Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Coal Fire Pizza in Ellicott City

Coal-fired pizza is coming to Ellicott City, according to comments here and here by folks who have seen signs at the Shipley's Grant development along Rte 108.

(Update: Coal Fire opened in late April 2009. Thanks for all the comments below about the food and restaurant's local owners below. I posted more detail about Coal Fire. Please put your comments there. I'm going to turn off comments here to focus them on that post.)

Does anyone know the story behind this new restaurant Coal Fire -- or whether it is part of an established chain? I first caught wind from a Chowhound post by vivinator. I'm excited because I had terrific pizza in Fort Lauderdale at Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza. That is the crisp crust similar to my local favorite Pazani Trattoria in Elkridge.

Anthony's doesn't list any franchises outside of Florida. Does anyone know what we're getting in Ellicott City?

For my take on pizza, check out my post about pizza in Howard County. Or click for the 2009 "best restaurants" in Howard County.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just stopped by Coal Fire Pizza in my quest to help my son find a summer job. The place is almost done (and is quite beautiful inside) and should be open in 2 weeks, barring any last minute clinches.

Anonymous said...

whats the advantage of coal-fired pizza versus one cooked in a wood burning oven?

HowChow said...

Anonymous, don't ruin the romance before the place even opens!!! I actually have no idea why coal is an advantage. The Anthony's place in Fort Lauderdale was a thin pizza with a crisp crust. Excellent toppings.

Anonymous said...

Coal fire is similar to Anthonys in Florida but is not part of the same franchise. Delicious thin crust pizza will be served from what i hear along with baked wings with Onions. I was inside there a few days ago and it looks like an unbelievable new place. I hear they are open to the public as soon as April 20th.

Anonymous said...

the "advantage" is you get some mercury with your pie

Anonymous said...

is Coalfire the name? and what is the address?

And what is the concern with mercury?

wordbones said...

HowChow,

They now have a sign on the door announcing that they'll open tomorrow at 4 PM.

-wb

Anonymous said...

It's the same owners as Nottingham's down the street and former Trapeze in Maple Lawn

Anonymous said...

Just ate Coal Fire on their opening night. I got the cheese steak sandwich which is cooked with high quality Rib-eye steak. I would highly recommend everyone try that. Also got the Coal Fire Signature pizza which was some of the best pizza I have had in a while. Pretty impressed with the service for the first night they were open.

Anonymous said...

Went to coal fire last night for opening night. Had the signature sauce pizza. Wow. LEt me tell you, this place is fantastic. Some of the best pizza I have had in a while (The sauce is amazing). They actually give you 3 choices of sauce: classic, signature & spicy. The pizza has the taste and feel of a brick oven pizza. Also noticed they have a beef brisket sandwich on the menu that I will def be trying next time there. There is also a nice bar in the restaurant with 2 flat screens. The service was good, and the ambiance is also very nice.

Highly recommend!

HowChow said...

To the anonymous above on April 19 --

The address is 5725 Richard's Valley Road; Ellicott City, MD 21043. This is the Shipley's Grant shopping center that faces Rte 108 between Rte 100 and Rte 175.

I don't know the mercury issue at all. As I was joking above, coal fired seems to have some romantic value, but I don't really know why.

leasol said...

Went to Coal Fire on Friday with my husband and 9 year old. There was a fifteen minute wait so that is a good sign, considering its all from word-of-mouth at this point (no now open sign yet). We had a great meal. My husband especially enjoyed the chicken wings that were smothered in a sweet onion sauce. They didn't have a childrens menu, I hope they will be adding one very soon. It was llittle pricey to order the adult portion of spaghetti and meatballs (11.95) for a nine year old at My daughter really enjoyed and watching the pizza being made. They have a built in bench with a glass wall, I'm not sure if it was intended for children, but it is a real kid pleaser. The pizza roller was doing little tricks for the kids as well.