Beach Blog Restaurant Spotlight: Ultimate California Pizza
By Christina Lee Knauss
There's a reason owners of Ultimate California Pizza describe its signature item as "the perfect pizza picky people love."
With 50 toppings available, Ultimate California offers by far the Strand's most extensive selection of options for pizza lovers seeking a true dining experience.
Since the first location opened at 25th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach in 1990, Ultimate California has become a favorite with locals and visitors. Both groups regularly select it as "Best Pizza" in the Myrtle Beach Sun News' annual Best of the Beach awards.
"Our selection has enabled us to be successful - we were the first on the beach to offer a gourmet pie," said Michael Tomko, director of operations for Ultimate California Pizza.
Diners can "build their own designer pizza" by selecting from the huge list of toppings, which include 17 different vegetables, 10 sauces, seven cheeses, meats ranging from standards such as pepperoni to chicken and salami, fresh fruit and nuts, and a selection of herbs. "Premium" toppings include marinated portabella mushrooms, artichoke hearts, filet mignon, turkey, smoked Gouda cheese and chevre (French goats milk cheese).
There also are 20 specialty pizzas available, ranging from the San Francisco (filet mignon) to the blackened surf and turf (steak and shrimp).
The best-selling specialty pizza is by far the Big Kahuna, described as a "monster everything pie" (medium, $16.99; large $18.99). The Kahuna features pepperoni, smoked ham, ground beef, Italian and pork sausage, sautéed mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives, tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and smoked gouda cheese. Tomko estimates that over the years more than 25,000 of these pizzas have been served.
There's even a dessert pizza, the Beverly Hills, which is an apple pie topped with cheddar cheese and available in personal ($6.99), medium ($10.99) and large ($15.99).
New pizza options are added to the menu each year, based on suggestions from customers as well as new ideas from the restaurant's management.
The menu also includes pasta dishes such as baked manicotti ($5.99, $6.99 with meatballs), lasagna with meat ($6.99), ziti (a new offering), signature sandwiches, wraps, salads, wings and a selection of appetizers.
Ultimate California offers multiple options for diners - dine-in, carryout or delivery. All locations are decorated to reflect the restaurant's California name, with bright colors, modern furniture and other décor inspired by the surfer scene, including real surfboards hanging on the walls. The atmosphere is laid-back and family-friendly, and kids can order from their own special menu, which even includes a peanut butter and jelly pizza made on a bread crust!
A full bar is also available at all California Pizza locations.
Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Dress is casual, and no reservations are required. Ultimate California can also serve large parties and provide catering services.
To learn more and find periodic specials, visit www.UltimateCaliforniaPizza.com.
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