The following review was published under my byline in the Florida Times-Union on Thursday, July 4, 2013. This is an original, unabridged version of that review.
When you say the words "pizza" and "Avondale" in the same sentence nowadays, your attention may not focus on food but rather the controversy one particular national chain has stirred in wanting to set up shop nearby.
Regardless of how that works out, there are hungry pizza lovers in Avondale right now who deserve their ... wait for it ... slice of the pie. And not even a mile down St. Johns Avenue, the folks at Ale Pie House are skipping the controversy and serving up Italian treats today.
The one-shop concept opened in February in a storefront that most recently housed a Thai eatery. On-site parking is limited (this is Avondale, after all) and dining room flow is challenging. But Ale Pie House makes up for its logistical shortcomings by fielding an impressive collection of salads, subs, paninis, wraps, calzones, traditional Italian dinners and 22 signature pizzas that bring to mind the menu from "that other place."
Pizza crusts come in three styles: New York thin for 10-, 14- and 16-inch pies; a 10-inch Chicago stuffed variety; and a 10-inch gluten-free choice. You can build your own with meat, fruit, veggie and gourmet toppings, including shrimp, crawfish tail and vegan cheese (for a small upcharge). Ten-inch cheese pies start at $7.95 for New York thin, $9.99 for gluten-free and $10.95 for Chicago stuffed. Or choose one of their specialty pies, with such motley configurations as Yummy Hummus, Ale BLT, Spicy Pepper Jack and Traditional Hamburger.
We got to work with one of the more intriguing appetizers, Grandma's Meatball ($4.95), a colossal mound of meat covered in mozzarella and marinara. This plate's best shared or served as a small meal. The Ale House Salad ($3.70) is piled high with spring mix, tomato, mozzarella, black olive, red onion and cucumber and served with a side of feta vinaigrette. It's serviceable, but sharing types might upsize to an entrée salad with tastier options. Protein upgrades--shrimp, grilled or breaded chicken, gyro or chorizo--run $2.90 for any salad.
My fiancée is gluten-intolerant, which means she hasn't had a hamburger since her diagnosis four years ago. The Traditional Hamburger Pie with 10-inch gluten-free crust ($13.95) caught her eye, and fortunately, I caught a slice. Ale Pie House nails this one with traditional backyard flavors, including mustard sauce and pickles to complement the beef, applewood bacon and cheddar-mozzarella blend.
I went for the 10-inch New York thin Vegetarian Pie ($11.95), which includes all the usual suspects along with artichoke and eggplant. It was hard to maneuver this one without a fork and knife as the hefty veggies weighed down the crust--not a bad problem to have. The veggies played well together under the blanket of mozzarella and made for a tasty treat I will repeat.
Desserts include cannoli, cheesecake, rum cake and a fudgy double-chocolate cake. I went for the tiramisu ($5.25), a substantial (read: shareable) yet light slab of Italian bliss topped with cocoa powder.
Great beer is never far from a great pizza, and Ale Pie House offers 15 draft brews ($2.50 to $6.50), including locals Intuition and Bold City, and domestic and import bottles ($3.25 and $4.50, respectively). Soft drink lovers have Coke products on fountain ($1.95), and in an innovative nod to families, 2-liter bottles ($2.50).
Ale Pie House offers lunch and dinner with dining room service, takeout or delivery within five miles for a $10 minimum order and $1 delivery fee. Service was prompt and friendly from our arrival.
Hard-working independents such as Ale Pie House play well in neighborhoods such as Avondale. If you're hungry now, this pie house is worth checking out.
Ale Pie House
3951 St. Johns Avenue, Avondale
(904) 503-8000
AlePieHouse.com (also on Facebook)
Type of Cuisine: Italian
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Credit Cards: All major
Bar Service: Beer and wine
Children's Menu: Yes
Reservations: No
Catering: Yes
Price Range: Overall, moderate read more