Charlie & Millie's Pizza House — Restaurant in Florida

Chicago Cheese, Yes Please!

I’m a Midwesterner by birth and even better, a native to Chicago. What’s the first thing people think of in regards to Chicago and all their culinary glory? Pizza. No one does pizza like they do in Chicago. Now being new to the Tampa Bay area, I have been craving pizza like Snooki and pickles and have been reading through phone books for every possible non-chain I can find. I miss the gooey cheese and slightly sweet red sauce hiding chunks of sausage and discs of pepperoni. Let the clouds part and the cherubs sing for there is a gem of a place in Seminole that is approved by me to call their pizza ‘Chicago’. Charlie and Millie’s Pizza house located on Seminole Boulevard can smack all the other pie joints in the neighborhood with their pizza paddles because their thin crust is fantastic. Charlie and Millie’s is a small wood sided building with an interior reminiscent of corner joints back home with its wood-paneled walls, linoleum floors and Budweiser decorations. Real pizza places don’t need fancy booths or carpet; just a shaker of Parmesan cheese and a shaker of red pepper flake. That’s exactly the simplicity of Charlie and Millie’s. My first time in, I was actually charmed by the paper plates that were brought out and the stack of napkins that promised a slightly messy pizza. In my pizza-pinion there is a difference between messy and greasy and this place is not greasy in a gross way. A cute waitress who takes care of the small dining room promptly brought waters and silverware and when she asked I would like, I asked for a large pizza with peppers and pepperoni. After about twenty minutes of watching a family of eight devour their large cheese at the next table, I was ready to devour mine when it came out. The smell of cheese had my eyes rolling into the back of my head and the taste was amazing. The cheese was perfectly melted although not super droopy where it burns your fingers. It had a savory and dash of salty flavor that complimented the simple red sauce. The pepperoni was not overcooked and the peppers were evenly distributed throughout. Thankfully they were not overcooked or rubbery. I confess. I ate more than half of the 16” I ordered and the rest came home with me in my own pizza box. I walked home with the scent of home and a belly filled with satisfaction. And the price? Very affordable and considering all the generic fast food chains out there, this one tops them all. During the week they have lunch specials of a 9” pizza and Mondays through Wednesdays they offer a free pitcher of beer with the purchase of a large pizza. That drew me in the next week. It’s easy to taste why so many people are returning customers as picking up take-out the girl behind the counter knows many of who walk in the door. And making the pizza? An older couple from Chicago who wanted to bring with them a little piece of home, or pie, to share with their new Floridian friends. Chicago would be proud to say they have pizza slinging natives in the Sunshine State offering one of things...

Charlie and Millie's is pure nostalgia for me. As I walk in it reminds me of a classic mom and pop place back home in small town Ohio, down to the wood panel walls, 80's arcade games and large vinyl booths. On to the important part... The pizza! Let's talk crust, it's just a little thin for me however I love that it's not crispy and it has a little chew to it (just like back home). Up next is the sauce, they actually use a liberal amount of sauce and its fantastic along with the fact that it is thick with a nice tang to it is bliss to me. Toppings... They don't skimp on them however they don't overload it, it's a nice balance of the pepperoni and sausage with the right amount of spice to them (like that girl who is sassy yet classy). For me this is my favorite part, the cheese is on the top! The mozzarella and provolone blend gently melts and seals everything in so you don't lose the valuable toppings (pet peeve of mine). I understand this is nostalgia for me but there is something about a pizza cut into squares (reminds me of homemade pizza on Friday nights). If you are wanting to try something different than NY style or just want a good pizza then try this place... I will be back to Charlie...

I'm from the Southside of Chicago (home of the greatest thin crust pizza ! ) Heard the hype about Charlie & Millies & I thank them for being from the Chicago area. A great restaurant shows pride in their establishment but sadly you won't find that here , in other words a real dumpy place. Park in the back and see the mold all over the outside freezers , inside horrible out of date red plastic drink glasses , pizza served with paper plates ( I mean really ! ) Servers with non friendly and non professional attitudes , somewhat snotty ! Again where is the pride cleaning this place up? The pizza? Your sausage has no big size flavor or that Chicago style fennel , hell Publix Italian sausage blows yours away ! The pan it came on was beat to death , oh in this day an age where bottled water and sparkling water are so popular , healthy and refreshing , you only offer tap water or dirty filtered fountain water. Charlie & Millies please take this review as a hint that you really can make your restaurant and pizza much better if...