Alex's Pizzeria: No Frills but Tasty Pizza

I often use the phrase no-frills when I describe a restaurant that doesn't focus on decor or when the service is efficient and not much else. I thought I had been to my fair share of no-frills establishments until I set foot in Alex's Pizzeria.

It is a small space with old linoleum floors, thick black rubber mats that prevent slipping, one table with two metal folding chairs, one refrigerated drink case and no cash register. The color scheme is white, black and metal. There are dozens upon dozens of folded white pizza boxes in neat stacks throughout the shop. The place is cash only and when I asked for a receipt one was handwritten for me in an old fashioned book. The menu has two things: large or small pizzas. There are 10 toppings and the option for extra cheese, extra sauce or just cheese or just sauce. You cannot get a medium pizza. You cannot get a slice. There is no hawaiian or garlic lovers pizza here. 

I was intrigued by the minimalist decor and menu. I ordered a small mushroom pie, sat down and flipped through a hunting magazine which was laying on the table. I took a few sips of my cherry Coke and watched as the two gentlemen expertly rolled out perfect spheres of pizza dough. I also noticed huge jars of homemade tomato sauce with aluminum foil lids.

There is a homey feel to Alex's Pizzeria, you feel as though you are in someone's kitchen watching them make pizzas for dinner. The shop is a small but efficient space. The pizza ovens were sparkling clean and capable of cranking out hundreds of pies a night, if need be.

I took my pizza to go and when I opened the box I was surprised to see a swirl of cheese and a thick layer of deep red tomato sauce. There were plenty of chopped, canned mushrooms and the crust was a gorgeous golden color. I took a bite and immediately noticed the much more substantial crust. It's about double the thickness of a typical slice of pizza.The crust is also more dense than your average slice's. All that said, it was tasty.

The tomato sauce was very simple with a strong tomato flavor. It was not overshadowed by tons of garlic, onion, olive oil, chili flake or Italian herbs. The tomato is what stood out. The funny thing about the pizza is that it got better with each bite. After the novelty of the extra thick crust wore off, I found myself eating each subsequent slice faster and faster. It's a different kind of pizza but I enjoyed it very much.

I already mentioned the sparse decor and the lone refrigerated drink case (the Coke family of products-- coke, cherry coke, diet coke, sprite, ginger ale and nestea). The service is efficient and basic. The staff are not overwhelmingly friendly but not cold. My questions were answered patiently and my pizza came out within the 10 minute time frame I was given. I imagine that they are more outgoing with regulars and I was clearly a first-timer. Let's chalk it up to shyness. I'll report back the next time I go there. I have a feeling I'll start to get cravings for their unique pizza.