BLACKBIRD PIZZA SHOP
WHERE HEARTY PIES & BEER RULE THE ROOST

I think if you’re good at something, say making pizzas, then you shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel and support a huge menu. Keep it simple. At Blackbird Pizza Shop on trendy Melrose Avenue, the aim is to be a neighborhood hang offering quality pies and beers.

Here the menu is slim, including fantastic healthy starter items. The Local Burrata with local vine ripe tomato, Tuscan olive salad, and basil is alone worth a visit, as is the Little Gem salad with Fuyu persimmon, pickled red onion, feta and saba. And if you ever see the Charred Broccolini with butternut, blood orange, radish, parmesan, and chili oil on the menu, get it! It was one of the best veggie dishes I can recall—almost up there with the broccolini dish at The NoMad. Now that’s saying something.

Before we get to the touted pizzas, the Blackbird folks do love their meatballs, which are tasty and filling. Selections include beef, turkey, pork, and lamb. All will satisfy but like I said, if you do a pizza pie well, well, then there’s really no need to stray from the menu.

So now let’s get to the pizzas.

Pizza options include thin crust and deep dish. A small is $21 and a large is $28. If you decide to build your own, the price will vary some. And if you’re thinking deep dish, then you better plan to share or you will be making many meals out of one hearty pie.

I’m a big fan of the thin crust White Pie with bacon, asparagus, goat cheese, ricotta, feta, and fresh oregano. It’s just plain delicious. The El Chingon is a little funky with house-made chorizo and avocado and The Big Kahuna with speck, bacon, pineapple, piquillo and mozzarella seems like a radical option.

If you’re looking for filling and hearty then go deep dish. And you may want to consider going Balls Deep, which is the house signature deep dish with meatballs. Another crowd pleaser is Mary’s Chicken with pesto, caramelized onion, feta, and Calabria chili. And don’t discount the Spicy Italian with pork sausage, mushroom, pepperoncini, and mozzarella. Now that’s a pizza pie!

Located next door to Melrose Umbrella Co., the setting is perfect for an afternoon or evening of good grub and great drinks. I love the cozy and casual atmosphere at Blackbird Pizza Shop where you just want to relax and dive deep into a delicious pizza.

Blackbird Pizza Shop is located at 7459 Melrose Avenue. Open Sunday thru Wednesday from noon to 10 pm; Thursday thru Saturday from noon to 11 pm. Call 323-424-7184.

Story & Photography By: Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy Of: Blackbird Pizza Shop