Trattoria E Pizzeria de Enrico is a casual institution around here. It's part of a small group of Italian spots, and it was one of the first places that people recommended when they started to comment on HowChow.
Last week, we ordered a whole pizza because fresh always seems better than the slices that they sell individually. Way too much for two -- especially because we split a calzone beforehand. This is pizza with the basics -- cheese, sausage, and thin-sliced mushrooms. We dug in.
No grease spots. That's how you can tell Trattoria kicks out pizzas with more ambition than the chains. Even cooling, the cheese stays delicious. The crust stays crisp, but still chewy with a thick sauce and the right balance of all the ingredients. With the calzone, you get an extra cup of sauce for dunking. Trattoria doesn't sell new jack pies like Coal Fire or Facci, but I plowed through at least one slice too many because that made a great dinner.
Oddly, it made a totally different leftover. After a day in the fridge, the dough flattens. Reheated, it crisped into something thin and more like Coal Fire. Delicious in round two as well.
What is your pizza place? I can't enough pies to tour the entire county. Amazing to think that I ate pizza five days a week through college. I am shocked that I survived two in a week now. I'm convinced that Facci and Coal Fire sell the gourmet pizza around here. Trattoria does the best standard pies that I know. Where else?
Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico
8630 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
410-381-1255
NEAR: This is in the King's Contrivance Village Center. This is south of Rte 32 and east of Rte 29. King's Contrivance has the new Harris Teeter, a Bagel Bin, and a CVS. Take the Eden Brook Drive / Shaker Drive exit from Rte 32. Follow the signs south to Eden Brook Drive, which goes right past King's Contrivance.
I know its a chain, but what do folks think of Bertucci's? We stop there for lunch pizza sometimes when we're in that area and have yet to be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Bertucci's has the Best HoCo Pizza, even though its a chain.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Bertucci's. I would put that in the top group for standard pies. Not a better pizza than Coal Fire or Facci, but a great place to eat.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about Vennari's pizza the original Columbia pizza. I think its been in Oakland mills (on and off) for close to 30 years. I never really cared much for there crust but i always loved there sauce.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Trattoria! We go to the one in Dorsey's Search weekly. Best pizza!
ReplyDeleteI really like Roma's Pizza and Subs in the Atholton Shopping Center. Independent pizza is always best. I simply won't eat from other delivery places. Bertucci's has the best margarita pizza! Woodfire makes a huge difference when it comes to baking a pizza.
ReplyDeleteNobody mentioned Strapazza? Being from New Yawk, I have yet to find a "real" pizza in Maryland, but Strapazza's is as close as you can get. Thin crispy crust, great sauce, cheese is just the right textures. Reheats well in the oven the next day, but we rarely have leftovers.
ReplyDeleteWe love Pazani's for New York style ... perfect thin crust with just the right about of chewiness. Love the plain cheese, but the roasted veggie is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteKristen
Trattoria is our go-to spot for pizza -- especially with the weekly specials! (Sunday in KC, buy one, get one for $1.99; Monday in Dorsey, $7.00 cheese pizza).
ReplyDeleteCouple other things: The (off the menu) gnocchi with aurora sauce in KC is to die for, as is the carbonara at any of the three locations.
Little-known fact: As for the by-the-slice pizza, they slightly undercook it at first, and then finish it off in the oven when you order.
Gateway Pizza. They have some interesting fusion options, such as pizza topped with tandoori chicken and paneer.
ReplyDeletePhilly's Best is our neighborhood go-to - their prices are great and they always deliver a reliably very good pizza. Trattoria is great for a special change of pace, too!
ReplyDeletePazani's --- All the way. There's is hands down the best NY style pie around here. I love it. Everything about that little place makes me smile. The pizza comes out piping hot and PERFECT. Everytime. They also have some amazing paninis.
ReplyDeleteBertucci's and Facci are a toss up for best pizza. I always go for wood fired. Coal Fired left me cold! Roma on Phelps Luck makes a good NY Style pizza if that is your thing.
ReplyDeleteSanta Lucia (Jessup)...very good and close to home. But we vote for Facci for the best! Trattoria is now on my list...
ReplyDeleteTrattoria in KC is great - it's my neighborhood pizza joint. I prefer Facci for "fancy" pizza but Trattoria is tops for my 2 and 4 year-old daughters. They both spend 90% of their lives on a perpetual hunger strike but the barely 30 lb five year old can and will somehow put away 2 slices of pizza if it's from Trattoria!
ReplyDelete@David Hobby - Please tell us more about this gnocchi with aurora sauce!
We love Trattoria in Dorsey's Search - the sandwiches there are good too! I figure any place where real Italians are making the pizza is a step up from a chain!
ReplyDeleteI really like Bertuccis and Trattoria in KC. Sometimes, Luna Bella is good and sometimes not. By the slice I think Three Brothers is the worst but I have not had a whole pie there so far as I can remember. I had Roma's a couple months ago and it was very greasy. I do like the Kabob House near the hospital owned by the same guy as Roma's. My family likes the spot in the Columbia Mall eatery too.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify I mean Sbarro in the Mall Food Court. Kind of expensive though for a couple of slices. I wish Mellow Mushroom would open in this area.
ReplyDelete+1 Pazani all the way!
ReplyDeleteI ate at Trattoria a few times when I moved to KC and then the horrific happened. HAIR in my pizza. Personally, I am a New Yawka too. And Facci, Coal Fire and I am surprised that no one mentioned, Pasta Blitz... Which I find to be good for plain ole plain ole...
ReplyDeleteBut really, Facci finally getting a 2go area makes me so happy. Having a baby, means a lot of our meals are 2go!
@Anonymous. Strapazza doesn't exist anymore, at least not the one on Centre Park Drive.
ReplyDeleteI love Trattoria. I live in King's Contrivance, so when I'm on a walk to the Harris Teeter, sometimes I stop in there with the little one. =)
ReplyDeleteRoyal Pizza on Snowden is the best New York style pizza. They make their own sauce fresh, and it shows. That sauce is fantastic. I always get extra.
ReplyDeleteI love the Tratorria. My ritual when I lived in the apartments right across from the KC location was to go there on Friday nights and a get a slice and a little salad and order it in my mangled Italian, which always got a smile. I refused to give up my weekly slice, even when I was at my most adamant about dieting.
ReplyDeleteWe like Trattoria, too. Pastablitz (near Eggspectation) is pretty decent, too. To the person who commented about Three Brothers - I actually think their fresh slices are not good. They're better after sitting and being heated to serve - really. Whenever I go I hope to NOT get it fresh from the oven.
ReplyDeleteStrapazza is now Tino's ~ they have pretty good pizza too ~ the veggie pizza is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI love Trattoria, I just don't get it as much as I would like though.
ReplyDeleteOur goto for delivery is royal because my wife is in love with their wings.
I'm going to have to try Roma's or Philly's Best tomorrow. I'm in the mood.