A Highly Anticipated New Pizza Spot Brings Unique Pies to the Heights

Restaurateur Lee Ellis isn’t one for downtime. The Petite Sweets and Lee’s Fried Chicken and Donuts proprietor debuted his new restaurant group, Cherry Pie Hospitality, a mere four months ago. His first order of business — transforming the former Pour Society space at 947 Gessner Road into Texas-themed restaurant State Fare. But managing three budding restaurants while expanding his newly unveiled ice cream line — Lee’s Creamery — didn’t deter Ellis from starting another concept.

Next week, Ellis is scheduled to open Pi Pizza at 181 Heights Boulevard with partner and chef Anthony Calleo (Calleo began operating Pi Pizza food truck in October 2011.) This marks the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location.

Twenty of Calleo’s signature pies — all made with locally sourced ingredients including Dairymaids’ cheese, Broken Arrow Ranch venison sausage, and Bravado Spice — span the menu. Guests can opt for Pi Pizza favorites such as the Not-Your-Parent’s Pepperoni fashioned with house-made Italian sausage and fresh jalapeños; The Southern Heritage, which combines mozzarella and provolone cheese with bacon-braised collards and pancetta; the Who’s the Mac, a pizza topped with homemade macaroni and cheese; and The Herbivoracious, a vegetarian-friendly pie topped with arugula, roasted garlic oil, toasted almonds, fennel pollen, and fresh lemon zest. Or try one of Calleo’s rotating specialty pizzas or the make-your-own option.

While the pizza takes center stage, Pi Pizza also offers house-made apps (yes, the food truck’s infamous sopressata rolls grace the menu), salads (we’re looking forward to the arugula strawberry) and sandwiches (meatball, chicken parmesan, and cheesesteak pack the subs.) Libations flow with frozen cocktails, craft beer ,and draft wine at customers’ disposal. Custom bottled cocktails also make an appearance, thanks to Cherry Pie Hospitality’s beverage director, Laurie Harvey.

Dessert comes in the form of fresh chocolate chip cookies from Petite Sweets and booze-infused ice cream courtesy Lee’s Creamery. Satisfy your sweet tooth with frozen flavors like old-fashioned with brown sugar, apricot-infused bourbon, bitters and Luxardo cherries, and beer flavors made with local brews from 8th Wonder Brewery and Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.