Pizza Artisan

A friend and I went to the Pizza Artisan to share and saw they now offer £3.50 mini-bite-size pizzas.

I hope this isn't just an experiment, and they're a permanent fixture, they're a delicious decent snack.

(That's right) £3.50 - Bargain!

aspgfx (Unverified), 28/02/12

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NOM! - I've eaten there several times & it certainly is special. My partner is Italian so we've tried Pizza all over Oxford, but this is her favourite. Also, I wonder what they're planning with this: www.pizzaartisan.co.uk - the chef mentioned it?

urbanaut (Unverified), 20/11/11

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The first time I had one of these I found the topping a bit skimpy. Lovely fresh ingredients, though, and beautifully cooked.

The point-of-sale Citroen van outside Christ Church college is traditional, classic, quirky, fun, and - above all - clean.

The second time I had one (I'll admit I didn't go back for some time: a friend prompted me to try one again) the toppings seemed fairer for the price.

The more adequate topping meant I could taste more as well as feel better fed (and not feel I was just paying for the novelty of it all). It was delicious, I have to say.

overseer (Unverified), 16/11/11

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I've reviewed this splendid enterprise before, so this is just to let its fans know that the van is back (as of November 2011). It can be followed on Facebook.

giles (DI User), 09/11/11

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I am giving my highest recommendation. This pizza is delicious. Worth much more than its price. I am, as was another commenter below, a fairly discriminating (snobbish?) pizza eater; and rarely have tried pizza I would praise. With this pizza, however, I am not only praising, but bothering to write this review. The base is excellent (thin and appropriately crisp), salsa delicious (one of the fruitiest tomato sauces I've ever had - right on the money), and toppings fresh, simple and thus ideal. Also worth saying that the pizza man himself was friendly, polite and deservedly busy.

Pete (Unverified), 18/07/11

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This is the best pizza in Oxford and the wood fire is amazing. Friendly staff. Thank you Guys, All the best

imi (Unverified), 14/07/11

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The mastery and skill that has been put into each one of his pizza pies is undeniable. He demands absolute perfection and delivers it. In California we are surrounded by pizza of all types; thin and thick, greasy and vegan. I have enjoyed every slice that Paul has crafted from his mobile wood fired oven. The Sgt. Pepper is by far my favorite. piled on top he offers Rocket, s&p, olive oil and parmesan cheese. Love this place, a definite must go. Get there early as he may run out of this delicious food.
PS If you made it to Southern California there is a culture of food trucks that is booming. You have your niche - come to the land of opportunity.
Thanks Paul!!

MM (Unverified), 09/07/11

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Always exquisite. Reasonable prices, friendly service, good location, and the best pizza in Oxford. I'm a student and visit regularly - never had to wait longer than 10 minutes or so, from arriving at the van to walking away with my pizza. Apparently they won't be around on Sundays from now on. As for the other days of the week, it can be a bit erratic but they generally tend to be around serving from about 7pm until midnight. Beats any pizza - restaurant or otherwise - that I've had.

Sean (Unverified), 16/05/11

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So how good is Pizza Artisan? Let me be clear: definitely not as good as some of the Chicago and New York legends. But the best pizza I've had in almost a decade of living in the UK? Certainly, yes.

Russell (Unverified), 13/05/11

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Pizza Artisan is that truck outside Christchurch every night that looks like a spaceship, a fitting appearance: the pizza is out of this world (good). I am a self-proclaimed pizza snob. I am from Chicago, the home of deep dish and the best pizza in the world. I usually criticize and seldom compliment pizza from anywhere but the Windy City.

But Pizza Artisan is too good to say anything negative about. In fact, it's the best pizza I have had in a very long time, and that includes some of my favorite places in Chicago. Paul, the owner, makes every pie with great care and to great reward for to the customer. The only down side to this place is that the line keeps getting longer every new day. Right now it is the best kept secret in Oxford. But I don't think Pizza Artisan will be a secret for much longer.

Pete (Unverified), 09/05/11

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Some of the best pizzas I've had in the UK - perfect dough and a deep, rich sauce complimented by a good array of well though out toppings. They only do 5 or so pizzas but every one is delicious. There is a great range of oils, rocket/spinach and other extras which really round off the pizzas well - how pizzas should be! Ring ahead to avoid queues at the weekend.

ATG (Unverified), 25/03/11

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Those pizzas, that van. Which is the best part of the experience? The pizzas are so well priced and top top top delicious; the service is efficient but also very friendly; and that restored Citroen van is a little charmer. Standing in line having a chat in the queue outside the Christ Church entrance on St Aldates - it sort of puts a new dimension on eating out - especially with that fire heating up the surrounds on a cold night. It's excellent - well done!

Denis (Unverified), 06/03/11

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This is really the best pizza in Oxford. The main event is the beautiful, light, puffy crust, but the toppings are also good: the tomato base is rich but not too cloying, the cheese is good and there are a decent range of additions. I'd like to see more diversity on the menu, such as a bianco, but apparently that's in the pipeline.

When you think of the typical, no-better-than-it-needs to be food that this city is mostly (under)served by, you can only applaud the passion and good taste of this operation. The students know that this is a good thing: so should year-round residents.

Cool van, too.

giles (DI User), 02/03/11

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There is a fire in that van! A real, proper fire! If this is not enough to lure you, then you should definitely go for the pizza. We went on a Thursday night, then we went back Friday night, and then we went back on Monday. It is that good. You know when you have a dish in front of you, and, half-way through, you get bored with it, and you're indifferent about whether or not you finish? Well, this is not the case here.

The first night, we were so engrossed with our food that the last slice in the box actually came as a shock. We just HAD to go back for more. And you have to consider that we'd just missed the bus home, waited 20 minutes for the next, and by the time we reached home, the pizzas were lukewarm at best.

We had the Funghi (tomato sauce, mozzarella, and mushrooms, £5.50) and the Diavolo (tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sweet red chillies, red onions, and mushrooms, £6.50). The second time, we had a Chimera (tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami, pepperoni, and roasted red onions, £7.50) and a Diavolo without pepperoni (made vegetarian to order). The third time we had the Diavolo again, and the Madonna (tomato sauce, mozzarella, red onions, fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh rocket salad, and Parmesan shavings, £6.50).

The all-important base is bready and nice without being doughy or chewy, and nothing beats a pizza out of a wood-fire oven. Each pizza is topped after cooking with fresh rocket and baby spinach (nice touch), salt and pepper if you wish, grated Parmesan (not traditional, in the part of Italy I come from, but no complaints), and a selection of oils, from extra virgin olive oil to flavoured oils, chilli oil, etc. The proprietors are friendly and smiley.

You can phone and order your pizza in advance for pick-up, although at times they might not be able to pick up the phone: of the three times, twice we had quite a queue. Good news travels fast. You know what? ... Tomorrow night, pizza.

D&M (DI User), 28/02/11

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