Savannah Pizza game is about to change

To quote Yoda: One of those things, pizza is.  One man’s trash is another’s treasure. One woman’s $7 Three Meat Treat is another person’s dinner.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of that.

There is no shortage of pizza in and around Savanah. Some of it good. Some of it, well, not good. The gold standard around here for most is of course, Vinnie Van Go Go’s pizza. Some may favor Screamin Mimi’s down the street and that’s more than fine. I personally enjoy both of them on occasion.  But when it gets into the art of the pizza pie, that’s where it got tricky in Savannah. Until now.

Two new pizza spots are approaching opening day in Savannah’s Starland District. Two pizza spots, a few blocks apart that could affect the pizza scene in Savannah like Geno’s and Pat’s do in Philadelphia with their Philly cheesesteaks.

Squirrel’s Pizza

The first to open will be Squirrel’s Pizza at 2220 Bull Street, near the corner of 39th.  We spoke to owner Chris Dickerson back in January to give you an idea of what his vision is for well made pizza. Chris doesn’t necessarily buy in to labels and doesn’t pretend to be anything more than well made pizza. He tells me if you walk in to Squirrel’s looking to give it your New Jersey white glove test you are probably going to be disappointed.  He’s been testing his method for months.  And promises this will be outstanding hand made pizza.

If you are following on social media, which you should, the pies look fantastic.  Read my entire story with Chris here. You can even find out how they ended up with the name Squirrel’s Pizza.  Squirrel’s is set to open on June 21st.

Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana

A few blocks and a few weeks down the road is Starland’s 2nd pizza joint to open this Summer.  Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana is Kyle Jacovino’s vision for perfect pizza in Savannah.  Kyle was the former Executive Chef at the 1540 Room in the DeSoto Hotel. Before that, he was the man in charge at The Florence. For whatever your opinion was about The Florence, one thing is fact. They had Savannah’s best pizza. Period.

I’ve had more than a handful of conversations with Kyle about the art of fine pizza. Even featured it on our television show years back. If there is one take away, it’s the fact that Kyle is a purist when it comes to pie. He spent a summer in and out of hot box pizza shops all over Italy’s Amalfi Coast learning as many ins and outs of true Neapolitan style pizza as it could.  I don’t think there is any question that Kyle is Savannah’s Pizza Whisperer.  I don’t think he will take offense to me labeling him that. It’s just how seriously he takes the craft.

Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana is still going through its build out. It will even have a take out window for the grab and go crowd.  That’ll come in very handy during any of the many festivals Starland is seeing. Expectation for an opening will be some time early-mid July.

I expect favorites among the masses to fall on both sides of the fence with these two.  Some will prefer one, some will prefer the other. Though they are similar in approach, they will have differences and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, now is there?

The bottom line is the good news comes with options. Options for great hand made pizza without having to drive all the way into the heart of downtown to grab some.

I should state for the record, because the questions will come about the brand new Donato’s Pizza on Waters Avenue in Savannah.  We’ve heard some good things. People are enjoying it.  We generally have a rule at Eat It and Like It, though, about featuring chains.  Donato’s Pizza is based in Columbus, Ohio.  Go find ’em, you might Eat It and love it.

As I say, options are always good.

See you on TV

Jesse

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