November 21st, 2010
After spending a few hours with Pete, my handyman, I decided to order a pizza from Nicola. I deserved it. Pete drove me crazy and there was nothing like a slice of pizza for instant gratification.
This is the 3rd time I have ordered pizza in a week. Right in downtown Rehoboth Beach, all those 3 pizza joints are within walking distance of one another. So, you have your pick. And we all do; it is a matter of taste.
Like Ed, a resident from Rehoboth, who says he can eat pizza every day and has given me other places to try. He has his preferences of what type of cheeses should be used, thickness, and toppings.
Last night there was a show on t.v. and it was all about the pizzas in New York City and Chicago. New York pizza won. The difference between the 2? The thickness with New York having a thin crust and Chicago was deep dish pizza.
I made my call and ordered a small cheese, well done, and thin. They asked me if I wanted a pan (personal) pizza or the regular. Of course, the regular. It would be ready in 20 minutes and it was.
Nicola Pizza does not need any introduction here at the beaches; it is also an institution that opened up in 1971. It is a family business.
They are located at 8 N. 1st Street. Tel. 302-227-6211. The website is www.nicolapizza.com.
Nicola is proud to inform its patrons that they drain the fat from the beef, blend three kinds of cheeses and use homemade sauce. No additives or preservatives are ever used.
You can dine in or take out and Nicola has a new location right on Rehoboth Ave., around the corner from the original one. I ordered my take out pizza from the original location.
Involved in the community and helping organization to raise funds. For that purpose, just give them a call for more information.
Nicola has specials during the winter and stays open year-round for lunch and dinner. They are also the home of the Nic-O-Boli, which is ground beef, their fat free pizza sauce and a blend of cheeses rolled in fat free dough, then baked in the oven. They do also offer specialty Nic-O-Bolis, as well, like no beef, low carb, and a few more.
Nic-O-Bolis can be bought by the case, frozen. I have given them as gifts before and always appreciated. Just pop them in the oven.
I drove home with my hot pizza and already my car was full of that smell.
I rushed into the house and showed it to my husband, who as you know cannot have it because of his gluten allergy.
I have not had Nicola’s pizza in some time and I thought it was very good. It was thin, crispy and well done. And, the sauce was flavorful and did not overpower the pizza. It came out just like I ordered it.
This time I had a couple of pieces and froze the rest in case I had a craving later on.
Later in the evening I decided to make a gluten free pizza myself. I had bought gluten free pizza dough. The pizza looked good. I added cheese, my own sauce, peppers, onions, mushrooms, anchovies, and sun dried tomatoes. It came out too “doughy” . I will have to perfect it.
Have a great day!!
November 16th, 2010
“The Legendary Taste”. They have been at it for 50 years, so believe me, they have had time to perfect it. I am talking about pizza. I am on my pizza kick that started on Saturday when I woke up and thought that it had been so long since I had a real slice of pizza; a post to my blog could be the excuse to eat it.
I decided to call Grotto yesterday. It was already way past lunch time. Grotto Pizza has locations up and down our State and into Pennsylvania but I was concentrating in the main Grotto located at 36 Rehoboth Ave. in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3278. Website www.GrottoPizza.com.
My first impression over the phone was that Mark, who took my order, was so friendly. He offered me the Customer Appreciation Deal which was a large pizza with 1 topping for just $9.99. That price is usually for the small, 12 inch cheese pizza. I declined it since I only really needed a small one; less eating, you know what I mean.
Again, I ordered a cheese pizza, well done and thin. It was ready in 15 minutes.
As I was on my way there I started thinking that Grotto really has a fierce fan base. I remember that before there were Grotto Pizzas in Bethany Beach, people would drive through Rehoboth either in or out of town just to eat Grotto Pizza.
The Grotto Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue is pretty big. The take out is next to the main entrance.
As I was paying for my pizza I started talking to Tommy and told him my dilema of having in my family someone that has to eat gluten free and how I could not wait to have a taste of Grotto’s.
He then said that if I brought in the gluten free pizza dough ready to go they would stretch it and make it for me with all their ingredients. That was exciting and new!!!
I then proceeded to ask him what made Grotto’s pizza different from the rest? One of the key ingredients is that they use artisan cheddar cheese. Most pizza joints do not use it. Traditionally, the sauce is first put on the pizza and then the cheese, but at Grotto’s the cheese goes on first and then the sauce. That is why you see more sauce than cheese at first.
Artisan cheese is manufactured by hand; the result is that the cheese is often more complex in taste and variety.
This time I controlled myself and drove with my pizza at my side smelling it all the way home.
I had groceries in the car and I left them there; rushed inside. I wanted to eat it while it was hot. It looked beautiful.
It was thin just like I ordered it. Grotto’s dough was softer; not crispy. But, the real taste is in the sauce and cheese. That was excellent.
Grotto is on Facebook and Twitter. They offer different specials every day of the week. A big supporter of causes in the community, also offering discounts to military and emergency services personnel. Stop in and get more information. Check the website. It is complete with a history of what Grotto Pizza is all about.
Yes, it is about preference and taste.
Talk to you later…..have a good one!!
November 14th, 2010
I don’t know why I woke up with a craving for pizza. You see, I have not had a real pizza in over a year. With the gluten free type of eating we do in our home, well, what can I say, I just have not had one.
There are gluten free pizzas but they really need to be improved. Nowhere near the real thing.
Rehoboth Beach has great pizza joints. They are institutions in our beaches. At first I thought I would get a small pizza from each and do my own tasting. Then I thought better; just get one each day and enjoy it slowly.
I decided to go to Louie’s Pizza located at 11 Rehoboth Ave., right by the Boardwalk. Tel. 302-227-6002. Website www.homeofthegrinder.com.
Louie’s has been in Rehoboth since 1974. They will close for the months of December, January and February.
They proudly say that they are “Home of the Grinder”. A Grinder is a sub which is oven baked for 3 minutes.
You can dine in or call for take-out orders. Two separate entrances. Not too many smiles on their faces; they seemed to be all business.
Louie’s is all about grinders, subs and pizzas. They also serve salads, which are made to order. No alcohol. Their gyros are supposed to be very good, as well.
The pizza dough and sauce are made fresh daily.
I had called my pizza in. I was going to take it home and eat only one slice.
Ha! Easier said than done. The moment I picked it up I proceeded to walk to the Boardwalk and sat in one of those comfortable benches overlooking the ocean and thought I had died and gone to haven the moment I bit into the pizza.
It was so delicious. Thin, well done, light, crispy and each bite was full of flavor. The back of the pizza was baked to perfection.
I had 3 slices; I am not ashame. The pizza was not that big. The small one was $5.95.
Enjoy the pictures because I certainly did enjoy the pizza.
Talk to you later….I have to go and walk it off….
Did I tell you that it was a gorgeous day on the beach? Of course not, I was too busy, you know, eating.
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