December 16th, 2011 
Delicious thin-crust pizza topped with fresh ingredients… B.Y.O.B… self-service… sidewalk seating in a neighborhood known for its people-watching…
Iggie’s has been serving up thin-crust pies (similar to Roman style pizza) since it was opened by Lisa Heckman & Peter Wood on Calvert Street in Mount Vernon in 2005.
When you visit, you will see Lisa behind the front counter or walking through the dining room after a morning spent making fresh mozzarella and baking pignoli cookies ($4.50 for a bag of 5 cookies – perfect for sharing with friends after your meal), and Peter, her husband, is the guy working the huge oven, preparing and delivering on silver platters what Iggie’s is known for…
(Customers, beware: Do not attempt to chat with Peter while he’s in oven master mode. There’s a sign posted at the counter reminding you of as much. He is focusing on anywhere from 1 to 8 pizzas baking to perfection, and you wouldn’t want to be the guy or gal responsible for burnt crusts and unhappy patrons!)
From a classic Margherita to their inventive “Pizza of the Month,” Iggie’s has something on their menu for everyone. The Alice, one of my personal favorites, is one of Lisa’s creations from her home kitchen before opening Iggie’s. Basil pesto, their own fresh-made mozzarella, fresh tomato, garlic spinach and two cheeses – goat and parmigiana – make the Alice one of the restaurant’s most popular sellers.
Iggie's Alice Pizza
The Pera Saporita is another at the top of my list: pears, gorgonzola, balsamic reduction, baked to perfection by Peter in Iggie’s gas-fired deck oven.
For the meat lover, I recommend the Diavola, topped with spicy sausage, tomato ragu, four cheeses, hot peppers, and olives.
I should mention that I’ve been to Iggie’s for lunch and dinner more times than I can count, and tried many of their varieties. You really can’t go wrong, and trust me when I say it’s hard to fight the urge to order the same one or two things over and over because they really are that GOOD.
The menu also includes soup, salads, and a delicious antipasto.
Pizzas come in two sizes, small (8 inch) and large (14 inch), and range from $7-$17, respectively. They do not sell pizza by the slice, but fear not: Thin crust pizza is not as filling as other styles, and you will almost certainly end up polishing off at least half of whichever pie you choose.
(My advice: go with a friend and share two pizzas and a salad, and ask for a box to bring home anything you don’t finish!)
Iggie’s has plenty of seating indoors and out (weather permitting), including tables for two, four, and a large communal-style high-top table with stools for bigger groups.
I suggest going early if you’re hungry to avoid a wait. They are generally busy starting Thursday evening and through the weekend, and do not accept reservations…
That said, should you be intimidated by a long line to order or a bustling dining room, Iggie’s offers both Carry Out and a “Take n’ Bake” option that lets you order your pizza and take home to bake for that fresh from-the-oven experience. They do not deliver.
Iggie’s notion of “Pizza with a Purpose” stems from the restaurant’s notion of giving back to and bettering the community they serve.
So, in lieu of paying a wait staff or accepting tips, Iggie’s chooses a different charity each month to donate gratuities to. They choose local charities that work directly with the hungry and homeless of Baltimore as well as groups that protect and promote the adoption of animals.*
December’s charity is Recycled Love, a nonprofit organization that works to rescue animals from abuse, neglect, injury, and abandonment and find them adoptive families. The Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) charity was founded in 2004 and has saved over 1,000 animals… not to mention fostered the adoption process for countless families.
What better way to celebrate a love for pizza and a local charity then with a trip to Iggie’s on Calvert… and don’t forget your favorite six-pack or bottle of red to go with!
WHERE:
Iggie’s
818 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Ph. 410-528-0818
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: Noon – 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 8:00 p.m.
(Closed Mondays)
*You’ll notice many an Italian Greyhound picture throughout the restaurant, including prominent portraits in the dining room and even in the restrooms. “Iggy” is a nickname for this particular breed of dog.
