Standard Pizza Co. — Restaurant in Asheville

Last night Rooster decided to have some folks over for a pow-wow and figured having a couple pizzas hanging around might fare well. He conferred with me about where they were to come from. I said "How the hell should I know? I just moved here." He perceived the wisdom in this and dialed up Standard, opting for a straightforward pepperoni and also, a white pie. A few minutes later we hopped into the Roostermobile and shimmied on down that way. It looked like a pretty chilled joint. I gave the menu board a once over and decided that everything was actually priced quite fair. Fair is good. It keeps you from resenting things and the people who price them. By the time this epiphany had run its course, Rooster was handing over some greenbacks and we were on our way back to the barn. I believe that there are 3 types of pizza; first you have the "Cheap Slop". Designed for coating the lining of your stomach to slow the penetration of alcohol, these pies are less about taste and more about filling a niche. They have their time and place, especially when your wallet is on welfare. Secondly, we have the "Step Up". These pies are made with more care than its predecessor, and with better quality ingredients. The crust usually gives you pause for though and the interesting topping combinations lead to arguments and finally, compromise. Then of course you have the gourmet joints where youre looked at like a cretin if you arent using a fork and knife and dont appreciate the sophistication of the Cabrales, Serrano ham and grapes offering. Standard falls distinctly into the middle category. Quality stuff that wont break the bank (everything here is under twenty bucks) The Pies were well balanced and all the ingredients used made their presence known. It seemed to be old hat for the Asheville veterans that graced our presence that evening, but being the new kid on the block I had to take a step back and make note. No doubt Ill be pulling those notes out the next time we're in the mood for a pie. Grade: B- (an oil base on the white pie would really compliment what are mostly dry toppings,...

National Pizza Day, but my wife is out of town so decide to get a calzone. I called in my order and was told it would be 20 minutes. I showed up and gave my name at the front. I was told there was no order under my name. I told the guy at the door what I ordered and was told no such order as mine was there and that I must be at the wrong store. I confirmed that this was Haywood Road, but that didn't seem to resonate. Then the guy at the door just closed the door and walked away. Didn't ask around if anyone remembered my order, nothing. I may not be a smart man, but I do not struggle with geography, and he just walked away like I was lost. I walked back to my car and retailed the number. The same young lady answered. She even remembered my order. She was friendly and looked for the ticket, but couldn't find it. While she was pleasant and wanted to retake the order I was too turned off by the guy at the door to continue. A mistake sure, but treat me like a fool when I arrive for my order and my money will be best spent elsewhere. Gladly there are other pizza places in town for...

Look, if I was on death row, pizza would be my choice for a last meal. I’m a pizza fanatic, I simply love it. This pizza may be the best I’ve ever had! It’s really really good pizza!

Now everybody has their own concept of what makes a pizza good. Here’s what I like about Standard Pizza - The crust to sauce to cheese ratio is perfect, the cheese stays attached and doesn’t just slide off, the cheese and ingredients are high quality and fresh, the large New York style slices are foldable yet the crust is not too thin (a common issue with generic New York pizza places), the sugar, acidity and garlic levels in the sauce are perfectly balanced. It’s greasy enough that when you fold it and take a bite, you’ll get a couple drips on your shirt and maybe a drop on your pants, but no pool of oil on top of the cheese that needs to be mopped up with a napkin before eating.

But my absolute fav part of this pizza is their sausage, small ground pieces of sausage that blends with all the other ingredients, and delicious! Well done sirs...