We love park pizza, and I have to get my Bradwell pizza fix once a month or bad things happen (fig preserves, turkey sausage, apples, walnuts, blue cheese, caramelized onions, nom nom nom). And every other pizza we've tried is delicious as well. And on top of that, the people that work there are super nice.
We tried this out a couple of weeks ago and found the pizza to be wonderful. It is a bit blackened on the edges, as the above reviewer said, but we also had pizza like that in Italy, so I'm wondering if it's more of a style issue than a technical issue. We also had the fries, which were fantastic, and the arrancini, which were outstanding.
I have celiac disease and I still eat here occasionally. That should tell you something.
Let me start by saying I am rather disgusted by the fact that someone has enough hatred for EVO to "dislike" any positive review or comment on here. Really? What did this restaurant do to you? I won't let that affect my review of what I consider the best pizza in Charleston.
Why is this the best pizza in Charleston? Why does my opinion count? Actually, pizza taste is more subjective than any other food out there. It seems that some people think the best pizza comes from NY. Other people only like the thick Chicago style deep dish pies. I can appreciate all styles of pizza, and I used to make them as a part time job as a teenager. However, my true pizza purist side really appeared while living in Italy for 3 months (and during multiple return trips). While I lived in a little suburb of Torino called Venaria Realle, I learned that most popular pizza in Italy was Pizza Napoletana, which originated from Naples. This style had thin crust with light toppings, and was cooked in a wood fired oven. The wood fire always added a wonderful touch of smoke to the crust, while providing a high heat level to crisp things up. When you ordered a Pizza Margherita, you would get an 8" pie with a light covering of sauce, frest cut tomatoes, house made mozzarella cheese (I preferred to opt for Mozzarella di Buffalo), and just the lightest touch of seasoning from a couple basil leaves. This was pizza perfection to me. I tried this pizza from many places during my stays, and it was always delicious.
Now that I live in Charleston, I often miss this Napoletano pizza experience. Then, I discovered EVO. Extra Virgin Oven (EVO) takes pride in producing the most accurate representation of true Italian pizza you will find in this part of the country. They offer the same fresh ingredients and even feature a true wood fired pizza oven. The crust is always cooked to a perfect crisp level, and they even seem to have the dough chemistry worked out to match EU. To add some American spice to the traditional dish, they offer something called a Pork Trifecta. Sweet Jeebus, the Trifecta is delicious. I am still an American, and I love bacon. The PT gives you the bacon fix you needed, along with some house made sausage and pepperoni. I think the combination of tradition with an American pork lover's wet dream make this the best pie in CHS.
Aside from the orgasmic talk about the pizza, EVO also delivers on beer selection and service. I have never had an issue with the waitresses, as they are quick to take orders and deliver food. The craft beer selection had slacked off for a while, but seems back to normal. I also have enjoyed the breads I have tried from their bakery.
While there may be many NY pizza purists on Citypaper, if you love fresh ingredients, you really need to try EVO for yourself. I don't expect it to be #1 on everyone's list, but I would hope the flavor might convince you that these guys know what they are doing. All this pizza talk is making me hungry! Cheers!
I agree wholeheartedly with this place being the best NY pizza in Lowcountry. We were so thrilled with our pizza when we ate in that we swore it would not be our last time. We drove there after a friend recommended it. The crust was bubbly at the top, very crispy on the outside but tender inside. It was a definite folder, which verified its authenticity in our opinion. If you don't need 2 hands to hold a slice, its not a NY style pizza. The sauce was on mark and full of bold flavor with the right amount of cheese. We were raving and swooning until we saw the check. We think the price per piece is a bit steep but that being said, when you are the best in town, maybe you can charge this much. We loved it and would come back more often if the price per piece were lower. Still, we definitely missed it and come back once every couple months just to get our fix. Good job and well done! We leave so full that we never have room for dessert!
Huge menu, lots of beers on draft (seasonals, IPA's, porters, etc) the pizza is good, not the best in Charleston but good enough to order consistently. The cajun chicken pasta is great, the weggies make great to-go food on the way to Sullivan's, the service is friendly, if not blazing fast. Good neighborhood bar/eatery.
I only have one complaint about this place. It's that I did not try it earlier. My family has been looking for a place where we can get a quality pie. Tried Park Pizza today after hemming and hawing on it. This place is awesome sauce. Chicken that is actually baked? Not oversauced or with too much cheese! I was really happy that I ate here and will be back. It is not EVO, nor does it try to be, just another slice of pizza goodness in Park Circle. If the owners could come and take over Carolina Crust ("The Krust") in Tanner Plantation, it would shorten my drive and automatically become the best pizza place in Hanahan.
I've been to Vespa maybe 12 to 15 times over the last two years and they have really gotten better at each visit. Always liked the joint but they have listened to the comments and criticisms over the years and seem to have really put together a restaurant that will be a mainstay. Always friendly, some interesting menu items, cool spot on DI, I congratulate them on doing a fine job and wish them well in the future.
Not that Urbanspoon is the end all be all but after reading Rosemary's review and positive comments about Baroni's I figured I would look them up. I am always up for a good pizza. Well, 74% approve for a restaurant with a solid third of the reviews negative is not very enticing. I looked at Evo's and 92% positive with nearly four times as many votes and out of the 37 reviews only four were negative, and two of those were about price. If you understand what Evo is doing and how much effort goes into their food you will understand why they have to charge the prices that they do. If not, I would suggest Cici's, that just means that when I have to go on the customary wait at EVO it will at least be for people who understand what they are eating and drinking and not be looking for the nearest buffet trough.
Great food, great beer, great service, consistently.
On Tap: Southerntier 2xIPA, Grand Teton Sweetgrass APA, Grand Teton Bitch Creek ESB, Abita Purple Haze, Blue Moon Belgian White, Harpoon Winter Warmer, Spaten Optimator, Widmer Hefe, Amstel Light, Highland Oatmeal Porter, Steven's Point Root Beer, Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, Yuengling, Stella Artois, Newcastle, Coast HopArt IPA, Magic Hat #9, Sierra Celebration, Sam Adams Winter, New Belgium Fat Tire, 1554, Harpoon Vermont Spruce Tip, Guinness, Bitburger Pilsener, Great Divide Titan IPA, Highland Cold Mountain.
Bottles: Bell's Christmas Ale, New Holland Mad Hatter, Bear Republic Black Bear Stout, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye, Alewerks Washington Porter, Sam Smith Nut Brown, New Planet Gluten Free (Tread Lightly Ale, 3R Raspberry Ale), New Belgium Belgo, Kaliber NA, Corona, and most major domestics.
Wine: House Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Chardonnay by Lamplighter Vineyards, Clos du Bois Chard, Liberty School Chard, Pacific Rim Riesling, Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauv Blanc, Beringer White Zin, Stella Pinot Grigio, Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Oyster Bay Merlot, Sterling Cab Sauv, Castle Rock Pinot Noir, Trapiche Pinot Noir, Hardy's Shiraz, Ruffino Classico Chianti, Bodega Elena Malbec, Zen of Zin.
Beer list is always changing based on seasonal offerings and taps are NEVER empty. Wine list is well rounded and affordably priced. Not a fine dining list, but certainly not "plonk".
As a personal note, Mellow Mushroom rocks! I love their food. However, comparing a Brixx pizza to a Mellow Mushroom pizza is ridiculous. May as well compare Thai food to Japanese. They're both delicious! But not remotely comparable.
We in "food and bev" appreciate feedback, even negative in nature. We aren't perfect, and we know it. Keep the comments coming!
Cheers!
A humble member of the Charleston "food and bev" community.
Quaint restaurant. You will feel at home the moment you walk in the door. The pizza is wonderful, full of real Italian flavor. The sauce is divine and freshly prepared on site. This is a must have each time I visit the Charleston area.
YUM...as a restaurant owner with knowledge of pizza, this place is FANTASTIC.I have no problem traveling from James Is for the Pork Trifecta.The whole experience with a wood fired oven approaching temps of 1100 degrees (or greater) is the contrast between the charred exterior vs the sweet, yeasty interior.Basically pizza is $1 an inch anywhere.By the time you order from a "chain" plus delivery charge& toppings, it's $1 an inch.If you go to a place that makes their own toppings, sauces, etc your still spending $1 an inch.Are you really getting your moneys worth at DomiPapaHut?????Support your local pizza joint.EVO is worth it.LOVE!
The best Italian food in the area. Go early or make sure to make a reservation. This place is popular. If you like NYC style pizza, you found it. Customer oriented staff. Managed to perfection. Frank is the secret ingredient part chef part athlete covers the kitchen like a defensive guard but is dead on when it comes to blending tastes, creativity and consistency. Great family, great restaurant, great food.
This place is awesome!! Awesome atmosphere and best of all awesome food. I went in there with my husband, our server was Collin and he's the best, most friendly server I've ever had. Even though he was busy with other tables he always made sure we were taken care of. Its the best pizza joint on DI and their Guiness is cheaper than Daniel Island Grille.
Definitely our neighborhood favorite - friendly staff and great music! their happy hour is awesome: wings or pizza or calzone with either PBR or Yeungling at great prices. Their beer selection is fairly extensive and the pizzas are deliciously funky! Def a constant at our house - though the pizza is best eaten fresh - not cold.
We LOVE Paisano's! We really like The Colbert but today we tried the Fat Boy and it was delicious!! It's definitely our favorite pizza spot on JI.
Boy this place has come of age ! Fantastic from every stand point !
Re: “Park Pizza Co.”
I had a meatball sub today from Park Pizza that rocked my socks off. Perfectly moist and seasoned meatballs, perfect amount of gooey cheese, just enough tangy sauce, and the roll was toasted to a golden crispiness that remained crunchy while I ate at my desk. This was the best lunch I have had in months!