Foodie Mob Review: Back Draughts – Brick Oven Pizza and a Ranch Worth Talking About
🍕 A Late Lunch That Delivered
Stopped by Back Draughts for a late lunch and came away impressed by both the food and the overall experience.
What first caught my attention was being able to see the brick oven while dining. Watching pizzas being cooked added to the atmosphere and gave the restaurant a unique touch that you don’t find everywhere.
🍽️ What We Ordered
We ordered the Supreme Pizza, featuring a red sauce base with mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, peppers, sausage, pepperoni, and green olives.
The crust was cooked really well and had a great texture. What impressed me most was the use of green olives instead of the traditional black olives you typically find on a supreme pizza.
I had never had green olives on a pizza before, and they added a unique flavor that worked surprisingly well with the other toppings. It was a small detail, but one that helped make the pizza memorable.
🥒 Appetizer
We also ordered the Fried Pickle Fries.
That’s right—pickle fries.
The lightly battered pickle fries were cooked nicely and had a great crunch. They were flavorful on their own, but what really made this appetizer stand out was the homemade buttermilk ranch.
I’ve had a lot of ranch dressing over the years, and this was easily one of the best buttermilk ranches I’ve had. It was creamy, packed with flavor, and paired perfectly with the pickle fries.
The pickle fries were good.
The ranch stole the show.
👀 The Vibe
One of the things I enjoyed most about Back Draughts was watching the brick oven while eating. It added to the overall experience and gave the restaurant a welcoming feel.
The atmosphere felt like a traditional neighborhood bar and grill. Since we visited during a late lunch, it wasn’t overly busy, which made for a relaxed dining experience.
That said, I could easily see this place being packed on a weekend.
😊 Service
The service was excellent.
Our server was friendly, attentive, and available when needed without hovering over the table. It struck a nice balance, allowing us to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed.
One of the highlights of the visit was getting the chance to talk with the pizza maker. While watching the brick oven in action, I spoke with him and learned a little about the pizza-making process. He even took the time to show me how he makes a pizza, and I got a photo with him.
It’s always nice to meet the people behind the food, and that personal interaction made the experience even more enjoyable.
💬 Foodie Mob Take
Back Draughts does a great job of taking familiar favorites and adding a few unique touches that make them stand out.
Whether it’s the green olives on the Supreme Pizza or the homemade buttermilk ranch served with the Fried Pickle Fries, it’s clear that attention to detail is paid.
The ability to watch the brick oven in action, combined with the opportunity to meet the pizza maker, helped turn a simple lunch into a memorable experience.
Back Draughts isn’t your typical pizza joint, and the pricing reflects that. The Fried Pickle Fries cost $10, and the Supreme Pizza ranged from $21 to $28 depending on size. Some diners may experience a little sticker shock at first glance, especially if they’re expecting traditional pizza shop prices.
However, the brick oven cooking, quality ingredients, homemade buttermilk ranch, and overall dining experience help explain the difference.
👉 Would I Go Back?
Absolutely.
Between the well-cooked brick-oven pizza, the unique flavor of the green olives, the outstanding homemade buttermilk ranch, and the welcoming atmosphere, Back Draughts delivered a very enjoyable lunch.
The service was excellent, and there’s still plenty on the menu I’d like to try.
That’s always a good sign that a restaurant is worth another visit.
📍 Restaurant Information
Restaurant: Back Draughts
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Cuisine: Pizza, Bar & Grill, American Fare
Price Range: $$-$$$
Foodie Mob Price Guide
$ = Most menu items under $15
$$ = Most menu items between $15-$25
$$$ = Most menu items between $25-$40
$$$$ = Fine Dining / Special Occasion Dining
Best For: Pizza, Casual Dining, Sports Watching, and Family Gatherings
Foodie Mob Tip: Don’t skip the Fried Pickle Fries. The homemade buttermilk ranch is worth ordering on its own.
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