Holy City Pizzeria (HCP) is Citadel Mall’s latest addition to the reinvention of mall food. HCP won the Charleston edition of The Food Network’s new show Food Court Wars, hosted by Tyler Florence.
HCP is the creation of 20-somethings Christopher “Topher” Pecora and Kacie Faulling. The engaged couple met three years ago at the College of Charleston while both were studying business. In choosing a name for their dream restaurant, it was a natural fit to name it after the city where their relationship began.
Faulling, who also holds a degree from the Paul Mitchell School and owns the local company Lashes & Lace Bridal Hair & Makeup, learned that Food Court Wars was seeking contestants while looking for local movie sets seeking makeup artists. Knowing that ultimately she and Topher wanted a restaurant of their own, she applied.
Pecora, who admits to being camera shy, says it took some convincing to get on board with this whole television thing. Given a massive scope of applicants, though, the couple assumed they probably wouldn’t be picked and put it behind them.
But round after round, they were notified they had made the cut. By round four, it was clear this was really happening — they were among the final contestants being vetted. Their competitors for the Charleston show were Charleston Gourmet Burgers, another local entrepreneur couple looking to take their business to the next level.
While the secret may be in the sauce (or crust), being a restaurateur is in Pecora’s blood. His father Phil owns Toffino’s Italian Bakery and Deli, a Myrtle Beach institution for 21 years. Pecora and Faulling were working at his father’s restaurant up until filming began for the show, which was taped in June but did not air until Aug. 11. Pecora says it wasn’t easy keeping their win a secret.
For those who saw the show, Pecora and Faulling say it was not a television stunt, that their oven really did break down in that final episode. Thankfully, Phil’s quick thinking and local contacts saved the day and they ended up selling $2,212.00 in pizza. And the rest is history.
It would take two weeks for the oven to be fixed, and this same oven stands right behind the counter today in the Citadel Mall’s Food Court where, as their grand prize, they won free rent for one year.
So what are the winning recipes HCP has in store for their patrons? Pecora says it all starts with the best ingredients and making the dough fresh every day, but by letting it rest (or proof) the yeast can ferment prior to baking. It’s not surprising that the Facebook and Urbanspoon comments are overwhelmingly positive: HCP’s pie is fresh and filling, not bloating or greasy.
HCP pizza is available by a large slice or 18” whole pie, for eat-in or carryout. Patrons can pick from classic cheese, classic pepperoni, three daily specialty pizzas, which have included Meat Lovers, Chicken Alfredo, Margherita (tomato, basil, and mozzarella), Chicken Bacon Ranch, Philly Cheesesteak, and Broad Street White, or, Build-Your Own, with a wide variety of meats, vegetables, and cheeses to choose from. Specialty pizzas are announced on Facebook
Other menu items include garden, chopped Italian, and antipasto salads; spaghetti, a pasta of the day, calzones; and must-try homemade Italian pastries like cannolis.
Pecora and Faulling are enjoying getting to know the regulars and the surrounding neighborhood. Early morning means seeing mallwalkers while baking pastries and making dough. By lunch, hungry mall employees and workers at surrounding businesses are dropping by. Later in the day, parents are calling in a pizza to take home to their family.
 
Holy City Pizzeria is located insisde the Food Court at the Citadel Mall. It is open seven days a week. For more information call 769-4909 or visit holycitypizzeria.com.

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