by Dallan Wright

Modern music, happy people, sports on the tv, soda machines cranking out the good stuff, and families enjoying a pleasant night out. “Pizza Pie Cafe” in Provo, Utah can be judged by the food it creates but the atmosphere makes the visit an event instead of your typically unremarkable restaurant fare.

My family and I were provided a ticket for the pre-opening festivities (full disclosure), and had a wonderful time while there. My first impression upon entering was how pleasant the atmosphere of chatty families and bustling workers was. The music was not too loud but robust enough that people felt at ease conversing at a higher level. (My personal pet peeve is business’s without music… it just makes me uncomfortable and I immediately look for the exit).

Seating is your choice, and choices you have. There’s four distinct eating areas, each with its own theme and decor, but tied together nicely for an overall comfy feel. In the main eating area there’s plenty of room for a large crowd to weave in and out gathering pizza, pasta, and salad. When you return to your seat ample space surrounds each table and booth so that people with horrible posture, like myself, can have their chair half way into the isle and it’s not a problem.

One thing that brought the dining room experience together for me was the black ceiling. I know… this isn’t something a person would typically notice, but the way the lights seemed to stand out against the black made for a dramatic environment. Again, I know I may be the only one to notice but I think it’s the secret sauce to the ambiance.

Here’s how it works. Pay your money, find a seat, and head on over to the food and drinks. Number one, this is a pizza joint, but I had a difficult time deciding if I liked the pizza or the pasta better. For those familiar with Craigo’s you’ll be happy to know the pizza is of the same variety and quality you’ve come to expect. There isn’t a deep dish option but they make up for it with the variety of pizza on hand. I could list them all but trust me on this one… everyone in your family will find a couple they like.

In addition to pizza “Pizza Pie Cafe” puts a unique twist on traditional desert. There were three types of desert pizza. Peach Crisp, Orio, and a Cherry Crisp. You may love them enough to start and finish your meal in this section.

The salad bar is well stocked and fresh as you need, but I didn’t hang out in that area very long. I did however love the pasta bar. It works pretty simply. Step up to the pasta bar, choose your pasta, the employee behind the counter cooks it in a basket and dispenses it into your bowl, and you then top it off with your favorite sauce. I think this is the best food they offer. Don’t load up too much on anything else until you’ve enjoyed the pasta.

Conclusions. Fantastic atmosphere with roomy booths and tables, plenty of great pizza, salad, and exceptional pasta. What would I change? I felt the bread sticks were fine… a flat bread with cheese and spices, but I still long for twisted puffy bread topped with thick and stretchy cheese. One addition I would make is an ice-cream machine. Call me your typical sugar pounding American but my taste buds yearned to have vanilla ice-cream layered over the desert pizza. Maybe my real problem is my relatives have an industrial ice-cream machine in their garage and I’ve been ruined by the convenience.

At this time I don’t have prices to report on (the night was free), but I imagine you’ll come out of there spending close to your typical restaurant fare. If you want good pizza, a fun place to take the family, and you, like me, want to support any Idahoan you come across, head on over to “Pizza Pie Cafe,” and be one of the first to taste success.

Oh, one more thing. Who’s better between Rexburg and Provo? Rexburg wins on tradition, they tie in the food department, but Pizza Pie Cafe cleans up in atmosphere… maybe a million dollar building renovation helps out a little bit.

Pizza Pie Cafe… real american pizza

2235 N. University Parkway, Provo, Utah, 84604

(801)373-5561