I like pizza--obviously. I had never been exposed to some really exceptional pizza or even something famous and regional, but I as I thought, pizza is pizza.
I was wrong.
Located on South Congress, Home Slice is a dine-in New York-style pizzeria with a take-out slice stand next door.
(Dine-in)
(Take-out)
I arrived at an appropriate time for dinner on Friday evening. I wanted to eat at the dine-in pizzeria:
But at an hour and a half wait, opted for the dining area inside the slice stand:
The atmosphere is pretty much anything you can imagine a pizzeria would be on a Friday evening, especially on mustache night, where a mustache, real or drawn, will merit a ten percent discount--light-hearted and fun, filled with hungry people anticipating an amazing slice of pizza.
As for the pizza--it's good. It's really good.
As my friend described the amazing New York-style pizza, it is thin, crunchy, and chewy. A large slice to be folded in half, served on the perfect, thin paper plate. It is delicious.
(Margherita)
Home Slice offers pizza by the slice and as an entire pie. It was recommended to me to also get garlic knots, which are buttery and delicious, complete with marinara sauce.
Slices range from $3.00 to $3.50, and garlic knots are $3.50.
Located in the deceptively humble neighborhood of trailers, Home Slice is surrounded by the beauty of the Austin skyline and the distinctive and exciting energy of South Congress.
(View from South Congress)
(The Hearse Limo)
(Jo's Coffee)
Home Slice is filling, tasty, and something to be craved. I will be returning. Often.
While eating my dinner, I noticed an elaborate, drawn-on mustache, and met a friendly couple.
"Team Skanks"
They preferred to be called "Team Skanks," an inside play on their last names, Skinner and Franks.
Team Skanks are 26 years old and have lived in Austin for a year and a half. They say that "friends and a job" brought them to Austin, and that the same friends and the "quirkiness" of the city keep them here.
Franks said, "The city promotes a sense of individuality," and explained that unlike other cities, in Austin, the "norm" is not prized. "The band is as wide as possible."
They explained that they came to Home Slice because "we think it's the best pizza." Skinner added, "I crave it."
They enjoy going to movies, into town, down Congress, swimming at the community pool, and going to the gun range. They've been to the wiener festival, Eyore's (from Winnie the Pooh) Birthday Party, and enjoy experiencing "quirky Austin things."
Franks said, "I butcher the hell out of metaphors," the worst of which was comparing the way a girl walked to a freshly born horse. "They don't make any sense," Skinner said with a smile.
Skinner enjoys the presence of the "lone star" outside the Bob Bullock theater.
The two met their freshman year in college, and Skinner explained that she had a crush on his roommate. They both smiled. They are now engaged.
Team Skanks favorite restaurant:
Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe Street
A wine bar and restaurant that is "a fancier dinner that is not super expensive."
Austin's Hidden Treasure:
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina Drive
Next week, Team Skanks send me to the Cathedral of Junk.