This counter-service place serves acceptable pizza. There’s nothing really exceptional about it, but it’s fine.
The best was the cauliflower crust garden pizza, which didn’t have much in the way of sauce, but had a nice collection of vegetables. The thin crust pepperoni pizza was cut into squares Tavern style, which I like. There’s really no atmosphere, but they did bring the pizza to the table when it was ready.
***** (5 stars)
This is one of those places where they freeze your ice cream to order using liquid nitrogen, and mixing it in a stainless steel bowl. You have your choice of base–regular, sugar free, lactose free, etc– and added flavors and mix-ins.
I've been to some of these where the result is a smoother consistency, but here is turns out rather chunky, sort of like frozen curds, which wasn't my favorite, but if that's your thing then you'll enjoy it. I also thought my lactose free coffee with chocolate chips was very, very sweet. I'm not sure why. But again, if you're getting ice cream with mix-ins, perhaps that's just what you're looking for.
There are bounce houses out back for the kids to further mix their ice cream after consumption,
Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory
520 N Main St
Kissimmee, FL 34744
https://www.yelp.com/biz/abracadabra-ice-cream-factory-kissimmee
*** (3 stars)
Friendly service and a nice patio dining area are the highlights of this place in the midst of the Colorado Springs tourist area.
The food was just okay, with a very pedestrian Antipasto Misto and somewhat odd Caesar Salad that involved diced meat and toasted bits of flatbread.
The namesake Pizza Rustica was also just okay. The thin, authentic crust was good, but the ricotta was only in one small section, and the pizza overall had very little flavor. We overhead a nearby table chatting with the owner, and they gave exactly the same assessment.
Wine prices are reasonable.
Pizzeria Rustica
2527 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
**** (4 stars)
Very good pizza, New York style, with a thin crust and just the right amount of chew and char. Spicy pepperoni.
Note: It's located in a garage off the alley!
Honey Pie Pizza
112 1/2 S College St
Newberg, OR 97132
***** (5 stars)
I’ve been going to Josie’s on Hiawassee for more than twenty years, but somehow missed the opening of this one, which is much closer to my home. The space is much brighter and more open than the old location. Although there is a sort of bar in the back, this is primarily a table service place, with plenty of tables both inside and outside.
On our visit there were a handful of inside tables occupied, and the sole server was doing a fantastic job of keeping up with everyone. We shared a large Greek salad, an order of ten hot garlic wings, and a pepperoni, ricotta, and basil pizza. Everything was excellent, and the hot food arrived literally steaming from the kitchen.
The Greek salad was a nice mix of fresh veggies on top of crisp lettuce, and the Greek dressing was delicious.
The pizza didn’t have a crisp crust, but the sauce had a great oregano flavor, the cheese was plentiful, and the pepperoni was very flavorful.
The wings are the wet style, and some of the best in town. I love that they use fresh garlic on top of the hot sauce rather than mixing in powdered garlic.
A lot of places have been having staffing issues, and we had the impression there might be just two people working here on a Monday at lunch, but they were certainly doing a great job, and I give them full points for food and service.
Josie’s Pizza & Wings
5855 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786
***** (5 stars)
Excellent spot with a large open air eating area under cover.
The pizza was terrific, with a thin crust and just the right amount of chew.
The Little Debbie Harry desert was fantastic, a great combination of hot and cold, crisp and chewy, bitter and sweet.
Very extensive selection of Amaros.
Argosy
470 Flat Shoals Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
**** (4 stars)
This Brio location offers a nice “outside” patio that overlooks the mall’s indoor fountain. Service is attentive, and the menu is standard Brio.Brio Tuscan Grille
4200 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL
32839
(407) 351-8909
https://www.yelp.com/biz/brio-tuscan-grille-orlando
***** (5 stars)
Delightful gourmet food in the center of Jackson Hole. Really nice wine list.
The place is popular and can get noisey, so I suggest sitting at the counter that looks into the open kitchen and the wood fired oven.
Excellent mussels were a great appetizer. Salmon and elk were both good entrees. Friendly and professional service.
Trio American Bistro
45 S Glenwood Dr
Jackson, WY
83001
(307) 734-8038
https://www.yelp.com/biz/trio-american-bistro-jackson
**** (4 stars)
More of a sports bar/fantastic restaurant than a pub, but they do have a great selection of beers on tap. BBQ chicken Hawaiian pizza was okay but the crust want great. The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger was excellent. Friendly service and open late.
Slippery Otter Pub
139 N Canyon St
West Yellowstone, MT
59758
(406) 646-7050
https://www.yelp.com/biz/slippery-otter-pub-west-yellowstone
**** (4 stars)
This is a well-run Shakey’s with very fresh items on the lunch buffet. Gotta get me some crispy mojo potatoes!
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor
7001 Santa Monica
Los Angeles, CA
90038
(323) 463-1104
https://www.yelp.com/biz/shakeys-pizza-parlor-los-angeles-8