Satchel's. You knew it was coming

Satchel's Pizza
www.satchelspizza.com
1800 Northeast 23rd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32609

2.5 thumbs up

Menu Highlights: The salads are pretty awesome.

Price Range: Lunch Special is 6.50. It includes a small salad and one slice with one topping. It's a pretty good deal. The whole pies cost 16.50 for a large and toppings are 50 cents each. The toppings list is pretty extensive, check the website.

For any of you who know me personally, you've probably been awaiting this review with baited breath. What is he gonna say? I know he doesn't like their pizza. Is he going to trash Satch? Well, no, I'm not. Not really.

Let's get one thing straight. Satchel's is an AWESOME place. When I have kids, I picture taking them there for their birthdays. Check out this video just to get an idea of what they've done with the place. http://satchelspizza.com/satchels_2003.html

Satchel is clearly a madman. Now, I don't mean "madman" in the kidnap you or performing weddings for household animals kinda way. He's just the type of person who needs a constant outlet for his relentless creative energy. One of my favorite aspects of the place is how most if not all of his "art" is created from recycled objects (bike tires, cell phones, tin cans, reflectors, plastic jugs, bottle caps, etc).

Also, you have to give the man credit for creating a successful business on east 23rd avenue across from a redneck dive bar called the Ole' Barn. He also runs his business in a very progressive manner, paying his employees a living wage and providing health benefits.

The Lightning Salvage Junk Shop/Bar/Venue is certainly one of the most charming spaces I've ever been in and constitutes a work of art in and of itself. If you catch yourself there on a fine crisp autumn evening, you can grab some delicious beers or Mexican Sodas while listening to some live music in the fresh air.



Now let's get down to the food. Satchel's makes one of the best salads around. It has all the goodies of a typical garden salad but with apples and romano cheese. They top it all off with their secret, homemade vinaigrette which is quite delicious.

And here it comes: I'm not a fan of their pizza. In fact, I'd be hesitant to call it pizza other than it resembles pizza. I'm a pretty strict traditionalist when it comes to a pizza pie. I like the old school new york style and I don't really enjoy people taking liberties with it. The sauce should be simple (tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano) and the crust should exist in the ether between crispy and chewy. I have enjoyed variations on pizza in the past, but I don't typically enjoy Satchel's. Here's why. The sauce is wrong and the dough is too powdery and mushy. It's not soggy, but it doesn't have enough resistance. Many people claim to love their sauce because it's a little spicy, but I think the opposite. I like spice. I like spicy sauce. Satchel's sauce just tastes like they put way too much black pepper into it. It's been years since I've tried their calzones, but I remember having the same complaint. I did try their deep dish pizza and was more pleased with the crust, but it was the same sauce.

Another bizarre side note is how they won't cut up your whole pie unless you specifically ask them to. This can be a problem, especially when it's your first time getting it to go. I can't imagine a world where people wouldn't want their pizza cut into slices.

Look, the place is cool. It's fun. But I'd rather not eat their pizza.