Anto's Pizza Romana — Restaurant in Conway

Yo, Ant! (I gotta say it felt like home hearing you say “Bri”. Didn’t realize I missed it so much till I heard it lol)

Anyway, right off the bat, easily the best I’ve had in South Carolina and would absolutely go toe to toe with places up North.

I was born and raised in Philly, and been down here about 10 years. Every now and then my daughter and I go on a mini pizza road trip.

Saw Anto’s on Instagram, heard him say water like “wooder” and I knew right then I had to try it out. Also seeing how much care they put into it, even having a special water system to get the water like they do up north!?

Made the 3 hour drive and I’m glad I did. Like I said, for me, this is the best pizza I’ve had in South Carolina. I always go with classic cheese whenever trying a new place.

So that’s what I started with. Saw fresh basil and some grated Romano on top, and I knew as soon as I saw it and smelled it that it was gonna be good. And it was delicious. Flavorful that you only get with fresh ingredients (Talking to them after, they told me about how they get their produce from local farms as well and you can taste the freshness absolutely)

I then saw reading the menu his speciality is the Roman style pizza so I had to try that as well (they had tomato pie) and I gotta say I’m really glad I did. It’s 80% water in the dough, and the little I know about baking etc that typically means longer slower process for the dough developing deeper flavors and also making it airy and crispy and that was absolutely the case. This crust was ridiculously delicious. Honestly I liked that (Roman style) crust better than the ny style, which I did not expect.

I got an extra pie to bring home for my friends mom who’s also from Philly, and I wish I got another pie of the Roman.

THEN as I’m writing this I read about this hot honey pepperoni is apparently real good and looks delicious.

So I’m gonna just have to make a second trip to get a pie of Roman and a pie of that hot honey pep.

Aaaaaanyway, I’m long winded whatever.

The checkered table cloths, classic pizza shop inside, had some good Italian lemon soda, some good ol fashioned Dean and Frank playin…

So good.

And everyone there was so welcoming and warm.

Also I don’t wanna give specifics cause I don’t want anyone to take advantage? But they were very sweet and generous to some people in their community as well.

Then as we were talking they gave me some of their fresh oregano they have there that they sell.

Literally everything you could want and more. Not sure where you’re from exactly, Ant, we never got to that, but wherever it is, you’re doing them proud for sure.

For what it’s worth, I wish you and your wife all the success you desire, and I’m so happy to see people putting their heart into something and doing it so well. I’m happy...

Walking in you seat yourself. Nothing telling you that you place your order by walking up to the counter. Order what you want. Find an open table. Get your own drink, again no wait staff. Wait for 65 minutes and they do bring your pizza to the table. I notice no one cleans the tables, you are supposed to put your own dishes and trash in the trash, which is over full and spewing on the floor. Other patrons are now sitting at tables with remnants from previous customers stacked on the table, pushed all to one side. Disgusting

Pizza comes. You are only allowed to have a max of 4 items on the pizza, weird, but ok I guess. Two pizzas, 4 waters, 6 garlic knots, tip, $83 bucks. Pizza is cook well enough for a thicker pizza. We ordered their Roman style pizza which is square and a traditional round. Hand tossed, kinda thick crust, cooked perfectly, but wait, it’s served on the pizza cooking screen? You can taste the burnt remnants from previous pizzas which is a big no-no for anyone who has ever had pizza, the cooking screens are to be cooked till clean and have the left over whatever baked off and shaken off for the next pie! THEN there is the taste, or should I say lack of taste. Meat only pizza was bland. Each topping tasted individually was weak tasting. Very little sauce and the just over all not tasty what so ever. The bread was cooked well enough with a nice even golden brown crispy crust but that was it. I drove over 1 hour to get this awesome pie and it was over priced and didn’t have good taste. Totally disappointed. Service was nonexistent and there washer trash cans over full and on the floor. Tables were dirty with dirty cups and paper plates and dirty napkins. Did I mention you eat off paper plates and no silverware. Ridiculous and not worth the effort. Seriously, Dominos is better. Pizza Hut has wait staff that clean the tables and you get real plates and silverware. Avoid this place, try something...

FRIENDLY ADVICE 🍕 Get in there to order sooner than later! I've heard/seen numerous complaints. Anto's is rightfully successful & high in-demand at the moment. Respect the limitations of this pizzeria/Italian restaurant and the scale in which they're physically able to prep, store, cook, and serve. Phenomenally fermented dough takes days to achieve and consumes vast refrigerated real estate. It's limited. Once they sell out for the day, they're out! Early bird gets the worm ;)

While staying with family in town, they mentioned a new pizza place recently won 1st place in the focaccia category at the Pizza World Cup in Rome (congratulations btw). Naturally, we had to check it out!

Halloween in Conway draws in a bunch of tourism, so Downtown was packed. They serve both whole pies and pizza by the slice - Roman and NY. Due to the influx of Halloween festivities, by 1pm, the wait was 1hr 45mins and they'd text me when it's done. We wanted to enjoy some cocktails by the Waccamaw, so it wasn't a bad wait.

We ordered the Roman-style Pat's Hot Honey Pep - Cupped Pepperoni, Hot Honey, Ricotta, and Fresh Basil. Once it was ready we were easily able to pull up at a table and feast. THIS PIZZA WAS UNBELIEVABLE. The Roman crust was unlike any I've had up until now (& this include Sicilian-style). A high hydration dough makes it light, airy, and crispy with a slight char on top. Unlike Sicilian-style, which comes off chewier and more dense. The square pie with sweet, salty, earthy, and hint of spice for well balanced flavor represented in every slice. My fiance & I were highly impressed. And top it off, the owner(s) were both extremely kind & informative.

Best pizza anywhere near Myrtle Beach. They filled the void everyone was hoping to fill. I'll be going back every time I head...