Favilla's NY Pizza — Restaurant in Asheville

Pizza was under-baked, bland, and thoroughly disappointing. On the uber ride out the driver recommended ordering one of their specialty pizzas, saying "the basic pizzas are just that, basic". The restaurant was unimpressive from the outside and equally unimpressive when I walked in, but we all know that dives can put out some great food.

I sat down to check out the menu for the specialty pizzas the driver mentioned- nothing on the menu, just pizzas by size with a charge per topping. I decided to order a few slices with different toppings - nope, no ordering by slice after 5 PM. At that point I ordered a basic cheese pizza as a good thin-crust NY-style cheese pizza is great without any toppings and should stand on its own if the place is any good.

As I was waiting for my pizza to come out the couple next to me got their pizza and had to send it back because it was under-baked. My pizza arrived and it had the same problem. The guy at the next table hypothesized that their oven was having issues because even after sending his pizza back the top was crisp while the bottom was underdone.

Even if it was baked properly, this pizza was seriously lacking. The crust was way too thick to qualify as NY-style. The pizza was incredibly bland- even if it had been baked properly, the dough, cheese, and sauce were all lacking in flavor. I've made better pizzas with store-brand dough, sauce and cheese.

With so many good restaurants in Asheville and a variety of decent pizza joints, I have no idea how Favilla's has gotten such a...

If you're a NY pizza snob like me, you'll be home sick the minute you walk into this place. Understated and casual as any great pizza place should be. But of course the reason to go, simply the best pizza I've had since moving south in 1997, no joke, it's that good. I've lived and it ate in virtually every city down here, from New Orleans to Charleston, honestly, nothing's come close to Favillas authenticity. I've even surprised myself, usually very traditional, stick with the basics, plain slices, may a pepperoni or sausage once in a while. This place has me enjoying options I NEVER liked before, buffalo chicken, grandmas style, never even really liked Sicilian, but here? Forget it, just amazing. I've now tried at least 8 or 9 pizza options, a half dozen sandwiches and then there's the "novelties" you'll see behind the glass, pepperoni and spinach with cheese pinwheels, and mini buffalo chicken just to name a few, all just as good as the traditional items you'll find on the menu. Can't say enough about this place, FINALLY, after 25+ years down south, I got a place to bring friends and family when they start whining "you can't find good pizza down south", BS, come try Favilla's, you won't be disappointed and you definitely won't go...

....and the winner of the best calzone in Asheville is Favilla's!! I am a self-proclaimed Calzone connoisseur. Every time we find a new pizza place, I have to try their calzone. I have searched for the one talked about in the legends of the "good old days." Perfect golden brown crust, crispy and soft at the same time. The most delicious flavorful quality mozzarella and ricotta cheese. I always add ham and garlic. Since I'm not picky, I never ask them to roast the garlic, but I always hope. Some places will actually add chopped up roasted garlic, but most places add chopped fresh garlic. Which is fine. However, Favilla's added roasted pieces of garlic (check out the pictures). Like butta' baby! Each bite was like biting into perfection. 🥰 the taste, salt level, it was all so perfectly balanced. Mmmmm, take the prize Favilla's, you deserve it.

...Also, they told us they do fried calzones....oh mama.. I have never tried that before.. but that sounds delish! And they import JAMAICAN beef patties from NY!!! Oh, I just love this place.... 🥹🫶 Also, my husband said his Stromboli was the "best one around"! 👍 Also, my son said his pizza...