Hello, again! Over 1,000 flower orders later, I’m happy to announce that yours truly has survived Valentine’s Day and is reporting back for my highest and most pressing duty as Pizza Queen. It seems as though the food trend here recently has been Americanized taco places popping up on every corner. While I love a good handheld flour vessel for my shrimp and cilantro, I’m here to dethrone Taco Tuesday and rightfully restore Pizza as king of the local food chain.
But before we can begin, I’m sure you’re questioning my credentials as Pizza Queen, it’s a lofty title, I know. So let me present you with this quick resume:
- Most pieces of pizza eaten in one sitting: 23
- At each pizza meal, I have a 4 piece minimum.
- I am tagged in every pizza-related post on Facebook at least 5 times by different friends.
- I own 10+ pizza related clothing items (one of which I designed) and am constantly given more as gifts.
- I have “Pizza” tattooed on my body in my handwriting.
- I have had Chicago’s most world-famous pizza. Twice. I’ve never been to Chicago.
Now that’s settled, let’s begin.
Many factors are involved in forging the perfect pizza, and each eating-mood requires a different variety of pie. To map out the best course of your future Greenville pizza marathon, I’ve broken down Greenville’s pizza-scape into the following zones: Established or Newly Opened, Dine-In or Carry Out, Gourmet or Classic, Affordable or Splurge.
Barley’s – Downtown, Greenville
Established, Classic, Dine-in, Splurge
Barley’s is your standard dark and moody, hustle and bustle pizza joint meets tavern – a great selection of beers to pair with your pie, running specials for by-the-slice, and insanely delicious calzones for those of you who prefer your pizza in a pretty, compact, breaded package. They have an excellent selection of toppings and usually crispy, but soft crust. Not to mention their location, location, location is right next to Luna Rosa, some of the best gelato you will have in your life.
Frodo’s Pizza – S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville
Established, Classic, Dine-in/Carryout, Affordable
Frodo’s Pizza is near and dear to my pizza-laden heart. Their pizza is a marriage between New York and Chicago style. The toppings of your choice lie hidden beneath layers of mozzarella and are complimented with a robust tomato sauce. If you’re trying to “eat healthier,” they offer a full salad bar, but why waste that stomach-space for salad when you can use it for pizza? Frodo’s is very kid-friendly, offering a “mini” size pizza and multiple arcade or grabber games. If being around rambunctious kids induces anxiety, grab your meal to go and post up next door at Grateful Brew with a more laid-back atmosphere and lots and lots of great beverages.
Pebble Creek Pizza – Stallings Rd, Taylors
Established, Classic, Carry Out, Affordable
Pebble Creek is one of the hidden gems of Greenville. Always busy, and rightfully so, making it easiest for you to grab your pizza to go. (Yes, that was a mini poem about pizza.) If you are a thin crust kind of person, this is your place – perfectly flaky and crunchy, but not so thin that your pizza loses its integrity, not so hard that you chip a tooth, either. To have the full PCP experience, grab an order of Old School breadsticks aka an abyss of buttery, cheesy, bread-y heaven. You can thank me later.
Pizza and then Some – Berea, Easley, Greenville
Established, Classic, Carry Out, Affordable
The happiest day of my life was when I moved into a house 2 miles away from the Berea location of Pizza and Then Some. The second happiest day of my life was when they opened a Haywood Rd location after I moved to the other side of town. No matter the location, you will receive prompt, friendly service and high quality pizza. Pizza and Then Some has been known to cause an existential crisis whilst ordering when asked, “Thin or Hand-tossed?” because they’re both so good. Great specials and discounts are always available, and if I can recommend anything on the menu, it is the Old World Pizza – multiple cheeses, olive oil and spice base, great the first time around, somehow, magically even better as leftovers.
Risata – Greer
Newly opened, Gourmet, Dine-in, Splurge
Risata is the newest addition to the pizza family in Greenville county and boy, am I excited about it. Some of the most photogenic pizza I have ever seen, all made from scratch and more importantly, “made with care,” which is a very important step in the pizza-making process. Upon entering, you’re greeted with the literal heart and soul of the place – the wood-fired pizza oven. With a great selection of beer, wine, and liquor, a staff full of personality and friendliness, and well-crafted atmosphere, this is a must visit!
Sidewall – Travelers Rest, Greenville
Established, Gourmet, Dine-in, Splurge
Sidewall Pizza has a welcoming clean, crisp atmosphere at both locations, with good indoor and outdoor seating. When it comes to their pies, can you argue with two whole strips of all-natural bacon on every slice? How about 4 types of fungi with roasted garlic and white wine? I’ll wait. Friendly service, good selection of beverages including local, all-natural ingredient sodas, and the creamiest, tastiest gelato with which to chase your pizza down. You will not haz ragrets.
Stone Pizza Company – Stone Ave, Greenville
Newly Opened, Gourmet, Dine-in, Splurge
Welcome to the Block! This funky pizzeria is sure to please with their blue-painted tree by the back patio and beautiful, wood-fired oven that creates a delectable, crispy crust. Neapolitan style pizza is not meant for travel, but to be enjoyed in one-sitting, which shouldn’t prove too difficult a feat since each pizza is about 12 inches in diameter, (but you know what they say, all pizzas are personal pizzas if you try your best and believe in yourself). High-quality, fresh toppings and a large menu to drool over; Stone Pizza Co offers both Neapolitan and NY style pizza in case you feel like it’s a sin to use your knife and fork. You won’t find any pizza elitism here, just good vibes and great noms.
Torrelli’s – Greenville, Buncombe Rd
Established, Classic, Dine-in/Carryout, Affordable
Torrelli’s is one of those pizza places that you find by accident. Seating a max of about 20 people, this is your hole-in-the-wall pizza of Greenville. Traditional New York Style with the highest quality mozzarella – the owner will make it threateningly clear not to put the leftovers in the microwave (which should be a huge NO-NO across the board) or you will ruin your cheese. Torrelli’s offers their pizza by the slice (be warned, they are bigger than your face) or as a whole pie, the largest offering being 28” pizza – it will not fit in your home oven – and can feed a large crowd, or me after a bad day.
Toss Pizza Pub – Greenville, Downtown
Newly Opened (ish), Gourmet, Dine-in, Splurge
Toss does crazy things with their pizzas – and I’m into it. Thai pie, Chile Relleno pie, Loaded Baked Potato pie – proving that pizza can be all things to all people. Super cool atmosphere, fabulous mixed drinks, all of their Homemade ‘Cellos are super tasty and super potent, so drink responsibly, or don’t, but make sure you have someone responsible with you. Treat yourself to any or all of their introductions, especially the Firesticks, a perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Their menu serves as a worthy pizza tract, with quips like “People disappoint, but Pizza is Eternal.” Some people just get it.
Vic’s Pizza – Greenville, Downtown
Established, Classic, Carry Out/Dine-In, Affordable
Vic’s claims their pizza place as Brooklyn, SC, crafting wildly authentic New York Style pizza. Offering both specialty and build-your-own, Vic’s is the one of few places to offer a friendly rivalry to Torrelli’s 28” pizza, stepping it up a notch with the “Godfather challenge:” a 30-minute window of stretching your stomach and battling with your pizza shoulder angels to put away all 28 inches. If you can dominate the “Godfather”, your mugshot will be posted the wall of fame and you’ll be rewarded with a special commemorative tee shirt and hat. Can’t think of a better way to die (or live).
Wild Ace – Greer, Downtown
Established, Classic, Dine-in, Affordable
Wild Ace is your pizza sports bar, and everything on their menu is delicious. They brew their own beer and have mead on tap (if you don’t know what mead is, it’s a very potent alcohol brewed with honey that’s straight from the Viking Gods). Offerings of whole pies, massive calzones, by the slice, or equally delicious apps and grinders, this is a great place to kick back and watch the game.
Now, as a fair and benevolent ruler, I fully believe there should be #nopizzaleftbehind. The following list is a compilation of pizza places that either are so brand spankin’ new I have yet been able to dine there, they serve Italian cuisine first but also have a pizza section on the menu, or are a national chain so they don’t need any help with exposure.
Della Ventura (Greer) – You will not be dissatisfied with anything you order here. Authentic Italian to the core.
Grimaldi’s (Woodruff Rd) – very well decorated, red-checkered tablecloths, excellent pizza, excellent dessert place.
Luna Rosa (Downtown Greenville) – if you are in this area at lunch time, absolutely grab a bite. The roasted tomato and eggplant bisque is to die for, as is their pizza. As previously mentioned, gelato so good you’re gonna wanna smack somebody.
Mellow Mushroom (Downtown Greenville) – atmosphere unlike anywhere else; they do super funky things with their pies and it’s delicious. Doughy crust, great Caesar salads.
Merrell’s Pizza (Greer, Easley) – local chain pizza, wide variety of toppings and specialty pies, beautiful crust, huge temptation every Wednesday I’m working Expressions’ Greer location.
Olive Tree (S Pleasantburg Dr) – great Italian cuisine, very cheesy, very delicious pizza.
Pizza City (N Pleasantburg Dr) – always great lunch specials, eat it when you’re craving cafeteria pizza.
Pizza House (Travelers Rest) – follow the sound of the guy with the goat laugh. Cheese is their specialty, specifically their cheesecake. It is sliced right out of heaven’s clouds.
Swamp Pizza (Swamp Rabbit Café, Greenville) – definitely the spot for organic, farm-fresh pizza. Newly opened, so go treat yourself to a pie and welcome them to the neighborhood.
Tito’s (N Pleasantburg Dr) – unfortunately have never been able to try Titos, but have heard marvelous things from the vast majority of my friends, and they know better than to refer poor pizza to me.
Two Bro’s Pizza (Easley) – Yet another pizza place I have yet to try because being in Easley typically means I’m posted up at Bleu Voodoo with some Louisiana Lizards (fried gator bites). Don’t worry boys, you’re on my pronto pizza bucket list. Large menu with great reviews from my pizza subjects aka my friends.
Your Pie (Woodruff Rd) – the Subway set-up for pizza, but way more delicious and no creepy spokesmen. Awesome Tuesday night meal specials – quick, easy, and delicious!
Now that I have equipped you with full Greenville pizza knowledge, I expect all you pizza princes and pizza princesses to steward it well, but stay humble in your power. Remember, there’s always room for improvement.
And Pizza.
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