Great pizza, meatballs and garlic knots at East Side

By Phyllis Johnson

At lunchtime any weekday, you’re likely to find a nice crowd filling up the tables and booths at East Side Pizzeria on Portsmouth Boulevard. 

Soft rock music played in the background and a copper canopy with the blue neon words “Welcome to East Side” hung over the kitchen area the day I went in. A few rescue workers sat nearby, watching television, but the place was steadily filling up.

Sitting behind me were regulars Donna Pierce and Cynthia Taylor. “I eat in here all the time. We love the quattro formaggio pizza,” said Donna. This pizza comes topped with layers of melted mozzarella, Provolone, cheddar and Pecorino Romano cheese.

“I think they have the best pizza in the Hampton Roads area. Their crust is homemade,” Cynthia said.

Nearby, Hoffman Beverage Company coworkers Randy Tennien and Kevin Parker ordered their meal. “We often come in and order pizzas for sales managers meetings. We work out at Bowers Hill and we don’t get many deliveries out there,” Randy said. He added “their meatballs are outstanding.”

“Their garlic knots are good too,” Kevin said.

I ordered one of the lunch specials, two big slices of three-topping pizza and a drink for $6.50. It was a satisfying meal and the two slices nearly covered the plate. There was definitely no room for dessert!

Their menu includes a crispy appetizer with several of each of the following: fried shrimp, Mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, ravioli and jalapeno poppers.

The East Side special pizza is loaded with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, beef and ham. There is a vegetarian pizza or you can order a white pizza of various kinds topped with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, sprinkled with fresh garlic. 

Owner Steve Palazzoto is getting ready to open an Italian restaurant in the Harbour View area near Harris Teeter. He has owned East Side Pizzeria for 14 years.

Phyllis Johnson, pjwriter@aol.com