The Great Pizza Debate
Leslie and I went to a new place called Bommarito's tonight. It's one of those businesses, that if you blink you might miss it going down the road. It doesn't even have a real sign in front, just a big plastic banner that they got free from Pepsi Co. The only reason we knew about it was because it is located right next to Leslie's Mom's shop, and she likes the guy.The inside is small, with just a few tables for dine-in eating. You can still smell the wood from the countertop they put in. It's a pretty no-nonsense type of place (I mean, it is Affton) complete with a lady with feathered hair who takes your order.
They have several specialty 10" "personal" pizzas for $10 a piece, but we decided to go with a large sun dried tomato and garlic. One of the nice things about the restaurant was that were several choices of toppings that you don't find at all pizza places, things like artichoke, spinach, capers, and anchovies (if you like that sort of thing like Kevin.)
We split a Canadian bacon-less salad which was basic, but good, and I watched as the guy made our pizza. The dough was hand-tossed, which is always a good sign. It didn't take long to get our pizza, since we were the only ones there. imo, the pizza was decent, not great, but not dog food either. The crust was cripsy, but maybe a little dry, the sauce and cheese were good. The garlic was a little much, but it was real garlic. Overall, I would say I was unimpressed, but Leslie seemed to like it a little bit more than I did. I don't think I'll be rushing back there anytime soon, but I'd be willing to give it another try in the future.
Our dinner sparked a conversation about St. Louis pizza. There are our regular spots (La Pizza and Frank and Helen's) but what else is there really in St. Louis? I remember the La Pizza guy told us that he liked living in New York a lot better, but he couldn't beat St. Louis for the market. It's probably because there is no competition.
Here's a quick list of pizza places off the top of my head:
La Pizza - 10/10 can't be beaten
Frank and Helen's - 9/10 actually I really wasn't impressed the first time Neal excitedly ordered one of these pizzas one drunken night, but since rediscovering it, Leslie and I like it a lot. Maybe the 60's decorations have something to do with it
Vito's - 7/10 this used to be one of our favorites, but I think the quality went down when they moved out of that little basement into the bigger space, and became more "restauranty"
Joanie's - 6 /10? It's been so long I truly can't remember. The patio is nice though.
Jersey Pizza (soulard) - 6 / 10 A sloppy, cheese running off pizza in the heart of Soulard, the pizza was okay, but the service is so bad we never go back
Mauritzio's - 4/10 Located in the heart of downtown, we took a field trip there one Saturday.
Nothing special, just for the downtown lunch crowd.
Faratto's - 5 /10 For some reason this place on Manchester Rd. has a cult following, and it's hard to park and get in. To me, it's like Imo's.
Ami's - 5/10 this is another one we went to in our Maplewood days. A former Talayna's, it's basically the same thing
Dewey's - 7 / 10 this is the only chain worth mentioning. The green lantern is good, but the regular pizza is just so-so. If you can fight off all the kids and families and get a table, it's worth a try
Black Thorn - 8 / 10 I think the atmosphere makes the pizza taste better, but I like the whole Black Thorn experience
Il Vicino - 8 / 10 okay, another chain, but pretty good. Not great, but different.
Cicero's - 7 /10 a decent pizza for a busy place
Smugala's - 6/10 It's been a while, but this hotel pizza is actually decent for a difference in scenery
Pizza a Go Go - 7/10 Tucked away in the hidden Ivanhoe restaurant row near us, this place is good for a quick take-out
Faraci - 7/10 If you're up for a field trip to Ballwin, this place serves a home-style square pan pizza. It's another change of taste and scenery, but a bit pricey if I remember right.
All the rest of the chain types range from bad to medium.
Although there are a lot of decent choices out there, there are not a lot of places that scream out, "I gotta get me some of that pizza!"
...and that's my two cents
posted by chris.mattler @ 7:26 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I do like LaPizza and Frank & Helen's which I grew up on and always pleases. The salad dressing is an acquired taste but I really like it's thick garlic zing and straight up American iceberg variety. The real Family atmoshpere is rare today. I do have to give Il Vicino the spinach salad award - roasted red peppers, pine nuts, cheese crumbles - I make the journey just for that salad - then again I'm close - but you get the idea. I believe Racanelli's was left from the list - they make a fair pie. For me it all comes down to the individual pizza maker when you get it. I've had amazing Domino's pizza and I've had lousy LaPizza (to be fair just once). Imo's certainly proves that uncertainty. Pizza Haus in the Loop four times was only average, than Incredible, then pitiful, then decent (as a free Pie after last pickup). So it's a crap shoot all around. I will say that when it's right - there are few culinary pleasures as unique and good as a slice of za.
We did learn one fun trick - head down to Missouri Bakery in the Hill and pick up a 1 pound ball of St. Louis dough and whip up your own. But like Will taught me - home ovens just don't get hot enough for the real Pizzaria taste. Here's to trying!
Yeah, after the pizza story we had to get some for dinner so we headed to La Pizza tonight. We've been going there about once or twice a month for about two years, tonight was the first time our pizza wasn't perfect. It could've used a couple more minutes in the oven. eh, whatever, it's still head and shoulders above any pizza joint in the STL.
If I remember correctly, Cusanelli's serves the thin-style pizza. It's been so long I can't remember what it tastes like.
As for Racanelli's, we went there once but haven't been back. I think the owner of La Pizza worked there for a while but then opened up his own joint.
BTW, La Pizza sells pizza by the slice for a quick bite!
I can say the charm of globs of spinach and cheese blend is lost on me. See picture and I know Rac's does it that way. I was initially interested but later turned off by it. I prefer the spinach leaves splayed out across the pizza with tomatoe and such for my veggie mix.
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