Louisville Magazine - Best Pizza

Last week the December issue arrived. Looks like they had 31 places tried over a couple of months and Coals got the Number One Best Pizza in Louisville. They ranked their vote for the top dozen from a panel of judges that worked on the project. Can't send a link, for some reason the hardcopies are out the website is not updated.
Is 31 a large enough sample? Heck, there are probably 31 places with pizza within walking distance (in warm, dry weather) of our house, let alone in the entire metro. That's not a slam on Coal's, still need to try them. Had pizza at most of the others on the list and they all have good ones.

I would find it hard to name 31 different pizza places they should be in the running for best local pizza. As you stated there obviously are many more places than that but in reality many of them don't fall into the top category and others are just different locations of the same company. I certainly will pick up a copy of the magazine to see who they compared in what the results were. I personally think their choice for number one is a great choice but I'm sure many others will disagree. It's really hard to compare all the different styles and you come up with an overall winner. Different people prefer different styles of pizza and thus would rank the place is very differently.

I've looked at their website and they don't have the December issue posted there yet.

Congrats to Mark and Madeline! As someone who considers pizza as one of the basic food groups, I couldn't agree more. Since their opening, I've been close to 40 times and have watched with interest as they tweaked it a bit along the way. In my humble opinion, it's not even close for the best. This, of course, is a personal preference and your mileage may vary...

That's not a slam on Coal's, still need to try them. Had pizza at most of the others on the list and they all have good ones.

Dude, you need to get out of the Highands now and then. First stop...Coals in St. Matts

Not a bad choice for number one. Coal's does a good job and glad to see them get recognition. It's much better than what I've seen earn "Top" honors in the past.

Dude, you need to get out of the Highands now and then. First stop...Coals in St. Matts

Harrumph...I'll have you know we're getting our own Dunkin' Donuts soon!

Anyway, we do have a bunch of us going there later in December. We'll probably get more than one selection. Any suggestions? Doesn't have to be pizza though we'll definitely order some of that as well. Please tell me they have a decent or better beer list. Oh yeah, and wine. Wife will be, shall we say, testy for 4 - 6 days if I hoodwink her into going to eat supper at a place without wine.

Please tell me they have a decent or better beer list. Oh yeah, and wine. Wife will be, shall we say, testy for 4 - 6 days if I hoodwink her into going to eat supper at a place without wine.

Lonnie,
I was in two weeks ago and they had a good selection of bottled beer. I had a Schlafly APA. Madeline says their taps will go active sometime in December. I am breathlessly awaiting that announcement. As for wine, they have it and I can't imagine they do anything half assed there. I'm not a wino myself so I can't tell you a thing about it.

Coal's is my favorite pizza. It is so good, that I forced myself to save half of my dinner pizza to take to some friends who have been unable to make it over. Yes, I sacrificed for others! Can hardly believe it myself. Cheers

I had a Schlafly APA. As for wine, they have it... I'm not a wino myself so I can't tell you a thing about it.

Whew! Schlafly is always a solid option.

I hear you, brother, on the wine thing. Pour half a shot of vodka in a glass of Welch's and I probably couldn't tell it from a wine that sells for astronomical prices, $10 or even $15 a bottle! But I think they like to call themselves "winERs"(?), not sure. "Wino" is like "Trekkie". Us old schoolers shouldn't write it off, though, just because beer has a few thousand years head start in history - hence inventing taps. Those wine kids have been at it a while too, so it's definitely more than a fad. Gotta give 'em their due.

Wine availability is a serious relief to know about, though, because I already pretty much commited us to go just on the reputation of their pizza without doing the "due diligence" effort on the adult beverage side. Could have been a cold New Year's Eve at our house...

So what about appetizers and so forth to suppliment the pizzas? Anyone have ideas on a good "pass around" order mix for a group of maybe a dozen folks?

Thanks everyone for your comments. We still have not seen the article and it is killing us! Where the heck can I find the magazine?

Lonnie, we have a brand new room available for large groups if you are interested. Just let me know when you plan on visiting Coals. We have 30 plus beers as well as a great selection of red and white wines including a fabulous Italian Montepulciano or Pinot Grigio for 5.00 a glass or 15.00 a bottle. We also have a full bar.

Shane..The taps have been pushed out to the first of the year Believe me, it is our first priority after the completion of the party room.

Again, thanks for all your comments. As new restaurateurs we have grown to realize what a risk it is to start a restaurant. For now things look great but we are not going to relax anytime soon.

I just skimmed the article the other day, but was disappointed that there wasn't room for Perfetto (9910 Linn Station Road). I haven't tried Coals yet, but I have tried lots of the others on the list, and Perfetto is my favorite. I love their thin, crunchy crust.

So what about appetizers and so forth to suppliment the pizzas? Anyone have ideas on a good "pass around" order mix for a group of maybe a dozen folks?

I'd put the meatballs and arancini on the must try list. I'm not normally a huge fan of either, but I crave Coal's versions.

They also carry Southern Tier IPA and the old standby Sierra Nevada.

We still have not seen the article and it is killing us! Where the heck can I find the magazine?

Until you find one, here's a greyscale scan of the part of the article pertaining to Coal's. Since the piece covers each of 12 restaurants as well as other material on the subject of local pizza, I expect this excerpt is OK to show under the fair use rules - not for commerical purposes, does not detract from the value of reading the entire piece in the original publication.

BTW, we get Louisville Magazine as part of the benefits of supporting our three local public radio stations via Louisville Public Media membership / annual contribution. It's a good cause and there are often local food related articles.

Thank Lonnie. Louisville magazine did call and say they were bringing by some copies. This scan will, at least, whet the appetite!