Having had such success with Satchel’s Pizza, I thought I’d hit another pizza place local to Gainesville, Florida. My friend suggested Momo’s Pizza, so I picked him up around 8 p.m. and we headed on over. It’s located directly across from UF in the UF Plaza. Needless to say, parking is nearly nonexistant not much unlike campus itself.
When we finally found a place to park, we wandered to the actual location of the establishment. Climbing a flight of stairs we arrived at our destination after facing south upon reaching the second floor. Upon entry, I noticed various photographs on the walls, random writings on ceiling pillars by patrons, an encouraged activity, televisions in the corners, and some rather uncannily loud music. Orders were to be placed at the counter on right of the entrance.
The offerings were listed on signs suspended from the ceiling. The pizzas were available in a variety of sizes, ranging from a 16″ medium to a 30″ large. Yes, that’s right, 30 inches. My friend and I decided on a medium, with pineapple on one half, and separated by a demilitarized zone, plain cheese on the other. While ordering, several other patrons apologetically bumped into me while refilling their sodas. The soda machine wasn’t 10 feet away from the register where new orders are placed. I found the soda machine placement strategically strange.
To avoid the noise, we chose a table farthest from any speakers. A few bar style counters were available for seating, although that’s really not my thing. Momo’s was surprisingly noisy for fewer than twenty occupants, a fact which I attribute to the need to speak over the music to be heard. I left the table to fill my styrofoam cup, of which there was only one size, with soda. Momo’s carries Pepsi products, but I was pleased to find both Dr. Pepper and some Slice. I learned neither was flat and both were excellent. (I have had some previous bouts of poor soda quality in the past.) While we waited someone brought use metal plates and silverware. Napkins were readily available on the table.
Our pizza arrived in a timely fashion, nice and hot, on a metal platter as you’d expect. The pineapple, however, was cold and dishearteningly thrown about half the pizza, falling off quite easily. It appears it was included as an afterthought. Normally, when one orders pineapple, it’s simply understood that it should be cooked as part of the pizza, not merely added thereafter. My cheese half was unmolested. I’ll eat pepperoni, but that’s about it. I strongly prefer plain, simple cheese.
Finally, time to sample. I noticed pizza was moderately greasy. The handtossed slices parted easily, with little cheesy mess. Upon consumption, I found the cheese itself to be mostly uninspiring. The tomato sauce was more of a bright spot and tasted of basil and what amounts to perhaps slightly too much salt for my tastes, yet strangely refreshingly different. The pizza quantity for the buck is quite high, although you get what you pay for.
After the meal, I noticed there was no place for the tableware, so the dirty plates were simply left at the table as seemed to be the common unspoken course of action by patrons.
I’d say the pizza is distinctively different, and at least worth a shot. The environment was too noisy for me, with only a few people present. I can’t imagine the shouting match on a busy night. You might plan on taking it for carry out to a more enjoyable location. Granted, easier said than done given the extreme inconvenience of driving to the location. Walking is a better bet, if you’re on campus or in the immediate area already on foot. Personally, I’d have the pizza again, but found Momo’s itself an unsuitable environment for a quality dining experience. Your milage will probably vary.
If you’re curious about the menu or location, you can check out Momo’s Pizza Web site.
Update, December 25th, 2006. Momo’s is closed; a new pizza place is there now.