Pizza, as with most things in life, is a very personal thing.  Some people like their crusts hand-tossed, while others prefer deep-dish.  Luckily enough, for me, the pizza at Downtown Las Vegas’ new Evel Pie features a firm, crispy crust that crunches when chewed – which, as you might’ve gathered, is precisely how I like it.

This crispy crust – at least in the case of the slice of Pepperoni Pizza that I samples – was topped with a savory tomato sauce with a hint of sweetness, and pepperoni that was zesty without being too spicy.  If you’ll allow a very mixed metaphor, it was the Goldilocks of slices, being “just right.”

The reason behind my schlepping Downtown, when there are dozens of pizza joints within a mile or two of my neighborhood, was the grand opening of the aforementioned Evel Pie, opened in the Fremont East district; and (despite having to be up at 6am to make an early flight) I’m very glad I went.

Evel Pie teams-up High Horse – the hospitality collective comprised of Branden Powers, Jeff Fine, and Seth Schorr, best known as the team responsible for Chinatown’s favorite hipster hideout, The Golden Tiki – with Kelly Knievel (son of the late daredevil and pizzeria namesake) and chef Vincent Rotolo (the venue’s GM); and kicked things off with a pizza party for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.  There, Chef Rotolo spoke briefly about Knievel (“…an ordinary guy, like you and I… a dream; he taught us that everyone can jump, but not everyone can stick the landing.”), before instructing the kids from NPHY on the finer points of making one’s own pizza; after which, they all sat down for the Cheesy Rider pies they’d made, themselves.

And while I opted for that slice of pepperoni (because that’s just how I do), there are a number of unique pies that will appeal to the more adventurous pizza aficionados and foodies who congregate, Downtown.  Among these specialty pizzas are the Balls to the Wall (topped with homemade meatballs prepared using Knievel’s own recipe, Sunday gravy, mushrooms, and onions), the Goblin Sausage (topped with spicy pepperoni, chorizo, Italian sausage, and bacon), and the World-Famous Snake River Special (topped with rattlesnake jalapeño sausage, onions, bell peppers, and fresh garlic).

The vibe is fun and festive (without being too loud), and the décor is steeped in Americana and Evel Kneivel memorabilia (much of it, from his family).

Powers spoke, briefly, saying "Evel was a Las Vegas legend and we're honored to pay tribute to him and all that he stood for through our business.  He inspired us; and just like him, we had a dream, and went for it!"  Powers continued by thanking the Downtown community for the “outpouring of love and support.”

So, the next time you’re ambling around the Fremont East district, in Downtown Las Vegas; sidle-up to the window at Evel Pie, order yourself a slice, and remember their slogan “Live hard, ride fast, eat pizza!”

Evel Pie
Downtown Las Vegas
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#EvelPie