Red Rossa Napoli Pizza

Photo compliments of Red Rossa

I love to eat out at places that cook foods I cannot cook or foods that taste better than what I make at home but I cannot stand eating out at places that offer foods I could have easily made at home—for cheaper—or at places with poor customer service and lousy food which brings me to my first entry and the reason I chose to start this blog—Red Rossa Napoli Italian Pizza.

We’ve lived in South Dakota for three years now and every few months my husband suggests we try Red Rossa but the majority vote has always sent us eating elsewhere—that is, until this Tuesday, April 29, 2008 when I finally caved. You see I am not a huge pizza person. In fact, I’d rather not eat pizza because the grease and sauce just doesn’t sit well with me. But my daughter is a HUGE pizza fan and my husband wanted to treat her to a real Italian experience, or so he was hoping...

The Red Rossa in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is located on the corner of a little strip mall across from Scheel’s and the $3 movie theatre so your first reaction is to think, “Fast food, how great can it really be?” Even entering the establishment, where you order and pay at the counter, has you thinking “fast food” experience. But that’s where the entire “fast food” mentality ends.

The staff, having realized it was our first time to Red Rossa took the time to tell us all about their wood fired and roasted pizzas, answer our questions about various ingredients, and allow us to sample the various mushrooms available as well as their sorbet.

After ordering The Roman Pizza without green peppers and substituting spinach, the Margherita Pizza, The Chop Chop Salad (large), and drinks we sat down to await our meal. It was then that I was truly able to observe the staff and the ambience they set.

One gentleman hand-tossed pizza dough as he softly spoke to the two children inquisitive about the entire process. The staff worked together in complete harmony, with smiles and laughter, as they prepared one pizza after another—some for take out, some for dining in. Then as our meals were delivered the wait staff thanked us for coming and hoped we’d enjoy our meal. They even indulged in a little chit chat.

That’s when I heard something I haven’t heard in a very long time. My daughter, with a genuine smile on her face, said, “They’re nice. They make you feel welcome. It’s like they want you here and so they treat you special.”

As for the food, I just have to say: “I have finally found a pizza that I will eat!”

The Roman Pizza was fabulous. The bread was slightly toasted, the cheese perfectly melted, and the ingredients fresh. I especially enjoyed the combination feta cheese and smoked mozzarella. The pizza was light and airy. It didn’t feel heavy or greasy.

And that large salad easily served four people as a side dish. And unlike those chain restaurants that simply chunk some lettuce on a plate with a piece of tomato and a cucumber or two, this salad was packed with fresh ingredients like smoked mozzarella, thin strips of salami, chunks of rosemary-sage chicken, freshly diced tomatoes, whole garbanzo beans, shredded parmesan cheese, and a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette.

The food was presented so beautifully that it actually felt like you were sitting in a gourmet restaurant instead of what, by all accounts, looks like a clean fast food joint. In the words of my husband, “It’s fine dining at a budget anyone can afford.”

If you’ve been contemplating checking out Red Rossa Napoli Pizza, I highly recommend it! Just drive to 3412 S. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 or call 605-339-3675 for a pick up!

Until tomorrow…