"In a narrow pocket of 400 Fairview’s food court, this promising al taglio pizza counter serves crunchy Roman-style rectangles worth rerouting SLU lunch plans for. You’ll see the usual tomato-splashed suspects done well—like a basil-brightened margherita or a classic cheese pie polka-dotted with crackly halal pepperoni. But Pizza By Ruffin doesn’t stop at the basics. Punchy green jamaican curry catapults an otherwise monotonous mushroom slice to another lunar plane, squash is paired with brie, and they’re even loading pies with gumbo ingredients. In a neighborhood bereft of solid pie options, this is progress. photo credit: Nate Watters Food Rundown Hot Sausage Imagine a simmering pot of jambalaya—savory Louisiana sausage and all—turned into a pizza slice. It’s packed with flavor, and the bell peppers and carrots stay nice and firm, even after reheating. photo credit: Nate Watters The Fun Guy This one is loaded corner to corner with mushrooms and a nutty-spicy green jerk base. It’s a must. Doro Wat The mild cheese steps aside to let juicy hunks of chicken and gingery doro wat paste do the heavy lifting. And the finely chopped cilantro adds a bright kick to every bite. We just wish there were way more of that doro wat happening all over." - Aimee Rizzo
