Ruby Cerino

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is located at the Fountains of Farah Mall.

In an interview earlier this year, West Miller, a retail developer in charge of The Fountains at Farah, promised that El Paso will have its very first coal-fired pizza restaurant. A few months later it happened: Grimaldi’s is that famous pizzeria that is known to be the favorite place of celebrities such as Frank Sinatra or former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani—not a coincidence they proudly state they have the “pizza that made the Brooklyn Bridge famous.”

The sense of traditional welcomes you at first sight: an indoor dining area and a big patio, where customers are surrounded by brick walls, empty bottles hanging from the ceiling, black-and-white photos and, of course, all the tables with the traditional pizzeria tablecloths. However, the big attraction is in the kitchen. A big coal oven ready to evenly bake your pizza. The result–an aromatic and crispy pizza with a unique flavor.

But it’s not only the tasty flavor, fresh ingredients or even the secret sauce recipe. Grimaldi’s serves really good-sized portions of food. Order the small pizza and you will think you asked six big slices, and the same goes with the calzone. Popular toppings are jalapeños, pepperoni, meatballs and the wonderful Italian sausage. Regarding salads, it’s worth trying the Grimaldi’s house salad–it has excellent quality and it actually tasted fresh.

The oven-roasted red peppers added a special flavor that you cannot miss. It was hard to choose just one dessert out of a menu, but the caramel apple cheesecake was really good and the homemade cheesecakes—especially the New York style–are really worth trying.

Although the menu still looks small with only salads, pizza and calzones available, this is fully compensated with their wine section. A large selection that goes from reds and whites to rosés, sparkling wine and sangria–it won’t let you down.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is bringing a traditional flavor that is at the same time a fresh option among other conventional pizzerias. It’s always good to not only keep the tradition, but also to enjoy it.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is located on 8889 Gateway Blvd. West, Ste. 1200, at the Fountains at Farah.  For a look at their menu, visit www.grimaldispizzeria.com/.

Gianfranco Languasco may be reached at [email protected]