Let me just start with a bold statement. “This is the best pizza place in the whole world.” Those words were uttered out of my 6-year-old’s mouth Monday evening, and let me just say, he isn’t that far off.
Monday night was San Marcos’ newest eat-out spot, Pie Society’s soft opening. For those of you who don’t know what a soft opening is, it’s when a restaurant will open its doors to invited guests, friends and family so the cooks, management, servers, etc., can practice for what it’ll be like when they open their doors to the public.
They are able to see a service in action, and take an inventory of all the kinks that they encountered, giving them the chance to work out new strategies, and fix the things that didn’t work so well, and enhance the things that did.
Luckily, yours truly, along with my husband and kiddo were invited to come along and get a chance to eat the pizza, and take it all in. Win! We arrived around 6 p.m., and the place was bustling. Pretty much every seat in the house was taken, and there was a line to order. Only the best problem to have, right?
First things first, when we arrived, my boys bee-lined straight for the pizza viewing area, while I decided to linger back and watch one of the pizza makers toss some dough, and another assemble a pizza with house-made EVERYTHING. From sauce to dough, this place seems to be doing it right. The produce is super fresh and everything that isn’t house-made is locally grown, cured, and created. Right on.
After taking a look at the menu, I read they offer 9 specialty pies, all creatively named, like The Pyramid, The Balance of Power, and The Garden of Eden, as well as a build your own pie option, salads and small bites, like garlic knots. Yum.
The best part though was just feeling like we were part of the whole pizza making experience.
We watched the dough get tossed, and sauces and toppings put on. We saw pizzas go in the oven and come out piping hot, ready to be cut into slices. We were able to not only read the pizza names on the menu, but approach the pizza viewing area to really have an educated answer when asked, “What do you want?”
My husband went with The Balance of Power, a pie with fresh spinach, spicy sausage & a touch of Texas honey. The kiddo chose the 7-8-666, Italian sausage, pepperoni & bacon. I went with The Garden of Eden with Fresh spinach, local mushrooms, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, and feta. Yum. We paid for our slices and drinks, found a seat at the bartop facing the kitchen, and quickly learned this was the best seat in the house.
We could watch everything happen, and talk with the cooks, and get a real taste for what its like back there. It was magical.
But the true test came when we received our slices. Would this place be all atmosphere and no flavor? Would it be all hype and just OK food?
After I folded my Garden of Eden slice, and took my first bite into the crisp yet chewy crust, perfectly balanced sauce, delicious and fresh toppings and tangy cheese, I knew this place was going to be a huge success.
I looked over at my husband who was equally impressed with his Balance of Power slice, and really enjoyed the creativity that went into the combination of flavors.
The little one was going to town on his 7-8-666, and kept saying “MMM!!!”
We were one happy family. It was around now that those words came forth, “This is the best pizza place in the whole world.” Out of the mouth of babes, am I right? He has no reason to try to please anyone. He basically said it to himself, and in doing so, made everyone’s night.
My husband and I decided that one slice wasn’t enough slices, so we went back to order a second one, while the kiddo was satisfied with one. They were pretty big, but we were here to try and taste, so try and taste we did. His second slice was The Key, topped with homemade certified angus beef meatball, ricotta, roasted red pepper, & fresh jalapeño, while I went straight for the holy grail of pizzas (not to be confused with their Holy Grail pizza). I got a slice of pure cheese pizza. What can I say? I’m a purist at heart.
It didn’t take long for our slices to make their way to our seats, and for that I was glad. I couldn’t wait to see what they did with the original, and in my opinion, the best kind of pizza there is.
Sensational. The sauce, crust and cheese came together in pizza bliss and harmonized creating the most beautiful chord. I loved it. I loved it so much. It reminded me of the pizzas I grew up eating up in NJ. I always think that when a food can truly transport you back in time to a joyful memory, the cook has truly succeeded. In this case, the pizza really did make me go back and so hats off to Pie Society. Bueno.
My husband’s second slice was also delicious and he enjoyed the meaty heat of it, and agreed, this was darn good pizza. But is it the best? I’d have to say that it is the best in San Marcos, hands down. No contest. At all. We will certainly be back.
And as for the elusive speakeasy, that will have to be something that you go see for yourself. It won’t be open for another month or so, but please take my word for it. It is REALLY, really cool.
And now you can go out and try some for yourself! The Pie Society officially opens its doors today at 11 a.m., so go get you some!
Click here to learn more about Pie Society, and visit Tour San Marcos to see another article I wrote about this awesome pizza joint! Plus, you can see what else is going on in our awesome little city, from tubing to hiking, Tour SMTX has what you need to enjoy your summer!
