Tangy tomato sauce, salty mozzarella and a slightly charred crust. What is not to love? On Friday, Dec. 5, Andy’s Pizza opened in the Westfield Montgomery Mall. The restaurant was greeted with a warm welcome from the community, stirring up long lines and dozens of online orders. Andy’s is a delicious new addition, with striking flavors and tasty combinations.
While their pizza is clearly the star of the show, Andy’s offers a few appetizers to supplement the main course. Most of these options are relatively basic, including chicken tenders, wings and a couple salads. However, their charred broccolini was a standout dish. It was topped with parmesan, breadcrumbs and lemon, offering a nice crunch and subtle tartness in each bite. They also offer Old Bay fries, a Maryland favorite. The fries were crispy and golden, with just the right amount of spice.
With 13 other locations, it is certainly not Andy’s first rodeo. This was very evident in their classic cheese pie. Each bite was full of slightly sweet tomato sauce paired with fresh mozzarella. The crust was just thin enough, without being too crunchy.
When it comes to pizzas, the burrata margherita pie stood out above all. It includes 24 month aged parmesan, fresh basil, finished with a hand tied knot of burrata mozzarella and drizzled with cold pressed olive oil. Each bite of burrata was creamy and salty, complementing the sweet, tangy sauce perfectly. The basil was also an essential component in adding more depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
Andy’s offers a wide range of toppings that can either go on the whole pie or just half. They range from classic options such as pepperoni and mushroom to more rare choices such as fresh ricotta and caramelized onions. The sausage and caramelized onion pie was a yummy combination, but had a minor flaw. The caramelized onion was too sweet paired with the tomato sauce. The savory flavor of the sausage was somewhat overpowered by the immense amount of sweetness.
Andy’s accommodates those with allergies through an allergy modifier list that customers can choose from. Additionally, for dairy allergies, they offer either no cheese or cashew-based dairy-free cheese as well as a dairy-free margarita pie. The goal of this is to make the Andy’s experience more inclusive and less stressful for individuals with dietary restrictions.
In terms of pricing, Andy’s is in the middle to high range compared to other local pizza restaurants. At Andy’s, an 18-inch cheese pie costs $22.50. At Flippin’ Pizza in Bethesda, the same size pizza costs $18.75. At Frank Pepe’s, a competing pizza restaurant in the mall, it is $19.25. However, at Potomac Pizza, a pizza that is slightly smaller costs $20.99, making it very comparable to Andy’s.
When ordering for pickup or delivery, the customer is limited to starters, whole pies and a couple sodas. However, more options open up for those who go in person to buy at the counter. Customers can choose between whole pies or individual slices, with classic slices costing $4.50, and specialty pizzas costing between $6 and $7. Also, an additional appetizer is offered: fried brussel sprouts.
Additionally, two combos are offered to in-person customers. Two slices and a coke can be purchased for $10, while two slices and a lemonade can be purchased for $14. However, this lemonade is not just any lemonade. It is freshly squeezed and served in quart-sized plastic containers, offering a refreshing, citrusy treat to compliment a salty slice of pizza.
One downside of the in-person experience is the lack of separate seating for the restaurant. Some of the food court restaurants, like Cava, offer a somewhat isolated separate seating area, providing a quieter, calmer environment for customers to enjoy their meal. However, those enjoying Andy’s are right in the middle of the bustling food court.
Grabbing a slice of Andy’s pizza is the perfect lunch for WCHS students, and a couple pies are a great dinner for local families. The menu includes something delectable for everyone to savor and enjoy.
