“I can't imagine anyone in any walk of life, under any circumstance, wanting to make their own pizza pie,” exclaims Jerry to Kramer in the season 6 Seinfeld episode The Couch.
Kingston business owner Joel Braustein wasn't having any of that. He wants to prove Kramer was onto something. Judging from the filled seats in Ottawa’s newest pizza joint, Jerry, people from all walks of life are coming in to build all kinds of circular tastiness.
After months of ads telling O-town foodies that “things are about to heat up”, Score Pizza officially opened its doors on Rideau Street in January. Braunstein first launched in Kingston, needing something fresh and innovative to fill the space where the city’s beloved The Sleepless Goat café once was.
While fast-food places like Subway and Harvey’s have been letting you “make it your way” for decades, pizza parlors where you could have your pie customized before your widening eyes and grumbling stomach were a rarity…especially in downtown Kingston. Unlike Kramer’s concept, costumers are not asked to fling up the dough or thrust your hands into a hot oven. At Score it’s allllllll about the toppings!
Of course, you could just go with something already put together. There’s the Great White North made with garlic cream sauce, Asiago, Italian sausage and arugula. You could take a taste trip to By-Town, chowing down on red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon and mushrooms. There’s Veggie Fresh for the not so carnivorous, the Hot & Spicy to flame up your taste buds or the plain Jane Margherita. Yup, you could do that but, let’s get real, this place offers over three dozen ways to top you pizza and seemingly endless combos. Indulge!
How about a pesto, goat cheese, grilled chicken blend with a couple of cherry tomatoes? Maybe you want to get really wild and go for spicy red sauce, bocconcini, pulled pork and hot banana peppers. Yowza! Veg it up with a garlic sauce, feta, olives, artichokes and spinach mix all sprinkled with balsamic reduction and basil. Meat lover? Pile on the chorizo sausage and smoked ham!
Though this all seems like it could take some time, Score pizza is a speedy meal ensuring you don’t have to monopolize the bulk of your lunch break on waiting for your food to cook. Cheerful workers line up behind the toppings and serve as a high-speed assembly line. You pick it, they top it and move your pie down to the next section until your invention is ready to be tossed into their stone fired oven. Really, it's ready in minutes.
Did I mention that a 12” regular with all the toppings you can muster is only $12.25? A smaller sampling can be had for $8.25.
On first bite you realize this is not your average pizza. With no insult to the fine chefs of Italy, my first thought was of the pie I ravenously consumed in Sorrento while watching the sun set over Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. Yeah, Rideau is hardly offering that kinda' view but Score is offering that kind of taste and they're doing it faster than any pizza place in town. 30 minutes or it’s free? Try 3 minutes and it’s awesome!
My partner Beth and I opted to vary it up with two different creations. Initially, we both offered to share our slices but after a taste this became increasingly more difficult as neither of us wanted to give up something so scrumptious. While I tend to leave most pizza crust on the plate, I had no problem polishing this off as it was so light. Yes, there’s a gluten-free option! I also find most tomato sauces a little too acidic but whatever Score is using nudges things nicely into my saucey Goldilocks zone….it was juuussssst right. As for the cheese...it was gooey goodness. You could also tell that the toppings were fresh and hadn’t been sitting there all day.
Now, while it may be easy to go all top it up crazy with a mountain range of ‘em all over your ‘zza, I suggest moderation in order to experience the flavor of your delectable invention better. Besides, you’re going to want to leave something to come back to when you’re ready to cook up your next (INSERT NAME HERE) Original!
The place also has some fantastic fried sandwiches and, continuing the concept started on the pizza, you can build your own salads too. Rocky mountain chocolate brown for dessert? Ohhhhh why not?!
“Come in and have a seat or take it to go. Either way, at Score Pizza, we deliver cravable experiences,” Score promises.
This reviewer agrees, giving this pizza a high “Score”!