*Winner: Bean’s Best Award* [The 2019 Annual Bean’s Best Pizza in Jax Beach Award] If you want to sit only mere steps from the oceanfront, and engage in some good quality people watching, lots of dogs included, when in Jax Beach - all you have to do is grab a slice and sit in the window at V Pizza. I’ve never seen so many people, skateboarding with their dogs leading them rolling down the street, than I can see during even just one meal alone, while sitting at the wooden bar-top tables in the large picture windows at V Pizza’s counter service. I've been coming to V Pizza since I moved to Jax Beach. I’ve ordered to-go, I’ve ordered on the quick service side, and I’ve had dinner in the full-service dining area with the bar and televisions. I’ve brought my family here who live out of state up in the Chicago area. Plus, V Pizza is the regular dining establishment of choice by my husband and I whenever we simply need a quick and easy, guaranteed delicious meal. We’ve tried many of the surrounding other local pizza joints. And I firmly believe V Pizza is the best in town. And here’s why: I grew up in the Chicago area - THE FOOD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. I was surrounded by good food… ALL. THE. TIME. And I mean some really, darn, good food. Nothing - at all - compares, on the face of this planet, to food in Chicago. And specifically… Chicago pizza. My whole life I heard people talk about food in Chicago, as if it were special? I always wondered, why does everyone talk about how special the food is? The implication and emphasis not about the type of food being served, the meal, the location, the neighborhood, what kind of restaurant...but just simply that it was “Chicago” food. That’s all that mattered. If it was from Chicago, it was some real good food. But Chicago’s food was all I ever knew. So when something is so perfect, consistently, all the time, over and over, that’s what one gets used to. Taste buds acclimate to what is familiar to them. And since it was all I knew, I literally thought that all food, everywhere, was just that good. I expected all food to be great. That’s just what food tastes like right? Well, it took me moving out of state, and eating hundreds upon hundreds of meals outside of Chicago to fully appreciate in all honesty and sincerity how good Chicago food really is. And my life has basically become just as the saying goes… “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone…” Right? Yep. And gosh, I really didn't know until I left. When you part ways with Chicago, you part ways with a foodie life that will never again be the same. As soon as we moved away from that delicious food capital of the world, suddenly, good food was harder to come by. Much harder. Most everywhere we went food was just OK. And after leaving literal perfect food behind - PERFECTION and OK - are really far apart from one another. And very noticeable… immediately noticeable. And that’s not just me talking... it’s my taste buds. They just can’t help it. They been acclimated. All my taste buds ever knew was perfect food. So anything but perfect was now… Bleh…. Everyone asks me what do I miss about leaving home… my answer is the Chicago food… the pizza. THE. PIZZA. PERIOD. Whenever I come back to Illinois for a visit, whether it’s a few days, a week, or a two week visit or longer, every day I need pizza. I can’t get enough of it. And I’ll try as many places as I can. And my mom asks me if I’m sure that I want pizza? She asks - Again??? Yes… of course. I can go through my entire visit in Illinois and only eat pizza, and I will never tire of it. Because, I know, but most importantly my taste buds know that I will not have that food again for potentially a year. A YEAR? That’s literally like going through food withdrawal; I have to prepare myself for the reality that awaits me. My body, mind, and soul. Yes...I’ll eat again, but it will never be quite the same… as Chicago pizza. And thus, with every meal in life I now eat, to this day - food is different. Food is not what it once was. I didn’t know what I had until it was gone. And as soon as it went missing, I noticed, fast, and I’ve been mourning my loss ever since. When we left Illinois, we left the food capital of the world behind, we said goodbye to amazing Chicago pizza; only I didn’t know we were saying goodbye, so I never kissed it on my way out the door. I didn’t know to say goodbye. A simple head’s up would have been nice. Some forewarning, from anyone, anywhere??? How come no one told me? Are you sure you want to move to Florida and leave all this perfect food? They didn’t tell me because I wouldn’t have believed them. I needed to experience it for myself to believe it, and I would have just laughed. And I’m still laughing at myself now. Each pizza restaurant in Chicago has its own ‘specialty’ - what they are known for. You can go to any pizza place in Chicago and the surrounding area suburbs, have the best pizza of your life, and each pizza establishment will taste completely different from one another. Palermo’s has heavenly red sauce, and the best dough you will ever eat, anywhere. Rosati’s has great sausage. Gino’s East has phenomenal deep dish. Lou Malnati’s has the best deep dish buttered crust, worth the wait for the crust alone. And Pizza Lia has the best fresh-frozen pizza on Earth (the handmade dough cannot be replicated by anyone but the owner, my uncle). Those are only a tiny fraction of pizza establishments in the Chicago area. And most importantly, NOT ONE of them is the same as the other in any way. They are all distinctly different from one another. And that’s what makes each one special. Chicago pizza is at the top of the pyramid, placed high on a pedestal, deserving of the crown of crowns. When something is rated that high, how can anything match up. It sort of doesn’t. You just can’t beat Chicago pizza. No matter where you go. In my travels and adventures I have learned that much. But if you can’t beat em, join em. And, I’ll be clear here, it’s not that the food elsewhere is bad… it’s literally just that Chicago has the best food. Yes, I like the other local surrounding pizza place here. And to be fair, I have not tried every place in town - I don’t believe anyway - but I have tried many, and many much more than once. I love Milano’s, I love Biggie’s, I love D&LP, Al’s, etc.etc.etc. But I REALLY love V Pizza. And, naturally, I have a theory as to why. V Pizza doesn’t pretend to be something they are not. Their pizza knows exactly who it is and is not ashamed of itself. Their pizza is a proud and unique and distinctly different individual. That individuality and uniqueness is what makes it special. And as a bonus, they offer a variety of other specialty and Italian menu items as well. V Pizza is consistently fabulous, tasty, and unique - in my Chicago foodie’s opinion. The dough at V Pizza is so tasty, freshly rolled and made in house. The sauce is unique unto itself. And the sausage and meats are high quality, and perfectly seasoned. The cheese is fresh. There is not one part of their pizza that lacks in any way. They don’t overdue it on the cheese, they don’t underdue it on the cheese. And the same goes for the sauce. Each ingredient is the perfect consistency. And in my experience and many tastings, I firmly believe V Pizza comes the closest I’ve tried thus far, to not replicate any others pizza, but to make their pizza all their very own, and have their own distinct taste and texture and flavor and seasoning, and basically the dough and the entire recipe altogether. And to be proud of it - own it! They own their pizza; they are proud of their pizza. They are not trying to be something they are not. The are being themselves. And THAT is why they win this award. So, to V Pizza, I hereby declare you the winner of the first ever Bean’s Best Award. Deserving due to your serving of the very best, highest quality, and most unique pizza in the town of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. And to the rest of y’all… Get out there and grab a slice, or a whole pie, sit down at the counter, and watch all the countless happy doggies, dragging their humans on their skateboards, roll on by… ~ *So, why would anyone leave Chicago if the food is that good? And come down to Florida? Because the sun never sleeps, Endless Summer reigns supreme, and waking up in the morning looks like this... Yeah, it needed to be this good, to go. And say goodbye to the best pizza on the planet, and hello to the sun. ~~~
0 Comments
|
Archives
April 2024
CategoriesAll 100th YouTube Video 15K National Championship 1935 Hurricane Memorial 2020 26.2 With Donna 5K Race 9/11 A1A Acosta Bridge Acrylic On Canvas Advent Calendars Adversity Afghanistan Alan Roberts Al Carius Alligator All Wheel Drive Amanda Moon Art Amelia Island Amelia Island Coffee America Amtrak Amtrak Silver Service Angeletti Cookies Angies Grom Angies Subs Anna Maria City Pier Anna Maria Island Another Broken Egg Cafe Appetizer Apple Watch Arlington Lions Club Park Art Atlantic Beach Atlantic Beach Arts Market Atlantic Beach Heritage Tree Atlantic Ocean Auto Ferry Autumnal Equinox Autumn In Florida BabylissPro Hair Straightener Bacon Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Basic Invite Bay Breeze Cottages Beach Boulevard Beach Cottage Beach Diner Beach Diner Ponte Vedra Beach Beaches Art Fest Beaches At Vilano Beaches For Australia Beaches Go Green Beaches Green Market Beaches History Museum Beaches Museum Beaches Oktoberfest Beaches Town Center Beans Baking Series Beans Basement Bash Beans Best Award Winner Beans Coffee Shop Challenge Beans Recipes Beef Stew Before And After Beignets BEPREADY Best Western Oceanfront BeYou Jewelry Big Talbot Island State Park Bird Island Park Bird Watching Birthday Black Friday Blackhawk Bluff Blue Angels Blue Bloods Blue Cypress Fishing Pier Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine Boxty Bradenton Beach Breakfast Review Breezy Coffee Shop Brewery Review Bridge Of Lions Bryan Pieper Bucee's Cafe Du Monde Cantina Louie Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Elation Casa Marina Hotel And Restaurant Casa Monica Resort & Spa Castaway Island Preserve Castillo De San Marcos Cat Cafe Celebration Celebration Florida Cell Phone Chaunies Coffee Truck Cheap Holiday Photo Cards Chicago Food Chicago Pizza Chili Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies Christmas Christmas Day Christmas Decor Christmas Eve Christmas In The South Christmas Pop Up Bar Christmas Tree Church Cinottis Bakery Jax Beach City Of Jacksonville Florida Special Events Civil War 2.0 Clover Coffee Coffee Plantation Cafe College Columbia Restaurant Comfort Compass Contagion Content Creator Cookies Cook With Me Corinne Crabtree Corona Coronavirus Courtyard By Marriott CoVid19 Crane Island Crescent City Crescent Lake Crock Pot Cross Country CSX Cummer Cafe Review Cummer Museum Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens Daily Activity Daily's Place Danny Reagan Daschund Daylight Savings Time Daytona Beach Deck The Chairs Delicomb Deltona Dessert Deviled Eggs Dining In Atlantic Beach Dining In Jax Beach Dining In Ponte Vedra Beach Dining On The Water Dining Review Dining Review Vilano Beach Disney Springs DJI Phantom 4 Drone Dog Days Of Summer Doggie Stroller Dog Life Dolphins Don't Tread On Me Donuts Dreaming In The 904 Driftwood Jax Beach Drive Thru Lights Drone Video Duck Pond Ducks Dune Restoration Project Dunkin Donuts Dutton Island Preserve Duval Street Earth Day East Coast Greenway Easter Easter Sunday Brunch Eclipse Box Edens Leaf Naturals Eleven South Review Embarkation Emerald Coast Endless Summer Everbank Stadium Every Damn Day Fitness Explore With Me Facebook Fairfield Inn & Suites Faith Falcon Heavy Fall Fall In Florida Family Traditions Fernandina Beach Film Review Fireplace First Watch Fishing Five Points Floating Generation Florida Florida Cold Front Florida Cracker Kitchen Florida East Coast Railway Florida Keys Florida State Parks Florida Winter Flowers Fort Clinch State Park Fort George Island Fort. George Island Foundation Four Four Points By Sheraton Frank Reagan Freight Train Fresh Off The Palette Friendship Fountain Fuller Warren Bridge Full Moon Full POV Garlic Artichoke Dip Gate River Run Geese Gingerbread House Girvin Road Golden Hour Golf Carts Grape & Grain Exchange Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail Green Cove Springs Green Spaces Green Springs Park Green Sulfur Spring Guana River Preserve Gulf Coast Guy Fieri Hampton Inn Happy Holidays Happy New Year Hawkers Asian Street Fare Hemingway Highway I-4 Hilton Historic Bridge Street Pier Historic Old City Jail Holiday Holiday Season Holidays In Jax Beach Holidays In Neptune Beach Holly Berry Hot Chocolate Hotel Review Hotel Room Tour Ice Cream Intracoastal Intuition Ale Works Review Ireland Irish Blessings Irish Blessings To You Irish Food Irish Mode On Isaiah David Hart Bridge Islamorada Island Donuts Isle Of Eight Flags Italian Restaurant Jacksonville Jacksonville Beach Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier James Bond Jamie Reagan Jarboe Park Jarboe Park Christmas Tree Jax Beach Art Walk Jax Beach Coffee Shop Jax Beach Pier Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market Jellyfish Jerusalem Jesus Jimmy Buffett Jimmy Johns John Glaude Joy Key Largo Key West Key West Half Marathon Kilwins Kindness Kindred Spirits King Tide Kiss The Sun Goodnight With Me KitchenAid Kona Ice Krispy Kreme Lake Monroe Lake Monroe Historic Bridge Liberty Life Before Facebook Lifestyle Lime Bubly Live Oak Tree Love Love Life Love Muffin Love Yourself Luck Of The Irish Lumi Bean Candles Main Street Bridge Mallory Square Manatee Margaritaville Margaritaville Beach Hotel - Jacksonville Marina Marriott Marshmallow Marsh Massive Action Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Florida Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Clinic Mayport Cats Mayport Florida Mayport Village Merry Christmas Cards Metro Diner Mexican Food Mexican Restaurant Mezza Luna Ristorante MFPMilestones Mickler's Landing Millennial Generation Minestrone Soup Momentum Moonrise Morning Walk Mourning A Loss Muffins MyFitnessPal My Own Irish Blessing My Wish For You Naples NASA Nature Navi Waterfront Bar & Grill Nemo Park Neptune Beach Never Forget New Orleans New York City Night Walk Nine Eleven Nocatee NOLA Northbank Riverwalk Nurse Shark Oaxaca Club Obese To Beast Oceanfront Dining Olivia Shore One Ocean Resort One Ocean Resort & Spa Orlando Overseas Highway Pain Rehab Clinic Palatka Palm Sunday Palm Valley Palm Valley Holiday Lights Boat Parade Palm Valley Outdoors Bar And Grill Pasta Pasta Party Pastries Patience Peanut Butter Bubbles Pelicans Pelindaba Lavender Perseverance Perspective Peterbrooke Chocolatier Petes Bar Petes Bar Thanksgiving Morning Gathering Pet Friendly Pet Loss Phit-n-Phat Phone Call Pier Pina Colada Pine Avenue On Anna Maria Island Pinhole Projector Pink Lemonade Plan Plant City Poinsettia Polar Plunge Pollyanna Ponte Vedra Beach Ponte Vedra Inn & Club PRC Prospect Five Points Public Beach Access Pumpkin Spice Purpose Race Expo Rain Random Acts Of Kindness Reaction Real Christmas Tree Recipes Red Sauce Religion Restaurant Review Rest Stop Rick Burnett Artist Key West Ritas Jax Beach Riverside Riverside Arts Market Riverside Duck Pond Riverside Memorial Park Riverwalk Road Race Road Trip Rockaway Garden Rod & Reel Fishing Pier Ronnie Phillips Ron On The Go Room Tour Routine Sago Coffee Jax Sand Dunes Sanford San Marco San Marco Bookstore San Marco Town Square San Pablo Island Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp Seafoam Sea La Vie Jax Beach Seaside Park Seaside Sculpture Park Sea & Sky Jax Seas The Day Seawalk Music Festival Seawalk Pavilion Seinfeld September 11 Shamrock Shamrock Zoomies Shell World Sheltie Sheltie & Friends Sheltie & Friends Easter Coloring Book Shetland Sheepdog Shipwreck Small Towns Sneakers Sports Grille Social Media Solar Eclipse Sous Chef Southbank Southbank Riverwalk Southern Grounds Southern Living Idea House Southernmost Point Southern Swells SpaceX Spreadshop Spring Spring Break Springhill Suites By Marriott Spring In The South Stand Mixer Starbucks Star Wars Stationary Statue Of Liberty St Augustine St. Augustine St. Augustine Nights Of Lights Staycation St. George Street Stingray St. Johns County St. Johns River St. Johns River Ferry St. Johns Town Center St Patricks Day St. Patrick's Day Strawberries Streamlabs Streetcar Sugar Cookies Sun Sunrail Sunrise Sunset Sunshine Skyway Bridge Super Bowl Sunday Supper Club Take Out Dining Talking To Camera Tampa Tampa Bay Target TECO Line Streetcar System Teresa Echols Thai Food Thankful Thanksgiving The African Queen The Ancient City The Boathouse The Caffeinated Cat The Dis The Donna The Donna Foundation The Donna Marathon The Green Monster The Lone Sailor The Mini Bar The Player's Championship The Reach Resort Key West The Reef These Are My Dreams These Are My Dreams The Podcast Time Savings Tinis Martini Bar To Do Downtown Jacksonville To Do In Celebration Florida To Do Jax Beach Tonys Turkey Trot Review Traditional Irish Pancakes Train Depot Train Ride Turtles Twistee Treat Twitter Uber Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry Ulta Products Unboxing Universal Endless Summer University Of North Florida U.S. Highway 1 Valentines Day Venice Venice Beach Pier Vertical Livestream Veterans Day Vilano Beach Vilano Beach Pier Virtual Railfan Vlogmas Volunteer V Pizza V Pizza Jax Beach Wake Up The Sun With Me Wake Up With Me Walking Tour Walk With Me Walt Disney World Watch With Me Watercolor Painting Weight Loss Weight Loss Success Weight Maintenance White Christmas Whit's Frozen Custard Whits Jax Beach Wicked Lick Willaford Railroad Museum Williams Sonoma Winter Meals Winter Park Winter Wonderland World Market World War 19 World War II Ybor CIty Year In Review YouTube Youtube Shorts |
_____
My Floridian Adventures On YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@christinepieper ______ My Motivational Merch Shop! https://christines-floridian-dreams.myspreadshop.com/ ______ © 2024 Christine's Floridian Dreams. |