Mario The Baker; Real Pizza in Royal Palm Beach
Being from Boston, I have a thing for pizza. If you’re from there or almost anywhere in the Northeast, you can appreciate my frustration at not being able to find a decent pizza in Florida or almost anywhere else in the country; sorry Chicago.
I moved to Florida a number of years ago, and I do love living here, but I have say, no matter where I’ve travelled in the state, good pizza is a rare find. I don’t understand this either, because I know that enough really good pizza chefs from up north have moved down here.
Anyway, I guess you could say that I lucked out in my neck of the woods, because I did find a place that consistently makes a great pizza, exactly the way I like it. The crust is just the right thickness, they have a great sauce, and they always use the freshest of ingredients and toppings. To back that up, they are the only restaurant on my speed dial, and I’ve been known to order ahead for take-out when nearing home.
Pizza isn’t the only thing they do well; I’ve had several other dishes from this stand-alone, family owned treasure in Royal Palm Beach, FL. They offer a great meatball, which I’ve had as a sandwich and with pasta; either way, very good, and if you’re a regular reader, you know I love me some good meatballs. I’ve also enjoyed other entrees on several occasions, and except when I’m having pizza, which is enough dough and carbs for me at one meal, I wouldn’t dream of eating there without having the yummy garlic rolls.
We braved the near hurricane conditions on Sunday evening as Isaac was flooding this area and blowing things around all over the place in the other, and opted for a Pepperoni Pizza. A simple enough pie, but even my friend from NJ, who’d never eaten there before was surprised at how good it was. I’m also a big fan of the mushroom pizza, because just like everything else, the 'shrooms are always fresh.
The service is always great as well. During this last visit, we were waited on by Allie who could not have been nicer. We felt bad for her and the other staff due to the slowness of the evening. Unlike me, some people let a little thing like a passing hurricane get in the way of good food. Silly, over cautious fools.
Oh, did I mention the name of this wonderful pizza palace? Nope, I guess I didn’t. Let me tease you no further. For one of the best pizzas in Palm Beach County in my humble opinion, look no further than 'Mario The Baker’ on State Road 7 between Belvedere Rd. and Okeechobee Blvd., just in front of The Regal Theater. Let me caution you that there are a few other locations with similar sounding names which are in no way related or associated, but this is the real deal, and well worth the trip from almost anywhere.
A great family restaurant with great food and reasonable prices; The Patriots Press gives them a solid 5 on our scale of 5 every time.
You will find Mario the Baker at 1007 State Rd.7 in Royal Palm Beach, FL., and their phone number is 781-798 4030. Enjoy.