The Boot Pizzeria

The first thing to know about The Boot Pizzeria is it’s way down there. (Well, if you’re a Madison or downtown sort. Everything’s relative.) Like, south of Mountain Gap far, on the east side of the Parkway.

The second thing to know is that it occupies property that appears to have once held a groovy motor lodge, and while there is plenty of parking, the quarters are tight. So it would behoove you not to show up in your ’73 LeSabre or towing your boat (or both). Even my wife’s thoroughly reasonable minivan was a bit of a challenge in spots.

So, with logistical caveats duly delivered, let’s proceed.

The Boot is a table-service pizzeria with a full bar and covered patio. The bar counter is conventional, but the dining area is divided into multiple nooks that provide a bit of a nestled feeling (though not a cramped one). Decor is copious and kitschy.

Sitting down with the menu, you quickly realize that the offerings are rather more ambitious than at your average pizza place. You can roll up and get a large pepperoni and some garlic bread if that’s your thing, but if you’re after a little more adventure, the menu rewards a close look. You ever had an eggs and bacon pizza? How about smoked duck? Calamari? They’re all here. (And I’ve left you plenty to discover too.)

The adventure also extends to the appetizers. Our (friendly, prompt, and accurate) server recommended the Meat Candy. I was mostly sold on just the name, but when she started describing tender bites of glazed pork belly with fresh herbs, we were definitely in. They vanished quickly, as did our more conventional bruschetta.

There are over a dozen specialty pizzas available, or you can customize your own. With sausage made in house and accompanied with mushrooms, mozzarella, and blue cheese, the Smoked Italian Sausage spoke to me. We also got a Prosciutto and Mozzarella. Both were fresh and tasty, with a crust somewhere between crispy and chewy. We took fewer leftovers home than I thought we would, and they didn’t last long either.

The menu also includes an extensive selection of subs, salads, and pasta dishes. Lea’s Cannelloni Ricotta e spinaci, to which she added smoked chicken, was rich and flavorful. Alas, we did not save room for dessert, though cuisine-appropriate favorites like gelato and tiramisu are available. Next time.

The Boot seeks to deliver an elevated experience, and it is priced commensurately. Our two appetizers, two 12-inch pizzas, one pasta dish, and three non-alcoholic drinks came to $80 before tip. That’s a defensible family night out, but you probably don’t want to pile your kid’s soccer team in here for post-tournament dinner.

It’s such a marvelous time to be a foodie in Huntsville, and the pizza scene in particular is booming. The Boot Pizzeria is a satisfying reminder that while we enjoy a continuing influx of stimulating newcomers, there remain worthy Old Guard stalwarts among us.