Extra Virgin Oven (EVO) is yet ANOTHER local restaurant that has been gotten lots of press lately. A major difference is that EVO is not located by a beach, creek, or in Downtown but in North Charleston’s Park Circle area.
North Charleston is huge with lots of different, how shall I say this?, s-e-c-t-i-o-n-s. First, just know that this area is huge and spread out. There are 7 North Charleston exits off of Interstate 526, if that at all helps to explain.
EVO’s location, Park Circle, appears adorable and homey (not “yo yo yo” homey, but “aw, so cozy” homey). It doesn’t hurt that it’s right around the corner from Coast Brewing – one of our favorite breweries in the area. Def the hippiest of ‘em all! Coast is also the location for the most awesomest (yes, I’m deciding that’s a word today) beer festival – Brewvival. Oh yes, we’ll see you again next year…pretzel necklace and all!
Brewvival fun – 2011
Nothing like beer to get me off track.
North Charleston is also home to the Charleston International Airport, Tanger Outlets, Stingrays Professional Hockey Team, the new (and often controversial) Boeing Aircraft, and North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. I haven’t seen a show at the Coliseum yet, but that tends to be where the biggest acts in Charleston play/perform. I gotta say (from what I’ve gathered)…Charleston’s got nothing on Charlotte or Myrtle Beach when it comes to concerts/shows coming to town. Kind of a bummer.
North Charleston has more shopping than just the Tanger Outlets. It has just about every big name store (Target, Walmart, Michael’s, Pier 1, Best Buy, etc., etc., etc.), furniture store, car dealership, chain restaurant, gas station, you-get-the-point, that you can think of. In addition – a traditional indoor, old and outdated Northwoods Mall (nothing like gorgeous Mount Pleasant Towne Centre!) and an ungodly amount of pawn shops. Yeah – don’t ask! Along with these unlimited money-sucking destinations come some serious traffic. Patience is key, people…patience, coffee, and legal U-turns!
From what our Sheriff neighbor tells us, there are areas of North Charleston that not even police officers navigate alone. There are some really rough and scary neighborhoods. (I’m talking South Los Angeles kinda business.) Yikes. So bring your GPS friends, and know your destination!
My least favorite part of the city of North Charleston? There is NOT a ban on smoking in public places. Capital letters YUCK! I have asthma and do not appreciate this situation whatsoever. This for-sure keeps me from giving restaurants in North Charleston business. I’m sure I’m not alone on this!
Smoking is gross…AND it kills. Just sayin’.
Excuse my current ADHD. BACK TO EVO!
From their website (because I can’t say it any better!)..
Extra Virgin Oven (EVO) is fresh, honest, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, expertly and simply prepared with seasonal, local ingredients. We support local farmers and are passionate about using only the freshest ingredients. We believe it’s our job to let the essence of each ingredient speak for itself. We believe in attention to detail – and the proof is on every plate. Our hope is that you’ll make yourself at home, each some great food, drink a solid artisan beer, bring your friends and join us again soon.
EVO was featured in Food Network Magazine’s September 2011 issue, specifically in “50 States 50 Pizzas.” EVO’s Pistachio Pesto was voted the best pizza in South Carolina! That hasn’t been their first public praise. Click here to see the list of local and national acclaim that EVO has earned. Have I mentioned that EVO began on a rolling cart at the Charleston Farmer’s Market in 2005? Yeah. How cool!
Pistachio Pesto Pizza!
A few nights ago, EVO was featured on Cooking Channel’s “Pizza Outside the Box.” We DVR’d it!
Onto our personal experience at EVO:
We didn’t get the Pistachio Pesto pizza. I dunno why. But it does give us an excuse to go back there!
Anyway, we busted open those doors at 5pm as true early bird specialists. Seriously – the waitresses still had their purses on!
Not sure my chin would reach over this high bar!
Yummy local beers on tap (Holy City and Coast)…
I’m a sucker for mason jars =)
Me praying to the pizza gods. Yeah, not too sure what’s really going on here.
And behold – Margherita pizza and Pork Trifecta pizza. YUM-EEEEE! So fresh with amazing crust!
SO GOOD – can’t wait to go back!!!
Warning: EVO is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
What’s your favorite kind of pizza? I’m a sucker for white garlic pizza with broccoli, but Scooter sadly isn’t.
p.s. Should I have broken up this post into 2 or 3 separate ones? Probably! Sorry for my long-windedness. I have a feeling, though, that you’re used to it!
p.s.s. Crossing our fingers that hurricane Irene skips right on past Charleston!
p.s.s.s. Who wants PIZZA now?! ;)
Beach Count: 57
Pool Count: 18
High Temperature: 87º (we even opened our windows for some fresh air last night!)
