A new spot for pizza on Hilton Head Island will always get the locals’ attention. After seafood, pizza is probably the most-discussed food item around here. The quest for the taste of “back home” is insatiable. If you’ve been around here for any length of time, then you know of what I speak. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Now we’ve got a new, authentic pizza spot on the way and they are promising all your favorite flavors from the Windy City.
Capri Pizza HHI is the name of the Italian casual eats spot headed to the Coligny Plaza area on Hilton Head’s south end. They will be occupying the space at 5 Lagoon Road that formerly was known for Rockfish Seafood and Steaks. Most recently, it was Dive Bar and Grille.
Jesse Blanco
Capri is being brought to you by the same very talented family behind Coastal Capri Ristorante up the road at South Island Square, mid-island on William Hilton Parkway. They had been considering the idea of opening a more casual concept for a while, and this one came together.
They’ve been tinkering with pizzas in their kitchen – Chicago-style, of course – but also thin crusts and other menu items that they plan to offer at this 200-seat restaurant near the beach. If you like Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, I would expect theirs to be great as well.
How can I be so sure? If you’ve not been to Coastal Capri yet, then you don’t know it has become an island go-to. Their food is as good as anything you will find in the region (Savannah included). The attention to detail is impeccable. If that same philosophy carries over to the more casual eatery – and I have no reason to believe it will not – then we are in for a treat on the south end.
Chef Johnny Rotivo at Coastal Capri is leading the charge here for now, but he tells me he will be getting help from some family members soon enough. I’m excited about this one. I think you will be too.
They recently took possession of the building, so now it’s a matter of getting in there, cleaning it up, and getting it ready for the season. There will indoor and outdoor seating as well as televisions and a large-ish bar for a far more casual feel than you get at their other location.
A quick search and a few questions of research later, and I found that you can’t find deep dish pizza on the island. I’ve seen many people being referred to Ricciardi’s Pizzeria in Richmond Hill, Georgia – which, by the way, is great Chicago-style pizza if you are ever over that way.
But soon you won’t have to do that. Your tastes of Chicago pizza will be right here on the island for you to eat and like.
The plan has been to open this summer. We will keep you posted.