52 Weeks: Big Mario’s Pizza, Seattle, WA

 

Seattle's #1 Pizza Joint

Written by Jess R.

Week 38 of 52 (I can’t believe it’s almost the end of 2010)

Big Mario’s New York Style Pizzeria

1009 E. Pike St.

Seattle, WA 98122

(206) 922-3875

Rank: 4/5

Type of Establishment: Pizzeria

Visit: After arriving at Elysian Brewing Co.’s Pumpkin Beer Fest at 11:30AM, we were starved by 2PM. Big Mario’s was right down the street and had the potential to fill our stomachs and our need for quality beer.

Beers on Tap (at time of visit):

Lagunitas IPA

Stella Artois

Coors Light

Blue Moon

Georgetown Manny’s Pale Ale

Miller High Life

Rolling Rock

Stone Porter

Sierra Nevada

Hales Kolsh

Maritime Flagship Ale

HUB Abominable Ale

Bottle List:

Expect your average Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona and Rainer in a can.

Food Options:

Now, I am a girl who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Since then, I have lived in Ohio, New Orleans and Seattle and had yet to find a place that rivals the pizza I grew up on, the pizza that was easy to grab on-the-go and was always so good no matter what time of the day or night. As of Saturday, October 16th, 2010, my world has changed. Big Mario’s offers pies and slices with variety, weight and a price tag I appreciate. With a Lagunitas IPA in my hand, I ordered the sausage and pepperoni slice as well as the fresh basil and mozzarella slice (I was hungry). The slices are fresh, oily, cheesy, with a thin crust that has the perfect amount of soft, doughy texture. This is the best pizza in Seattle- hands down.

PIZZA!

Some background on the owner, Mario Velliotti may convince you of the authenticity even more. I present to you, a little piece of history from Big Mario’s website:

In the winter of 1964, Mario Vellotti emigrated from Naples, Italy to live and work on Mulberry Street in New York City. Mario made his early living tossing pizza and cooking in some of New York’s most notorious kitchens; Angelo’s, Casa Bella on Mulberry Street and Nanni Al Valletto on 59th Street. Later Mario joined his brother and uncle in the family business, opening their world-famous pizzerias in all five Burroughs, including Sal’s on Broome Street, Bensonhurst’s J & V and the original Patricia’s in the Bronx. Big Mario is in Seattle now…enjoy!

Bar Opinions:

Like some of the best pizza joints in NYC, Big Mario’s is open late, until 2AM on Monday through Thursday and Sunday and until 4AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Today, we waltzed in around 2PM. As we walk through the front door, there is a showcase of slices and pies to my right with the oven in the back drop and red booths to my left.

Big Mario’s boasts a narrow space and provides a pizzeria feel without the starkness. Instead, this venue is a pizzeria with a comfortable, neighborhood bar atmosphere. Baseball was on the one TV, several taps of micro-brews were available behind the bar and board games were there to keep you occupied. This is a place I could hang out at all day just grazing on pizza slices.

Located in the edgy Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle, I felt like I was back home in Brooklyn– hanging out with friends, watching the Yanks and eating delicious slices. With the addition of Seattle’s dedication to craft beer,  I must say, I am in love. From here on out, this is the place in Seattle that I will turn to and satisfy my pizza craving.

And if having amazing pizza and micro-brews wasn’t enough, Big Mario’s keeps things exciting this Halloween by celebrating with the best of them on Saturday, October 30th. Event details below.

Big Mario circa 1971

Sat Oct 30
1st Annual Big Mario’s Halloween Party & Lookalike Contest!
Dress like Modern Big Mario or 1971 Big Mario
1st Place winner each night gets $250 Tab at Mario’s, 2nd Place $100 tab
Free! 21+ Only.

This is going to be hilarious! So stop by big Mario’s for a delicious pie, a beer and maybe you’ll even meet the man behind it all, Big Mario circa 2010.