gourmet pizza company in soho
mattWe were in the mood for pizza this past weekend so we decided to head to Gourmet Pizza Company in SoHo at the corner of Swann & S. Armenia. As the name implies, Gourmet Pizza specializes in pizzas with gourmet toppings. Everything from center-cut rib eye to crawfish tails.While most folks get their pies to-go at Gourmet Pizza Company, we decided to eat-in this time for a change. On this visit we ordered a custom 12-inch pizza with pepperoni, sausage and caramelized red onions and a 12-inch chicken smoked gouda pizza. This specialty pizza comes with gouda cheese, grilled chicken, the same caramelized onions and crumbled smoked bacon pieces.
The two pizzas were more than enough food for Traci and me, but we also went with an order of breadsticks, which had been great when we ordered them previously. Unfortunately, this time the breadsticks had more of a raw dough taste to them. The breadsticks were dripping in delicious butter and cheese like before, but we couldn’t get past the doughy taste and let most of them sit.
As for the two pizzas, both were tasty, and loaded with fresh toppings. Maybe it was because I already had dough on the brain, but I noticed more of a semi-cooked doughy taste to the crust than I had before too. Don’t get me wrong, though. These were still two good-tasting pizzas and I boxed up what was left for home.
While the place isn’t perfect, I’d rather order a pizza from Gourmet Pizza all day long over the chain gang of Papa John’s, Domino’s, Little Caesars and even local chain Westshore Pizza. Other local pizza places I’ve tried include Galley Pizza on S. Westshore, which does a pretty good pizza, and Sally O’Neal’s on S. Howard, where I found the pizza and service to both be pretty mediocre.
So what’s your favorite local pizza joint?
Bottom-line: If you’re looking for a unique twist on your next pizza, Gourmet Pizza Company in SoHo is worth checking out. They deliver downtown and throughout most of south Tampa.
Inspection Scorecard: Last Inspection: September 2006 violations - Critical (12), Non-Critical (4).
Tags: restaurant, review, soho, tampa
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October 24th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
The in-flight magazine for some airline I flew recently (can’t remember which) had an article about best pizza in America - Gourmet Pizza Company was on the list.
I’ve only been to Sally O’Neal’s once, but I was pretty pleased with everything. I guess hit-or-miss doesn’t inspire confidence, though.
Don’t forget Cappy’s. As long as you’re prepared for a long wait for a table and very hands-off service, I enjoy it. Both the Howard Ave and Seminole Heights locations have been good to me.
October 24th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
thanks for the heads up on Cappy’s- I’ve heard good things about them and will try to check ‘em out.
Re: the inflite magazine talking up Gourmet Pizza Co- I think it was Southwest. They proudly mention the award on their pizza boxes etc
October 24th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Cappy’s has been closed for a really long time.
October 24th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
sounds like there are locations on florida and bay to bay
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/19/Citytimes/Cappy_s_Pizzeria_will.shtml
October 24th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
im completely unimpressed by tampa pizza, but have found that cellini on s bayshore makes what i find to be the best locally. its a good ital restaurant that also offers a decent pie.
ive never tried gourmet, but whole wheat crusts dont float my boat. sally oneils is just ok, overpriced like most on soho. cappys is completely overrated, but, rachel, theyve reopened on bayshore about two mos ago. bec they close at 9pm, i dont have much use for them.
actually, some of the slice joints in ybor offer pretty good stuff, especially the one next to club hedo on 7th ave. at least, it takes good after a few beers. i also like the deck on platt. pizza is ok, but i just like the location and the beers best….
October 24th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
Big fan of Cappys-Bay to Bay and Florida Ave loactions…
October 24th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
i agree that pizza in tampa is unimpressive. gourmet pizzeria is good, but it’s the ben & jerry’s of pizza joints. too many gimmicks, not enough focus on the classics. The Deck is usually great, but always feels like the slices are unsubstantial. Still, both decent joints overall. Much better than the chains fo’ sho.
October 25th, 2006 at 9:22 am
dc, you raise a good point: the stinginess of tampa slices, that is if you can even find a place w the good sense to sell slices. yr right, the decks slices wdnt feed a bird which is why yu have to buy two or three. only ybor comes close to slice sizes that matter. youd think theres a national shortage of pizza dough and tomato sauce by the size of some of these ’slices’ around tampa…miami has a small chain called pizza rustica: now that is a slice, and its no relation to that lame joint on 4th ave in st pete, btw.
October 25th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Oh stop it! Everyone likes pizza! Why all the complaining?
October 25th, 2006 at 11:05 am
I always like Eddie and Sams downtown, they do sell by the slice in massive overflowing portions.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Queen’s Pizza is excellent. Closest one is near Northwest Tampa, but it’s worth the drive. I’ll still eat there, but Sally O’Neal’s and Cappy’s never lived up the hype in my opinion. And yes, Cappy’s moved from Howard Ave. to Bay to Bay.
October 25th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Eddie & Sam’s is very good, and the slices are huge. They claim to use real new york water.
October 26th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
I’m brain dead. What was that pizza place on the unweildy corner in the SOG area with all the clown stuff…was it Chubbys? Is that still there? THAT was a GREAT pie.
October 26th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for all the ideas. I’ve put Eddie & Sams on my list and Cappy’s. I just realized yesterday I drive by Eddie & Sams pretty regularly.
Sandy: I think the pizza/sub place you’re talking about is (was?) near the corner of Gandy/Interbay/Bayshore?
October 31st, 2006 at 4:23 am
test
October 31st, 2006 at 11:28 am
Seriously what kind of pizza do you expect in a food chain ridden town where the best burger was voted at Hardees?? Unfortunately, Tampa does not have a very good food palate - especially when it comes to the basics. We need to set a standard because currently there isn’t one.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Yo all you New Yorkers what about CEZARS on Dale Mabry by Plant high school.The pies rock !!!!!
November 8th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
I’m from the Boston area and I’ve had the best pizza there and in New York City. For the first few years I’ve lived here I thought pizza sucked here but I’ve slowly found great pizza in the area. Try Pizza Suprema in Land O’Lakes, Zerillo’s in Westchase and a few others that the other people mentioned.
November 8th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Thanks for the suggestions.
Adding them to my pizza places to try list.
October 7th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
“Cesar of New York Pizza” is still the Best Pizza in Tampa by far, across from Plant High School. It’s great tasting pizza made with fresh quality ingredients!!