Last week, Nancy and I were watching TV and a commercial came on depicting a big slice of pizza, oozing cheese and goodness. It brought back memories of Anna’s Pizza on Maury Avenue, not far from Scott Stadium. We had not eaten there in years and wondered if it was even still open. It is, and last Sunday night, we made a special trip across town to see if it was as good as we remembered.
It was.
Frank Checci, a dear friend and certified Italian, was the first to tell us about Anna’s Pizza. Frank said it was the closest thing you could get to a genuine Sicilian pizza this side of New York City. One Sunday after church, we loaded up several cars of friends and family and paid Anna’s a visit. All I can say is, “Wow”:
A slice of Anna’s Pizza will leave a string of mozzarella cheese stretching clear across the table. Juices run down your arms when you fold a slice and begin to eat. The sauce and crust are perfect. It is decadent in richness and flavor.
Anna’s opened in Charlottesville in 1974. The Buzzetta family bought the restaurant in 1977 and operates it even today. Then restaurant is much the same inside as it was 45 years ago – same tiffany lamps, wallpaper and bar. And they still serve the pizza high on a stand so everyone can reach out and get a slice.
Anna’s does a large take out business, but they don’t deliver. Numerous UVA professors were in and out of the pizzeria, picking up their call-in orders while Nancy and I were at our table savoring each magnificent bite of our large pizza with sausage, mushrooms and extra cheese. It was extra, extraordinary. We intend to be back more often, even though it’s way at the other end of town from our house.
Anna’s address is 115 Maury Avenue. You can call ahead at 434-295-7500. They are open from 11 AM to 10 PM but closed on. Mondays. They cook their pies in a hot 550-degree oven, so if you order a pizza, it’s ready in less than 10 minutes. Anna’s does not serve mixed drinks but offers wine and a nice selection of beers.
I can say from experience that there is no pizza like this in all of Charlottesville and it hasn’t changed a whit in 45 years.