The Charlie’s Pizza Experience

People that know me, know that I don’t love commercial pizzas. You know the ones that come in multiple deckers, overloaded with cheese and toppings? That is just not my scene. I didn’t know what it was, why I had this dislike for pizza, but I just started to avoid it. I know some of you are like…okay crazy lady….. *rolls eyes at me*

AND THEN IT HAPPENED…..one day I was introduced to a different kind of pizza. Super thin crust, not round (in a traditional 360 degree way), little bits of cheese dropped onto it, freshly grated parmesan, fresh rocket/basil and meat toppings. OH. MY. SOUL. What is this sorcery?

Charlies Pizza is located in Summerstrand and I have to say it is one of my (and my husband’s) favourite food spots in Port Elizabeth. Any time we can sneak away for a lunch date this is the place we literally run too. The restaurant itself is spacious and the décor simplistic, but modern. One thing I love (besides the FREE WIFI) is also that they write the specials on the wall, so no need to ask or look around on the table for a menu with the specials on. The price is also there, so you know immediately what suits your pocket and what doesn’t.

On the topic of suiting your pocket, we saw they had panini’s for R29,99 and we decided to get one to try. I ordered the basil pesto, cheese and tomato panini. Gals….their basil pesto is out of this world <3 You can see they also aren’t shy with lettuce, as this is something one really looks forward to….half a head of lettuce on your roll. ha ha. Jokes aside, and excess lettuce removed, this panini was fantastic and tasty.

Disclaimer: I am not a photographer and especially NOT a food photographer. I apologise to the owners of Charlies Pizza if my food pictures negatively affect their business, but what I lack in talent in capturing food pictures, I make up in the love I have of the food I tried to photograph.

Okay, back to the food. People…this pizza may not look like much, but don’t let that fool you.  The flavor packed into this pizza is out of this world. On the menu it’s a gorgonzola/salami and avocado pizza, but I swop out the salami for chicken as I don’t eat salami. This is the pizza of my dreams. There aren’t enough descriptive words for the love affair my husband and I have with this pizza. We’ll randomly check in and be like: okay so you had 2 slices already right? #ImWatchingYouWatchingMe  We try to pretend we’ll order something different, but all roads lead back to this pizza, and my husband ordinarily does not even eat gorgonzola. PS You have got to try it with the fresh chillies they serve on the side.

The waitress there is one talented lady as well! We had the most complicated drinks order and I’m always swopping toppings out and this gal didn’t break a sweat….or even need a pen and paper. I asked her: Are you sure you have all that? Needless to say, everything came exactly as we wanted it.

What I did not photograph purely because I eat it before anybody can ask me for a piece, is their Macadamia nut cheesecake. *shakes head* I can’t think about this cheesecake without wanting to cry. I can only think that this cheesecake is made with unicorn and fairy dust. The macadamia nuts are caramalised, but unlike other variations of this cheesecake at other establishments, these nuts do not threaten to break every one of my teeth if I try to eat it. It’s soft and crunchy and just pairs so well with the cheesecake.

I can’t vouch for all their dishes obviously, but I can say that we’ve never left there disappointed. I’m also very grateful for the fact that they will swop out toppings for me without a fuss. I hate going to a place and I get a stare and a: ‘I need to talk to the manager’, as when you don’t eat pork products (it’s not religious, just a preference) a menu can be limiting. I can go there and know they will always try to accommodate me without making me feel like I’m difficult. They also make a darn good cappuccino. Great food and great service, that’s a good standard to have 🙂

Have you eaten at Charlies Pizza & Pasta before? Are there any other great restaurants in Port Elizabeth that I have to try?