Evan D
Google
Salud Beer Shop, nestled in the NoDa neighborhood. This joint is a beer lover’s paradise, serving up brews by the can and tap, wine, and they even have non-alcoholic options for those taking it easy. With seating for 5 at the bar and about 25 in the dining area, it’s cozy, intimate, and perfect for catching up with friends or making new ones.
When I strolled in, the TVs were buzzing with the excitement of the Euro soccer game, making it the ideal spot to kick back and enjoy a pint and a pizza. Parking? No worries there! Just a hop, skip, and a jump to a public parking garage that’ll set you back $5 an hour. Not too shabby for NoDa.
The menu at Salud is short but sweet, featuring pizza, meatballs, salads, and a couple of sandwiches. But let’s be real—I came here for the pizza, based on rave reviews from the local foodies. They’ve got a killer weekday lunch special: a cheese, margarita, or pepperoni pizza and 4 wings for a cool $15. Can’t beat that deal!
They offer 11 different 12-inch wood-fired pizzas, with vegan cheese available for those plant-based pals. I asked the bartender for his top pick, and he steered me towards the “El Gordo.” This pie comes loaded with house red sauce, mozzarella, a dollop of ricotta, thin slices of meatball, salami, basil leaves, EVOO, sea salt, and a drizzle of house-made hot honey.
The “El Gordo” arrived fresh out of the oven, piping hot and looking like a million bucks. Each slice was a work of art, with a slice of salami, a thin slice of meatball, a dollop of ricotta, basil leaves, and a drizzle of hot honey. If I had one tiny critique, it would be that the meatball could’ve been a bit more generous. One small sliver per slice left me wanting more of that meaty goodness.
The red sauce was on point—sweet, just the way I like it. The mozzarella was plentiful, maybe even a bit too plentiful, as it turned the crust a bit greasy and soggy. And while the hot honey was a nice touch, I wish there had been more of it to really amp up the flavor. The crust itself was on the softer side, so if you’re a fan of a crispier bite, I’d recommend asking them to cook it a bit longer.
All in all, Salud Beer Shop is definitely a spot I’d return to, especially with a friend to share a pie and some wings. And if you’re a beer connoisseur, this place should be on your must-visit list.