My first experience with Sexy Pizza came last summer.
The pizzeria, located behind 7-Eleven at the bustling corner of 11th and Ogden, was still called Pizza Vera according to the sign. It's remained there long after the folks with Sexy Pizza took over, though they finally put up a new neon pink and black sign, which slightly reminds me of the video for
Robert Palmer's "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On."
I was walking to King Soopers on a pleasant summer afternoon when I decided to drop into the small shop for a slice and a Coke. The predictably laid back pizzeria employee behind the counter greeted me with a smile and offered me two slices for the price of one for some reason, which I was happy about until I realized that he would likely be looking for a little extra in the tip jar in return.
I can't remember if I obliged him, but knowing me, I probably did, if only to save myself from the awkward moment I would have to endure waiting for my order. And anyway, I don't really mind tipping cooks because I've been there and done that.
There are two professions, however, I choose to tip minimally or not at all -- bartenders and baristas. At best, I'll give them $1 per drink. Granted, they might be hustling and courteous and while I do appreciate the effort, they're still way too overpaid for pouring relatively simple concoctions into containers.
I don't really remember much about the pizza - I think it had spinach on it - and that was pretty much my last experience with it until a friend of mine mentioned a new place called Sexy Pizza. He's a devout vegeterian (he misses buffalo wings the most) and is always excited to find meatless treats that are especially greasy.
Well, Sexy Pizza certainly delivers on that front and it appears to be gaining a reputation among the greasy pizza contingent (
Westword is all over it). Even if you dab the top of your slice with a paper napkin, which supposedly eliminates dozens of calories, it's still pretty oily.
But underneath the grease, you can sense the toppings and crust are certainly above average, if not really good. In general, I've stuck with cheese pizza, but branching out into the Hawaii or Supreme combos have been worth the additional recession-stretched dollars.
Some of the other offerings on the Italian-themed menu, notably the Vera salad and fried eggplant with cheese, also are worth a try. The prices are reasonable as well - $18 is the ceiling on the menu - and the service, including the delivery, is expedient.
Your stomach might not look very sexy if you eat there too much, but, overall, it's good and I hope it has a bright future in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Sexy Pizza is located at 1018 E. 11th Ave. in Denver. Call 303-830-8111 for information.