Address: 2435 SC-160, Tega Cay, SC 29708
I am back after a long absence from EatitCharlotte.com; this is due to the fact I have been dieting rather hard and nothing has really inspired a cheat day…until now, as my true weakness is Pizza… I came across Danny’s Pizza and Pasta after revisiting an area in Charlotte where I lived for many years (Fort Mill, although in a different state is still the Charlotte region.) I moved out of Fort Mill in 2012, the area has changed a lot, but one thing remains constant; for some reason a fresh New York pizza/Italian Deli place opens up in the spot where Danny’s is every couple of years, in this case the constant is change. The spot is always from “a guy from New York” and is supposed to taste just like home… It did not. Danny’s Pizza and Pasta was good on a few fronts, better than the average in the south, but still far, far way (think galaxy) from New York. Maybe I am just too fresh to from my last trip to New York, but Danny’s Pizza and Pasta didn’t live up to the hype of the Yelp reviews.
The Good: I got there exactly at 11:00, when they were just opening. As they lined out the pizza, I was starting to get optimistic, the pizza looked great. Although it was a bit different than a New York spot, given the table service, it still had the same feel. I ordered two slices, one regular, one Sicilian; both were fresh out of the oven.
I always judge a pizza place by how well they do a regular slice. No need to be distracted by toppings, they need to do the basic things right. There are three aspects that make a good slice. 1) Sauce, 2) Cheese, 3) Most importantly… the crust. Two out of three isn’t bad (or is it). The sauce was very good, not too sweet and seasoned well. There was also a good crust to sauce ratio, they didn’t skimp nor did they drown the slice. The cheese was also good, I hate when pizza places use cheap ‘costco’ed’ cheese…they did not. At least it didn’t taste as if they did. It was a decent slice for the Charlotte area, but there was one problem…
The Bad: I am a crust man; a slice cannot be really enjoyed unless it has a crisp yet doughy crust; this slice did not. I picked up my piece of pizza and it dropped like a 90 yr old man who lost his Viagra. It was like my slice created a “L” when holding it; this is the most basic sign that this isn’t a true slice. The slice was right out of the oven, and I expected more. It was decent because of the sauce (and it was pizza), of course I finished it, it’s just the lack of any substance in the crust really put a damper on the piece.
The Ugly: Notice I didn’t mention the Sicilian slice yet; this is due to the fact that I would like to block it from my memory… It was not successful at all, once again I ate it, but it was difficult. If the crust on the regular slice was bad, this one was awful. It was soft and chewy to the point of being doughy. Let me stop mincing words…it was undercooked. This is especially disappointing because I love a good slice of Sicilian. Made even worse by the fact that it really looked authentic. So good in fact, I actually changed my order from the grandma slice to the Sicilian as soon as it came out.
The Verdict: 4.5 out of 10: Maybe they were having an off day, but I probably won’t visit Danny’s Pizza and Pasta again. The pizza just wasn’t that good; I think the spot is located in is some kind of upside down universe for New Yorkers who come down here and word vomit their take on authentic food. Somehow it never tastes like home, and Danny’s Pizza and Pasta is no exception. Not a good way to spend a cheat meal.
Editor’s Note: I have been spending more time on my other Site Maninflight.com, for those of you who love both travel and eating.