As another crappy work week comes to a close, I decided I needed a proper meal to soothe my irritated soul.
In other words: "Comfort Food".
See - my definition of "comfort food" is a bit difficult to describe. I have lived all over the Eastern US, was married to a Scot, have been neighbors with Indo-Paks, Koreans, South Americans, and Eastern Europeans, have traveled extensively across the US, Canada, and Mexico, and have sampled various cuisines along the way - so I have a wide and expansive view of what "comfort food" is.
But - if I go all the way back to my childhood - that boy who was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, good Italian food is truly comfort food.
Now, about a month ago, I was in no mood to cook (being late and after working hard during Christmas rush) - so I decided to get pizza on my way home for me & the tribe.
Holy crap - the local mass-market pizza joint (Papa John's) was CLOSED! What am I supposed to do?
So - driving along, looking for the "Golden Arches" in the distance, I was lucky enough to spot a local pizzaria across the road in a non-descript strip-mall...and decided to stop in.
Best "spur-of-the-moment" decision I have ever made - and since then, I have forever sworn off "mass-marketed" pizza.
See - my definition of "comfort food" is a bit difficult to describe. I have lived all over the Eastern US, was married to a Scot, have been neighbors with Indo-Paks, Koreans, South Americans, and Eastern Europeans, have traveled extensively across the US, Canada, and Mexico, and have sampled various cuisines along the way - so I have a wide and expansive view of what "comfort food" is.
But - if I go all the way back to my childhood - that boy who was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, good Italian food is truly comfort food.
Now, about a month ago, I was in no mood to cook (being late and after working hard during Christmas rush) - so I decided to get pizza on my way home for me & the tribe.
Holy crap - the local mass-market pizza joint (Papa John's) was CLOSED! What am I supposed to do?
So - driving along, looking for the "Golden Arches" in the distance, I was lucky enough to spot a local pizzaria across the road in a non-descript strip-mall...and decided to stop in.
Best "spur-of-the-moment" decision I have ever made - and since then, I have forever sworn off "mass-marketed" pizza.
De'Italia pizza (www.DeItaliaBuford.com) is a small pizza joint run by this short Italian guy from Brooklyn, New York... and damn, does he have pride in his work.
EVERY pizza is made to order - so don't expect to just drop in for a quick slice. It'll take you a few minutes.
The pizzas are HUGE. His medium is bigger than your standard "large"... and his large is 18" (500mm) across.
His meatballs - his calamari -all homemade, all handmade.
His meatballs - his calamari -all homemade, all handmade.
Garlic knots? Dripping in butter, fresh garlic, and parmesan.
Strombolis? God...so good.
Cannoli? Tiramisu? Yup... and to die for.
Strombolis? God...so good.
Cannoli? Tiramisu? Yup... and to die for.
Enough to bring you in? Well - add to it, the cast of characters that hang out here:
- the Hawaiian surfer-type that moved to be near his kids.
- the NY/NJ expats looking for a "taste of home"
- and of course - the mobster's daughter and her teamster boss husband.
Everyone's got a thick New York/New Jersey accent, and all the conversations come at you with the rapid-fire staccato of a machine gun - with enough hand gesturing to negate the need of ceiling fans.
Yup - it's just like when I grew up... and truly both a comforting site, and a comforting bite.
SO - if you ever find yourself near Buford GA, do two things:
Now let me go - I have a pepperoni/sausage/meatball pizza with peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and gobs of fresh garlic waiting for me...
*happy jim*
SO - if you ever find yourself near Buford GA, do two things:
- Come see me! I'm only 10 minutes away!
- Get off I-985 at exit 4 and stop in for the best pizza you'll find outside New York City (and trust me - this place blows most of those off the charts too!).
Now let me go - I have a pepperoni/sausage/meatball pizza with peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and gobs of fresh garlic waiting for me...
*happy jim*
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