575 PIZZERIA - SOMETIMES YOU WANNA GO
Pizza. Just the word burns the roof of my mouth. I love pizza. I have always loved pizza. Growing up in Amarillo, we have never had a shortage of pizza joints. When I was a kid, before the invention of pizza delivery, pizza joints were a magical place, where you actually went in, sat down, ordered pizza, and ATE THE PIZZA THERE. I remember days following a T-ball game of going to Pizza Planet at 33rd & Bell for a Smorgasbord filled with Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni, Hamburger, and a concoction known as Taco Pizza. We washed it all down with endless Root Beer or Rondo while we watched our moms devour their Chef’s Salads. When we tired of Pizza Planet, we would mix in a visit to Shakey’s where you were charged by the pound for their Pizza Buffet and Mojo Fries. When our teenage appetites hit our parents wallets, we were sent to the original Mr. Gattis, Showbiz or Pistol Pete’s for an orgy of pizza and video games. I still think I am money ahead on their all-you-can-eat and play for one price.
Then Domino’s happened. Quick delivery of pizza meant an end to pizza joint visits. Pizza Hut’s distinctively shaped locations started to close and their pizza became commoditized. Quality pizza was replaced with quick, cheap alternatives where convenience and price took precedent. The one exception in my opinion is Pizza Planet. Their pizza still tastes exactly as I remember it. NOTHING tastes like Pizza Planet’s Canadian Bacon or their Thousand Island dressing. Mmmmmmmmm………….Nostalgia.
Then 575 Pizza arrived and nirvana was achieved. Everything was perfect: the intimate interior, the fantastic employees, the crowd, the huge selection of the finest beers in the land, and the pizza; OH MY GOD, THE PIZZA. I have never experienced anything like the perfection that occurs in that little building. I have tried to find better pizza and have repeatedly been disappointed. 575 is just that good. Their oven works its magic on pepperoni creating little gloriously burned, crispy bits. The seasoning installed under the dough before its oven journey is delightful.
For a while there, we visited 575 at least twice per week. We tried all the pies, salads and beers. Our car almost knew its way to 575. We began to know the staff so well, we went to the wedding of two of the employees. We became friends with the owner and the managers. My wife had her own Local's Choice for a time. The HulaNoma was a blend of Pepperoni, Pineapple and Green Chiles. I cannot recommend it enough.
Pro Tip: when you are trying to be mindful of calories and restraining yourself to one of their phenomenal salads, ask them to run a small container of pepperoni through the oven for a tasty addition to the top of your salad.
When the new Hillside location opened, it brought an entirely new crowd to the experience along with more room. An expansion of ideas, beers, and community involvement was achieved. Even though we visit Hillside on a much more frequent basis because of the proximity to our house, the OG Civic location is still known as “Our 575.”
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
Going to 575 on Monday night carries a different vibe than a Friday night. The line is non-existent; the jockeying for a spot at the bar lessened. We took our spot at a table, ordered our beers, and settled in for a treat.
After the delivery of our perfect brews, a pairing of the Tine Trio was ordered to begin the festivities. A staple on their menu, flatbread is served with some warm, ooey-gooey spinach-artichoke dip, some tomatoey-garlicky bruschetta, and olive tapenade. The dip is really good. The bruschetta is delightful. The tapenade is wondrous. The combo of olivey brininess with vampire thwarting levels of garlic are habit forming. 575’s tapenade is the what olives should aspire to give their lives for.
On to the pie. Ordering a pizza at 575 is a lesson in opportunity costs. If I get the Green Stripe Piggy, I can add the green hot sauce to perfect the taste. If I get the Tomaino, I can have those super savory meatballs. If I get the Bender, I can have an actual “Meat Lovers” pizza. I can get the Mezcal and pound 3 beers to put the fire out. Or I can order the Kamehameha (my personal fave) and get the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. They need to install a wheel for you to spin so you can be surprised instead of having to decide for yourself like an adult.
But tonight, nothing short of Omni “Our Way” will do. Omni “Our Way” started out of mine and my wife’s dislike of green peppers. Notice I did not say hate. I’ll eat green peppers, I just don’t care for them. It seems like when I eat green peppers, I’m reminded of them the rest of the day with a persistent return of the flavor. And it is not my favorite flavor. Food hate is reserved for the truly deserving items that cannot be tolerated. Like bananas. So on the Omni, we sub green chiles for green peppers for “Our Way.” For the other half of the pie, Edelweiss was chosen for no other reason than its deliciousness.
Even 10 years in, 575 is stellar. I have had 575 pizza so many times, I take it for granted. When I take the time to pause, savor and appreciate it, I am startled at how damn good it is. The dough is a perfect combination of crisp, chewy, dry and moist (everyone’s favorite word) and the ingredients are all-stars. I cannot imagine a better pizza.
575 will be always be the clean-up hitter in the Eat Out Amarillo rotation. For any new-comer to town, 575 is the #1 recommendation. Now, if they only served Rondo and had a Ms. Pac Man.
2803 Civic Circle
Amarillo, TX 79109
7710 Hillside Rd
Suite 700
Amarillo, TX 79119
