Riding the Tour de Pizza

This week the nice folks at tbt* have put together a list of 10 of the best unsung pizza places. Included was St. Petersburg's Tour de Pizza. Owner and bike enthusiast Matthew McClellan, 32, took over the spot of former Nick-N-Willy's in the Northeast shopping plaza (near Publix) three months ago.

Inside you'll find tons of cycling gear and memorabilia on the walls, including jerseys, vintage posters and even a couple complete bikes. You can get pizza by the slice or nosh on some salad, stromboli, calzones or subs if pizza's not your thing.

The pies sport loads of cheese that can get a little chewy once it coagulates (not a bad thing); not much sauce. The crust is thin but not crunchy — a chewy center wrapped in pleasant crispness. The 24 toppings are abundantly applied, including interesting toppers like Mandarin oranges, feta cheese and artichoke hearts.

There are 13 specialty pies, from the Salad Pizza (basil pesto topped with a fresh garden salad) to the MAClellan (white garlic sauce, mozzarella, spinach, roma tomatoes, mushrooms, spicy sausage and fresh basil). Pies run $6.99 to $15.99; slices $2.50 and up. 

They also deliver, with no set delivery radius, and offer you-bake, take-home pies.

The 411: Northeast Shopping Center, 212 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 898-5555; tourdepizzaonline.com. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

Comments

[Chip Haynes]

So far, it sounds like "Third Sunday of the month at 6 pm" is catching on.

[Kimberly]

"Third Sunday of the month at 6 pm" sounds good to me!

[Frank Rizzo]

Whats up with that dirty homeless guy working in the back?
Cant you find someone who is clean and presentable?
Oh and all those kids sitting around....do they really work there

[Kimberly]

Dirty homeless guy? As long as a person wash the hands, keeps the hands away from unwashed surfaces while preparing food, doesn't cough on food, and practices other good hygiene behaviors, a person won't pass diseases around.

I'm from farming and logging country. When you take a lunch break from the dirt, mud, manure, and stinky animals, you wash your hands before eating.

We were taught to never drink or eat from a straw, glass, fork, or other item that someone else had drunken or eaten from. Doing so passes on diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, measles, etc.

If you want to think about something really yucky, think about the saliva being consumed when you drink or eat from someone else's utensils.

If we gave tax credits to companies so they could afford to install showers for their employees, employees could bicycle to work and take a shower to wash off the sweat and be fresh and presentable to the customers.

[CrowdSurf1]

Is the "Pizza Run" open for anyone? I would love to meet you all

[Kimberly]

Yes, I'll be at Tour de Pizza on the 3rd Sunday at 6:00 PM. I'll probably be very tired that day from volunteering for the Bay to Bay. But, I plan to come! See you there CrowdSurf1!!

[Kimberly]

I was there Sunday, March 15th. I looked and didn't find anyone else there.

[Calvin]

I've eaten here twice and it is just wonderful. I'm on vacation here from TN but Tampa Bay is home for me this time while attending a workshop in St. Pete, a friend of mine recommended Matt's place to me and another friend. The food was awesome and heafty portions too. I met Matt and he has this big smile on his face and a very welcoming personality. His staff was also very friendly and respectful. I'm going back today. Stop in I bet you will like it. All the best to you Matt!!

[Calvin]

I've eaten here twice and it is just wonderful. I'm on vacation here from TN but Tampa Bay is home for me this time while attending a workshop in St. Pete, a friend of mine recommended Matt's place to me and another friend. The food was awesome and heafty portions too. I met Matt and he has this big smile on his face and a very welcoming personality. His staff was also very friendly and respectful. I'm going back today. Stop in I bet you will like it. All the best to you Matt!!