I had a speaking engagement this week with 250 of my friends in Bluffton. A fine time, as always, was had. When it came time for the Question and Answer portion of the program, it may have taken a couple of at bats, but inevitably the question came. It always does.
“I’m from Boston and I’m looking for good Northeastern style pizza. Where do you go?”
What followed was a rant-on my part-a few years in the making. I believe the words were something along the lines of “y’all need to stop with the pizza thing!”
It was light-hearted, we were having fun but the point was still valid. Too many people move to this area demanding that we have pizza like they do ‘back home.’ I’ve talked about it in this space before, but I will remind you as often as I get a chance that we are barking up the wrong tree.
Depending on which area Facebook group you follow you can count on seeing the argument at least every two weeks. The same argument from the same people who moved here from ‘back home’ most of which are underwhelmed by the offerings we have for pizza for 50 miles North and South of the Savannah River.
Stop chasing unicorns. Stop getting angry that you aren’t finding one. You very likely won’t. Close? Maybe. Like “back home?” No. Why not? As I told the group this week “First of all, the water. Second of all, everything else.”
If I move to Ohio, I would not be angry that they don’t have good Shrimp and Grits. If I moved to Montana I would not lament the lack of Cuban food. At least I wouldn’t expect there to be any of note.
With all of that said, Happy National Pizza Day! February 9th. A day to celebrate some pretty good pies in the area. Here are some of my favorites. Keeping in mind this is a list, not a ranking. And only 1 or 2 would I compare to anything ‘back home’
Neapolitan
Pizzeria Vittoria – Savannah. Savannah’s best pizza. In fact, this might just be one of the most consistent anything you can eat in this town.
Graffito at Plant Riverside District – From the first time I had it, it immediately jumped up to the top of the class with Vittoria. Great pizza down on the Riverfront.
The Southern Peel -The Southern Peel is a Bluffton-based food truck. You can generally find them at Lot 9 Brewing Company. Or hire them for a private event, which they do plenty of. Exceptional pizza.
“NY Style”
Piace Pizza – Beaufort, SC. Don’t hold it against him, but Brian is a Philly guy doing some great pies like they got back home. There is no website, there is some social media. There’s also a great atmosphere at Piace, pizzas, meatball subs (grandma’s recipe) and sports everywhere. Looking for an afternoon out of town, this spot is worth the drive.
Screamin’ Mimi’s – A Savannah institution. If you know, you know.
Square “Detroit” Style Pizza
Motor City Mondays at the Wayward Lounge in the Perry Lane Hotel. This pizza is as good as you will have anywhere. But only available on Mondays during Happy Hour. When they are gone, they are gone.
Big Bon Bodega – Big Bon just brought back their pizza program late in 2023. They are called “Savannah Square” pies and all named for a Square in Historic Downtown Savannah. Very very good pizza.
Honorable Mention in the greater Savannah/Bluffton area include: Vinnie Van Go Go’s at City Market, Riverboat Pizza in the Georgetown area, Local Pie Bluffton and Ricciardi’s in Richmond Hill. Home to the area’s finest Deep Dish Chicago style.
Got any we should try? Let me know. tips@eatitandlikeit.com
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3 thoughts on “A few words about Pizza around here”
February 9 is long gone.
Have you had Boston Pizza in Pooler? We think it’s the best. They have an outstanding rewards program, spend $100, get a $15 coupon. And on Wednesdays lately soup of the day has been really delicious French Onion Soup…not to mention an extensive lunch special menu for only $12. Including many pizza options or ½ sandwiches, an appetizer and refillable sodas/tea.
Not sure why you’re so frazzled. We are blessed here with many good food options. For pizza, Vinnie Van GoGo was a pleasant surprise . Victorias makes an awesome Neapolitan style. There are many other quite delicious pies, nearly all Neapolitan style. The NY style dough recipe doesn’t exist here so why can’t we pine for it? Has nothing to do with the water. Once you’ve tried a good one you’ll know why we pine for it!
We don’t have great Chinese, Greek or Korean options either. Can I hope we are blessed with one soon is that ok ok with you? It’s not an insult to the awesome chefs we ARE blessed with!
First of all I am from the North. Born and raised in Connecticut. So I am used to pizza from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Military retirement brought me to Pennsylvania. Okay back to the subject at hand. Pizza. A couple of weeks ago there was an article on Facebook. Savannah Connection I remember. I have never seen a bunch of posters whine about Pizza in the Savannah, Bluffton and HH. Questioning why you cannot find a certain pizza like back in the Tri-State area. (Like home). Well my answer to that is “it’s the south?”. Seems to me many of the posters felt that Savannah, Bluffton or HH was supposed to roll out the pizza red carpet for us “transplants”. Of course, I suppose, if someone moved up north and said “where is the grits and shrimp”? Or, any other southern breakfast staple. I moved down here for other reasons. It wasn’t for the pizza. Again folks, it’s the south, enjoy. I do.
Okay I would like to add one more penny to my two cents. Roma Pizza in Bloomingdale. He makes his pizza alone and guess what? He is from New York. (applause). Little shop on 80. Small and quaint. He even come out and talks to his customers, Great guy, good pizza. I live in Pooler and this place was under my nose for three years and didn’t notice it.
Okay enough.