Pizza Rustica

After spending the afternoon at the beach, there was hunger all around. We were faced with the same dilemma as always when at Miami Beach: where can we get a good, quick meal that won't break the bank? At David's suggestion, we decided to try Pizza Rustica on Lincoln Road. This is a small chain of Pizza places that started on Miami Beach, has branched out to several locations in south Florida (one is going to open soon in South Miami, and Brickell), and even in Michigan and Paris (yes that's Paris, France!).



Pizza Rustica on Lincoln Road is small with no pretentions. Behind a large glass counter are twenty plus pizzas for you to choose from, with very fresh ingredients and lots of vegetables. Things like potato pizza, three-mushroom, barbecue chicken, Caprese, and also all of the old standards. I tried the Spinach blue cheese, which was very good, and also the BBQ chicken. The barbecue sauce adds a nice tang to the overal flavor. The crust is fairly thin and crispy. Overall the flavors are really vibrant.



You can sit at a table and order from a waiter, or just walk up to the counter and order a whole pizza, or even more popular, by the slice. A "slice" in this case is a loose term; it's more like a little personal pizza, which they cut into 8 little slices for you. And most pizza "slices" are under $5, which is really a great deal.



I was worried when I ordered that the pizza wouldn't be hot enough, since it is just sitting on warmers behind the counter. But as soon as you order, they throw your slice into an oven, and it comes out tasting fresh and hot.



Overall I was really satisfied with Pizza Rustica. It's the perfect food after a day at the beach. Let's face it, not all of us feel like sitting down to an $50-plus meal with sand in our hair (if we can afford a $50-plus meal in the first place). The only downside to Pizza Rustica is the lack of seating. Most of the tables are for customers being waited on, so you may have to settle for a ledge or a bench. Service at the counter is fast, and matter of fact, and you better know what you want to order when you get to the front of the line.

I recommend Pizza Rustica to anyone who finds themselves wandering around Miami Beach in search of a quick, cheap meal.