If Antonino’s is the gem of Blackwood, then Taormina Pizza is just a dirty rock.
This place has lasted, though, and that has to count for something. It is in a dying strip mall, that actually still has a video rental store (complete with a curtained off porn section) and Sam’s Bar and Grill. That place is a dive, but it’s got a charm. I can’t really say the same for this place.
The slice comes out looking like it fell down the seat of a car and someone stuck a fat and down into the crack clawing around to get a hold of it. And they did. And they pulled up. Peeled the Starbuck’s receipt off of it. Pulled off the grimey penny and nickle. And slapped it onto this paper plate.
There was a whole family in there eating and having a good time. Mom, dad, four kids. One was a baby. It was in a stroller and didn’t say much. Because it was a baby.
The other three kids were running around sceaming and climbing on top of shit. The mom and dad, both heavy and sweaty and tired looking, ignored their chaotic children and ate their pizza in peaceful silence. They stared into eachother’s eyes as they ate. I wondered if I would ever get to have this same experience, sharing love for another person and love for pizza at the same time.
It’s been a while and it hasn’t happened yet.
This place is a shithole, but maybe I’m just a dick. That familly, that couple, had a great time there. Maybe who is more important than where.
I won’t likely go back to Taormina Pizza, but I remember this time fondly.
‘til the next slice.