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Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Your A-List: Best Pizza
The story of Mangia pizza dates back more than 30 years, to when eventual owner Jeff Sayers spent six weeks in OSHA training in Chicago. Sayers’ time in the Windy City eating amazing deep-dish pies planted a seed in his head, and he decided that Austin needed its own pizza joint that served pizzas in the classic Chicago style.
After developing ideas for his new business, Sayers returned to Chicago in 1985 to learn the ropes firsthand. After three years, with newfound knowledge under his belt, Sayers returned to Austin, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Mangia opened for business at 1610 San Antonio St. in November 1988. The signature Godzilla, for which the store is widely known, was inspired by the epic tattoo of then-neighbor Jim ‘Prince’ Hughes, owner of Atomic City. The Mangia owners felt that the massive, mythic creature was the perfect symbol for their famous overstuffed pizza, once known as the ‘Zilla and now known as the Mangia Mia, according to co-owner Mark Negro.
In January of 1992, Mangia moved to its location on Anderson and has since opened four more locations, including its most visible on Guadalupe Street, and a spot in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Negro says that each restaurant relies heavily on a business clientele during lunch hours, with students accounting for the bulk of dinner customers at the Guadalupe location and families frequenting the other locations at night.
Although the restaurants have added greatly to their menus over the past 15 years, the place will always be known for its deep, stuffed pizzas, which can often take newcomers by surprise.
Watching individuals or families work their way through the task of finishing a Mangia pie is a fun part of the dining experience. But most plates go back empty.
Negro, a former Hilton hotels executive who joined the Mangia team in 1998, says the secret to Mangia’s success and staying power is the quality ingredients used in their products.
“The key is, we use great ingredients, and we don’t sacrifice quality. It all starts with the basics, and we use premium products,” Negro told me.
Mangia execs admit that they give careful consideration to expansion but acknowledge that the heart and soul of the restaurant is in Austin.
“Austin’s been real good to us,” Negro said.
And you to them.
Mangia Pizza [site]
(Hours vary by location)
Others receiving votes: Austin’s Pizza (20 percent), Home Slice (14 percent), Saccone’s (7 percent), Conan’s (7 percent), East Side Pies (4 percent), South Austin Flying Pizza (3 percent), Rounders (3 percent), Salvation Pizza (2 percent), The Onion (2 percent), Whole Foods (1 percent), Cippolina (1 percent), Slices ‘n’ Ices (1 percent), The Parlour (1 percent), and Enoteca (1 percent).
Write-ins: Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Austin Pizza Garden, Baris, Brick Oven, Brooklyn Pie Co., Craig-O’s, Domino’s, Double Dave’s, Frank and Angie’s, It’s Italian, Lamp Post Pizza, Mandola’s, Mellow Mushroom, Milto’s, Papa Murphy’s, Pizza Nizza, Reale’s, Rockin’ Tomato Pizza, Rome’s, Rudino’s, Uno’s, Yaghi’s
A personal aside: For my money, there’s no beating Salvation Pizza. Co-owner Liz Mahoney, a former manager at Starlite, grew up in Connecticut and learned the pizza business first-hand from her parents, who run one of the state’s finest pizza joints. She brought that knowledge of how to make crunchy and delicious Napolitano-style pizza to 624 W. 34th St., and for that, I am very grateful.
Image taken from Mangiapizza.com.
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Your A-List: Best Hotel
With a main building constructed more than 120 years ago, the Driskill stands as an architectural beacon in the heart of downtown Austin, its opulent bars, banquet rooms and restaurant a luxurious oasis set in an urban environment.
From the collonaded lobby to the stained-glass dome ceiling, the Driskill is the epitome of old-school Texas charm and decadence. The elegant setting extends from the common areas to each of the rooms, which feature original art and ornate beds.
As for dining, it is hard to find much better than the Driskill Grill, and the more casual 1886 Cafe & Bakery, which play host to hotel guests and Austinites alike. And during one of any of our many festivals here in town, whether it be SXSW or the Austin Film Fest, it is highly likely you might be sharing bar space with an international celebrity as he or she sips on a martini in the cavernous yet comfortable bar.
Whether you want to get away for a weekend or just a couple of hours, it is obvious that the Driskill is at the top of your list for an urban retreat.
The Driskill Hotel [site]
604 Brazos St. [map]
Others receiving votes: Hotel San Jose (23 percent), InterContinental Stephen F. Austin (16 percent), Four Seasons (15 percent), Hyatt Lost Pines Resort (4 percent), Hilton Austin (4 percent), South Austin Motel (4 percent), Omni Austin Downtown (4 percent), Renaissance Austin (3 percent), Lakeway Resort & Spa (2 percent), Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott (2 percent), and Sheraton Austin (<1 percent).
Write-ins: Austin Motel, Barton Creek Resort, Embassy Suites-South, Mansion at Judges’ Hill
A personal aside: Rarely am I lucky enough to actually stay in a hotel in Austin, but I often enjoy a meal, a drink or an event at many hotels in town. It’s hard to beat the Driskill Bar during Austin Film Festival, or a drink on the patio at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin, or a cocktail by the pool at the Hotel San Jose in the evening. And the views and service at the Four Seasons are incomparable. So I’ll just mark this one down as a four-way tie on my personal scorecard.
Image taken from Driskillhotel.com.
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