Fat Olives â A Classy Slice with a Side of Sass
Fat Olives serves up a big plate of charm with a generous helping of grease - and I mean that in the tastiest way possible. This place is easy to find with a decently sized parking lot (a rare dough-light in busy Homer), and I loved the dedicated to-go window up front. It keeps things flowing so the dining area doesnât feel like a waiting room at the DMV.
Vibe: The vibe is a mix of rustic, artsy, and pizza-parlor posh. The high ceilings make it feel airy and a bit upscale, which pairs nicely with the casual menu. The art lining the walls is all from a single artist. Itâs cohesive, sure, but with all the mural talent around Homer, Iâd love to see them toss in some variety. Think of it like toppings on a pizzaâwhy settle for just cheese when youâve got all of Alaskaâs creative spice rack to choose from?
The space is divided into two main eating rooms, separated by a partial wall. We were seated in the back room, which felt a little disconnected. If you need to use the bathroom, be prepared for the Homer version of an art gallery walk - looping through both rooms and around the corner. Not a deal-breaker, but definitely a bit of a trip.
Food: Hereâs where things get saucy. Most of the food was a little greasy, but oh-so-good. My calzone was stuffed to perfectionâflaky on the outside, molten cheese lava on the inside, and big enough to double as a life raft. If you're only here once, cal-zone in on that order.
My wife went for the salmon burger, and while we appreciate the use of fresh fish, it came out pretty mushy - as if the chef forgot whether it was supposed to be grilled or gently whispered over a candle. It wasnât reel-y hitting the mark. Definitely room for improvement there.
The kidsâ menu was slim, but they kindly whipped up a simple bowl of buttered pasta when we asked - pasta la vista, picky eater meltdown.
Service: Itâs a sit down place. I will say, when I asked for a small customization, our server rolled her eyes so hard I thought she might sprain something. I get it, we all have those days, but donât toss shade when Iâm just trying to toss ideas. It left a bit of a weird aftertaste.
Overall: Fat Olives is a solid 4-star experienceâdelicious food, an inviting space, and a name thatâs hard not to love. With just a bit more attention to hospitality, a more adventurous art mix, and a rethink on that salmon burger, theyâd easily rise to the top of the pizza food chain.
In the meantime, Iâll be back for that calzone. Itâs the upper crust...
   Read moreFat Olives is doing some things right.
Our order was to-go, so we might have missed out on the full dine-in experience. Also, not all menu options are available to-go.
We started with the meatball and cheese bread appetizers. The cheese bread was okay, essentially a small cheese pizza. The meatballs, however, were well-made with great flavor. They came with a couple of pieces of bread, but we were expecting flatbread with extra sauce for dipping, so it was a bit underwhelming.
My daughter had a pepperoni and olive pizza and was satisfied with it. We also shared a Caesar Salad, which disappointed in overall flavor. We had a half White Devil and half Hitman pizza. The White Devil was okay, but the Hitman was something else, with flavors popping from the pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and salami.
We closed the meal by sharing a slice of chocolate layer cake and carrot cake. The chocolate layer cake was very sweet for my taste, but my daughters were big fans. I enjoyed the carrot cake, which stood out with its light cream cheese frosting, pecans, and especially the caramel drizzle.
Overall, Fat Olives has some hits and misses, but itâs...
   Read moreFat Olives is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Alaska, and I was excited to finally check it out for myself. From the moment I walked in, the inviting atmosphere and friendly staff made for a great first impression. It was quiet, comfortable, and a perfect setting for a relaxing meal.
The menu had an amazing selection, though they were unfortunately out of steak and all of their fettuccine pasta options, leaving only red sauce-based dishes. While it was a little surprising, there were still plenty of choices to enjoy.
We started with the oysters, and I was impressed by both the quantity and the presentation. The sauce complemented them perfectly, and they paired wonderfully with my wine.
Since my original pasta choice wasnât available, I decided to go for a pizza insteadâand Iâm so glad I did. The flavors, the perfect blend of cheeses, and the way everything melted together made for an absolutely incredible bite. Honestly, itâs one of the best pizzas Iâve had in Alaska, easily making my top 10.
Overall, I highly recommend Fat Olives. Itâs a true gem in Homer, and if youâre in the area, itâs...
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