Phantom Gourmet: Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza
WARREN, R.I. (CBS) -- Billy Manzo is a man who loves dough.
"Look at that. That's heaven right there," Manzo says.
And at Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza in Warren, Rhode Island, He's using his dough... along with plenty of sauce and cheese, to make what he thinks are some perfect pizzas.
"There are so many people that make pizza, but not too many people can perfect pizza," Manzo said.
Billy is a guy who likes to boast, and he has the awards to back it up. He's won international pizza competitions thanks to his dough and since it's so good, he makes sure his pies have a little bit more than your standard slice.
"You're gonna find that the product is a little little tiny thicker, crunchy, but not over the top, still soft," he said. "So the general tastes are there, but you're gonna get just a little bit more of what you're looking for I think."
There are traditional pizzas like the Margherita, and no-so-traditional options like BBQ Chicken with creamy blue cheese and Wisconsin Cheddar.
And despite the name, there's plenty more on the menu at Federal Hill Pizza than just pizza, including appetizers like golden Arancini filled with pancetta and mozzarella, and crispy fried ravioli with just enough breading, so you can actually taste what's inside.
"It's a flour, an egg, and then we bread crumb, we deep fry it, and you're actually tasting a deep fried ravioli, and we sell a ton of them," Manzo said.
Rounding out the menu are pastas, and burgers, and an irresistible chicken parm.
"So the chicken parm was an item that I actually refused to put on the menu. It got asked for so much that I had to bring it and put it over pasta. And the reason why it is very successful here, and the only reason why I would make it, is because the chicken cutlet is really tenderized to the point of being like a piece of paper," Manzo said.
Obviously Billy is a guy with strong opinions about the high quality of his food, and he thinks as soon as you taste it, you'll agree.
"I mean it's just good man. It's just good stuff man," he said.
Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.