Daytrip Report: Ellicott City, MD - Part 1
This is part of what we hope to be an ongoing series: documenting daytrips that can be made from the Central PA area. Our first installment comes from Ellicott City, MD - just over an hour and fifteen minutes from York.
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Philip has a confession to make: He is an unabashed pizza geek.
For as long as I can remember, I've had two interests in life: pizza and photography. I've traveled as far as Phoenix, AZ to seek out some of the best pizza the US has to offer. So, naturally, when I found out that a new COAL OVEN pizza joint opened up about an hour from York, I had to take a trip to explore.
Coal Fire, the newest entrant to the Baltimore-area pizza scene, opened about two months ago. It's received much acclaim on the blogosphere (including a mention on SliceNY.com, the most well known pizza blog in the world.)
To avoid going on a lengthy pizza-geek-rant, I'll just say this: Coal ovens cook at very, very high temperatures. Generally speaking, hotter ovens = better pizza. They're also quite rare.
The menu, like the decor, is simple. Most options require you to build your own pizza, with a choice of three sauces: a classic, a spicy, and an in-between. Basic appetizers and sandwiches are also available, but it's clear pizza is the main draw here.
We chose the margherita pizza which is the standard of every good pizza joint. With only mozzarella cheese, the classic tomato sauce, and fresh basil, this pizza is about as simple as it gets.
Whether you decide to chow down with a knife and fork or with your hands, (as the pizza gods intended, mind you) Coal Fire won't disappoint.
Coal Fire's tagline, "Charred to Perfection", doesn't lie. This is one beautiful pizza-crust and one delicious pizza.
My advice? Drive down to Ellicott City as soon as you can. This is some of the best pizza I've had outside of Brooklyn.
Pizza Geeks! For more traditional "reviews" please click here, here, and here.
Coal Fire Pizza
5725 Richards Valley Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043-6901
Check back in a day or two for Part 2 of our daytrip, which will feature the charming Historic Ellicott City area.
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Reader Comments (3)
Fan-effin-tastic pictures! Finally, someone who actually knows how to use a camera delivers great pizza pictures. Great photos and easy to digest, impactful commentary as well. Thanks so much for the link and looking forward to more pictures! --PB
You do good. Keep up the good work. Love you all. Paw
Fabulous! Love what you're doing: great pics, enticing commentary, and fun. I can't wait to see where else you go next. I must have some Coal Fire's pizza in Ellicott City asap - time to make our own trip!