Cappy's in Palma Ceia: Deep Dish, No Thanks

Last Friday night we were in the mood for pizza and wanted to try a place we hadn't been to before so we decided on Cappy's Pizzeria on Bay to Bay in Palma Ceia.  I had received generally positive feedback about Cappy's after my review of the Gourmet Pizza Company a few months ago so I thought it was worth giving this independent pizzeria a try.

Last year, Cappy's moved from its long-time location on SOHO into an old two-story bungalow on Bay to Bay.  I like the location and the funky style of the place.  We had expected the restaurant to be busy, since it was a Friday evening.  What we didn't expect was that the place would be packed with little kids and families.  Our wait for a table was made more bearable, though, by Cappy's cool "serve yourself" beer case.  This fits perfectly with the vibe of the place, minus the rug rats.    

After about a thirty minute wait, we were seated.  Cappy's menu smartly keeps things simple.  We decided upon a small Greek salad to split as a starter, an order of cheese bread, and a medium-sized deep-dish "Cappy" pizza.  "The Cappy" is their name for a supreme.  After placing our order, I looked around and noticed that most folks were eating Cappy's New York-style pizza and not the deep dish Chicago-style, but at this point I still thought we were in okay shape.  How wrong I was.

First out was our Greek salad and cheese bread.  While the Greek salad was delicious and better than I expected, the cheese bread was a little disappointing.  While the bread tasted fresh, it could have used some garlic and other seasonings to make it a little more interesting.  As for our pizza, not only was it drenched in sauce, which overwhelmed the flavor of the toppings, but the sauce itself was pretty bland.  The toppings also seemed non-existent.  For the above average price, I definitely expected more. I'm no expert on deep dish pizza, but this certainly wasn't a pizza I'd wait in line for again.  I'm guessing that Cappy's New York-style pizza is what brings people back.

Whatever the case, Cappy's might have the best New York-style pizza in the world, but their deep dish makes me cautious to go back.  Cappy's is only open at night and cash-only. I'd wait until after 7pm on the weekend, otherwise you may feel like you've stepped into Chuck E. Cheese. Parking is tight. There is also a second Cappy's location in Seminole Heights.  The Seminole Heights location did flawless on its last health inspection, while the Bay to Bay location didn't do nearly as well.

I still have Eddie & Sam's NY Pizza in downtown Tampa  on my list to check out.  What other local pizza joints do you think I should try?      

Bottom-line: I can't speak for the old location in SOHO, but I like the vibe and atmosphere of the Bay to Bay location.  We didn't have a good experience with their Chicago-style deep dish pizza, but maybe you'll have more luck with their New-York style pie. 

Inspection Scorecard:  Last Inspection - December 2006 - Violations - Critical (8), Non-Critical (3).

Comments

[Joel]

I've been to Cappy's many times (mostly in SOHO, one time in Seminole Heights) and have not once had the deep-dish. The NY style is definitely the way to go.

I went to the Heights location about a week after it had opened. A big a/c duct ran along the warehouse-style ceiling and over our table. The condensation caused water to leak on my head. Not sure if they've gotten that fixed, but other than that I can't complain about the place.

My own personal best kept pizza secret - Pizza Suprema in the Super Target shopping center on County Line Road between Hillsborough and Pasco. Hard to believe anything in New Tampa that isn't a national chain could survive, but it's easy when your pizza is fantastic.

[matt]

Joel-

Thanks for the feedback on your Cappy's visits. Even though I didn't like the deep dish, I thought it was a cool place and I'm sure at some point we'll go back and get the NY style pie.

Pizza Suprema: I didn't know independent restaurants were allowed to exist up there ;)

[anne]

I think Cappy's has some of the best Pizza and with that I have never tried their deep dish - as I am generally not a fan. Their NY style is wonderful. I have had Eddie and Sams at lunch time and it is also quality - tastes like NY pizza (as good as it can be in Tampa w/o that infamous water). Been to Sally O'Neals?

[matt]

I will have to give Eddie & Sam's a try. We seem to be the only people who've ever had the deep dish at Cappy's ha

Re: Sally O'Neals- tried it once about a year and a half ago- thought it was ok, not great.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[RIck]

GO back to Cappy's for the NY Style...4 of us go a few times a onth for a large greek salad, and a large Cappys NY style with pepperoni and mushrooms..YUM! I wonder why there were so many kiddies..we suually get htere between 5 and 6 when they open, or after 8.
Have you tried Ceasar's Pizza on S Dale Mabry?

[matt]

The greek salad was really good. Why I didn't notice everyone had NY style on their tables *before* we ordered is beyond me, anyways..

Haven't been to Ceasar's Pizza, where on S Dale Mabry?

Thanks for the feedback-

[David Jenkins]

I'm also not a fan of Cappy's Chicago-style pie. A friend has gotten it a few times take-out, and they almost always forget to cut it. That's pretty annoying.

I'm also not a Chicago expert, but we have a friend from there who says the pies are very authentic.

In general I agree with you on that style though - too much sauce, not enough toppings (particularly the cheese!).

All that said though, their NY-style will make you slap your mom in the eye for a piece.

It's dangerous having one down the street from me now (the SH location).

[matt]

"All that said though, their NY-style will make you slap your mom in the eye for a piece."

The best praise for Cappy's I've seen so far :)

[tim]

I really believe that the Pizza Suprema at BBD and County Line is the best pizza made in America.

[Tammy]

If you're ever up there, Pizza Villa - 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Land O' Lakes. The Sangria is ok, it comes in a huge pitcher. Best Greek Salad I've ever had. Pizza is very good.

[matt]

That's two endorsements now for Pizza Suprema- thanks

Also thanks to Tammy for the Pizza Villa suggestion.

[Bethany]

I am really enjoying your site.

Give Mr. T's on the Kennedy just west of North Blvd. a try. They have some of the best NY Style pizza around. They do close for one month a year (in August, I think) when the owners go back home to Italy. They are incredible and usually have an opera singer on weekends which you would never suspect from the exterior and interior.

[Jeff]

You should try Stephanno.s Pizzeria & Italian Eatery in Seminole Heights. I think the have the best NY Style Pizza in Tampa. They have patio seating, delivery and C/O.

Their located at 6607 N Florida Ave, about 4 Blocks South of Sligh Ave.
Ph 232-9486

Great sandwichs served on their homemade focaccia bread. Great Antipasto Salad. Yummy

[L2W]

Funny, I find Cappy's Chicago style deep dish wonderful (matter of fact, was telling someone about it, and had to stop in there this past weekend because I had a bad craving for one after talking about it). Two things people need to be aware of (based on the previous 'negative' comments) 1) the 'toppings' are underneath the sauce...so, it might not look like much (they put a few on top so they can tell what pizza it is coming out of the oven) - I got a pepperoni and onion this past weekend, and it was loaded with both, and 2) they don't cut the take out Chicagos because otherwise the sauce and filling would be a runny mess by the time you got it home, so it is intentional (and not just to annoy people).

Obviously, others really like the NY style. Have never tried it. My first Cappy's pizza was a Chicago, and that's what I crave every time I go there now...

Guess that's why they have two types of pizza - so everyone can be happy...

I also recommend getting there right when they open at 5pm, else you have quite a wait for a table.

Another good location for traditional pizza is Cellinis, and if you want something quite unique in the pizza dept - try a Mad Dog's Pizza at Mad Dog's and Englishmen.

[L2W]

Funny, I find Cappy's Chicago style deep dish wonderful (matter of fact, was telling someone about it, and had to stop in there this past weekend because I had a bad craving for one after talking about it). Two things people need to be aware of (based on the previous 'negative' comments) 1) the 'toppings' are underneath the sauce...so, it might not look like much (they put a few on top so they can tell what pizza it is coming out of the oven) - I got a pepperoni and onion this past weekend, and it was loaded with both, and 2) they don't cut the take out Chicagos because otherwise the sauce and filling would be a runny mess by the time you got it home, so it is intentional (and not just to annoy people).

Obviously, others really like the NY style. Have never tried it. My first Cappy's pizza was a Chicago, and that's what I crave every time I go there now...

Guess that's why they have two types of pizza - so everyone can be happy...

I also recommend getting there right when they open at 5pm, else you have quite a wait for a table.

Another good location for traditional pizza is Cellinis, and if you want something quite unique in the pizza dept - try a Mad Dog's Pizza at Mad Dog's and Englishmen.

[matt]

L2W,

I guess to each his own re: Cappy's. :) On our second and only other visit there, we had a bad experience with the service so just not for us.

Thanks also for the other pizza place suggestions.

[Steve]

This has to be one of the WORSE eating establishments I been to. It should be called Crappy's. We went on a Saturday night around 6pm. Not very busy. Like you, we waited close to 30 minutes to be seated. Of course we didn't see the sign yourself in wait list for a table but there were tables open! The sign in sheet was some yellowed note pad with a dull pencil on a pedastal, no sign or note indicating what the hell it was for. Once we signed in we were seated. I asked about the wait and the hostess mumbled something about us not signing in (even though there were open tables). Must some pussy-ass Palma Ceia thing. Anyway, we were seated and promptly waited on, if you consider a 20 minute wait for your waitress to introduce herself as 'prompt' (maybe there's a sign in sheet hidden somewhere in the establishment you sign requesting a waitress). Anyway, we ordered the Cappy's. What came out around 45 minutes later resembled nothing like the pic in the menu. What we got was basically a loaf of bread soaked in sauce with mushy toppings and sparse amounts of meat. It was the most HORRID pizza I ever have. I have had Chicago style pizza and the crap that was thrown at us was not even close. I could of taken a Bolbli crust and a can of tomato soup and made a better pizza! Also, the sodas we had were flat. And yes, parking was practically non-existent even though most of the shops in the wimpy Palma Ceia district were closed and Crappy's was not busy. I'll never go back and I wouldn't even dare recommend this dump to anyone. Crappy's was a horrible experince and a waste of money. Crappy's you can go to hell. Thanks for wasting nearly two hours of my life.

[matt]

Steve,

Thanks for telling us how you really feel! ;)

[Brendan]

I live a few blocks away form cappy's so whenever im craving some pizza, its definitely the place i go. I have always had their deep dish and never had a problem with it. I know everyone has a different taste but personally i think theirs is probably better than most places around here. Also, their new york style definitely kicks ass. By far the best ny style pizza in tampa

But if you get a chance, try lenny and vinnys pizza on howard. The pizza is pretty good, its independently owned but the only problem with them is the service. Its self-owned and whenever its slow, they will close early. I went last week 3 hours before they normally close and no one was inside.

O and Steve, honestly come up with something better than "crappy's" i think my 3 year old brother could do better. And besides quit trying to give all of us "palma ceia" people shit. Go back to your "better" pizza places and cry about your problems there