By Pamela Brownstein
When locals are asked “Where do you go for great pizza?” the response is overwhelmingly The Upper Crust on Lady’s Island. The restaurant not only serves tasty Italian food, but the laid-back, family friendly vibe created by owner David Blake has customers coming back for more.
The Lunch Bunch started with the mozzarella tomato bread, served warm on big pieces of fresh bread with melted cheese.
April, who brought her kids because her family adores the food, ordered her usual, the Notorious Grilled Chicken Salad — a large tossed salad with green pepper, onions, cucumbers, black olives, tomatoes, grilled chicken and topped with seasoned french fries and freshly grated cheese. She likes hers with honey mustard dressing, and has nicknamed the salad “the Ackerman” (after her own last name) because she orders it so often.
Buck tried a salad too, the Chicken Teriyaki Salad with grilled chicken and mushrooms sauteed in a teriyaki glaze over mixed greens with house dressing.
Gene, Heather and her son all got the Homemade Meatball Grinder. The big, delicious warm sandwich — an Upper Crust favorite — includes old world recipe meatballs and meat sauce baked with melted provolone cheese, a side of fries and a pickle.
Elizabeth ordered the House Special medium pizza made with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives and extra cheese. The restaurant’s pizza options seem endless. You can choose a medium (12”) or large (16”) of their specialty pizzas or you can create your own with a variety of more than 20 toppings. The signature pie, the 14” Upper Crust, actually has thin crust on the top and bottom. And the 14” Fat Boy comes with a thick crust.
I decided to try the Chicken Wrap and it was fantastic. The grilled chicken with mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, special sauce and mozzarella were all rolled in homemade dough, and baked to perfection. With a side of fries and ranch dressing, it was a great meal.
Owner Blake is involved in giving back to the community and especially supports the local schools on Lady’s Island. The restaurant offers an afterschool dollar menu to Beaufort High School and Beaufort Academy students Monday-Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. With ID, students can stop in and enjoy a variety of menu items such as pizza slices, sodas, baskets of fries, and more, for only $1.
The Upper Crust is located in Hamilton Village, Suite 201, 97 Sea Island Parkway, on Lady’s Island. Call 843-521-1999 for take out or visit their website for menus, coupons and specials at www.theuppercrustli.com.
