slices, and were so wide that the slice needed to be folded length wise. The crust was firm and crispy, even in the middle (which surprised me considering the amount of grease). However the toppings seemed a little lacking to me, the cheese and sauce were thinly applied, and the pepperoni was ok, not great. I'd give the flavor an average rating, it wasn't bad, but it didn't grab my attention either.

However, the staff here were very good. They were friendly, refilled my drink several times, and handled all requests quickly and efficiently. Though the pizza didn't do it for me, I was intrigued by the pasta entrees listed on the menu. I'll definitely be back to try those.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 10/15
Price: $ (One person can easily get out of here for less than $10)

Conclusion: I wasn't overwhelmed by the pizza or the feel of the restaurant. It just seemed like a standard pizza place to me. However, if I was from New York, I might feel different. So, if you're from New York, and are craving a slice of home, this is probably the place for you.

Restaurant Info:
Brooklyn South Pizzeria
19400 Jetton Rd
# 201
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-896-2928

Brixx (Birkdale)

I love pizza. It is quite possibly the most perfect food ever invented. Really. Just think about it, where else can you get all the food groups in one slice of yummy deliciousness? Breads? Crust, check. Dairy? Cheese, check. Vegetables? Tomato sauce, check. Meats? Pepperoni, check. And for gourmet-style wood-oven pizzas, Brixx is a great choice.

If you enter the Birkdale Brixx on a Friday night, consider yourself lucky to get a table within 20 minutes. This place gets absolutely packed, there isn't an empty chair at the bar, and they even seat people on the heated patio. The place looks very chaotic, with children running around, parents trying to keep up with their children, and waiters and waitresses who are carrying large trays of food. But somehow it all works out. The food arrives within a reasonable amount of time, and no children are run-over.

This restaurant gets loud inside, and I prefer it in the summer when I can sit on the patio, eat, drink, and relax. But during the winter, expect the inside to be loud during the busiest hours, and conversation can be difficult at times.

But lets face it, if I wanted conversation, I'd choose a small and quiet restaurant -- I'm here for the pizza! So, I order a pepperoni pizza, with a bruschetta appetizer to be served at the same time. The pizzas at Brixx come in only one size. I'll call it an individual plus. It's slightly too big for one person (though I've eaten a whole one before), but not quite big enough for two people to share. Hence, the bruschetta. Combine the two, and you've got a great two person meal.

The food arrives, and my mouth is watering. We've ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's only whetted my appetite. The pizza crust is crisp along the edges, though the middle of the crust is somewhat soggy. The sauce tastes homemade, and tonight's pizza seems to have more cheese than usual -- EXCELLENT.

I take my first bite, and the flavors of the cheese, pepperoni, sauce, and crust, all accentuate each other. After my first slice, I reach for the bruschetta, but I don't put it on the toasted bread that comes with the dish. I instead put it on the pizza and take a bite. Absolute Perfection. Combine that with the wine and while I'm eating that bite, I'm in heaven.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5 (This score would be higher if I was eating on the patio in the summer)
Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 10/15
Price: $ (Most pizzas and sandwiches under $10)

Conclusion: I'm rather partial to the Brixx in Birkdale, it's laid back atmosphere and good pizza are the reasons I go there often. However, their service can be spotty at times. If you're looking for a quieter venue on a Friday night, I suggest you pick up your order to go. That way you can have the same great food, but a little more conversation.

Restaurant Info:
Brixx Pizza (Birkdale)
16915 Birkdale Commons Parkway
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-894-0044