The Monsters Begin to Munch!: Slice Pizzeria (23rd Ave)
Although we had visited Blaze Pizza and Famoso in recent weeks (which we will now have to revisit as Monsters), the idea for PizzaMonsters hadn't struck at that point, and so Slice Pizzeria down south on 23rd Ave at 23rd St is the unwitting, yet (probably) proud recipient of the first official PizzaMonsters visit.
Slice seems a fairly new restaurant which is located in a strip-mall type setting in the Southeast corner of Edmonton. Restaurants can struggle for an atmosphere in these types of locations (strip-malls), and it proved to be the case with Slice, although the lighting and lack of both music and patrons certainly played a part here too. My first impression was that it almost came across as a lounge, probably due to the focal point of the room being a bar.
Above the bar sits a plaque for the Top Choice Award Mark Of Excellence Top Pizzeria In Edmonton 2016. An almost Montgomery Burns-esque monikered Award, to be sure, and one that with a little digging seems likely to be one of those awards that a business can "purchase".
And really, based on the food... I would guess that they did. Not that it was awful, it just didn't seem like this was the best that Edmonton could offer. One thing is for sure, the PizzaMonsters will do their very best to find out!
Here's how we rate it (rating system probably a work in progress, but here goes):
The Grub
1x Kids Pepperoni Pizza (Add Mushrooms)
1x Small Hawaiian Pizza
1x Heineken (Bottle)
1x Chocolate Milk
The Damage
$27 (-tax & tip)
Kingston
The Place: 3 - I like sitting in booths, so that's good, but it's not very kid friendly.
The Crust: 4 - Good crust, not too thick, not too thin.
The Sauce: 3 - Needs some more.
The Cheese: 3 - Cheeeeesey, nom nom.
The Toppings: 3 - I got Pepperoni & Mushrooms, couldn't really tell they were mushrooms though.
The Drink: 4 - Good Chocolate Milk.
Leftovers: 3 - Yum. Still good.
PizzaMonsters Verdict: 3 It's everything I wanted in a pizza so it was good, but Blaze was better and more fun. It's quiet in here, (this was 6:30pm on a Friday evening which is worrying for any restaurant -Steve) I don't think I'd go back.
3/5 PizzaMonsters
Parmesan Cheese & Garlic Sauce were provided at the table.
Steve
The Place: 2 - Friendly and helpful staff, clean W.C.'s, but lacking big in atmosphere and identity.
The Crust: 3 - Solid crust, I'd call it a "regular" thickness, had a good bite to it.
The Sauce: 2 - A dash more sauce would have been in order, and a little more umpfh in the sauce too.
The Cheese: 3 - Decent amount of cheese with a decent amount of stringyness.
The Toppings: 3 - A Hawaiian, so a simple ham & pineapple. Yes, pineapple and I know I just lost some of you. Simple toppings, but they tasted pretty simple too. Needed something more, it just came over a little plain overall.
The Drink: 4 - Hard to screw up a Heineken, mind you. Decent drinks menu overall.
The Leftovers: 2.5 - Next day cooked up alright, stayed moist.
PizzaMonsters Verdict: 2 Barely decent pizza, not great and certainly not Edmonton's best. Slightly dry, slightly bland in a muted atmosphere. I wouldn't go back, not with so many pizza places on offer in here in Edmonton.
2/5 PizzaMonsters
As the weeks & months go on, the PizzaMonsters will explore those pizza places and munch our way through their best pizzas to try and find the Magic Golden Super Best Pizza in Edmonton! Stay with us...
