There’s often much hearty debate about where serves the very best pizza Leeds has to offer. Understandable when you think about the quality selection we are blessed with in the city.
Well, new opening Rudy’s has not only earnt itself a place in the discussion of Leeds’ best pizzerias, it is also in the running for a gong at the National Pizza Awards 2022. A team from the company, which also has a restaurant in Leeds city centre as well as others across the UK, will send chefs to compete against other restaurants, street food stalls and pop-ups at a swish event happening in London later this year.
In the summer, Rudy’s, which has grown in size and stature in recent years, launched their second Leeds restaurant in the stylish Chapel Allerton suburb. The team are based in the former Casa Mia unit and have renovated the restaurant to give it a very distinct Rudy’s vibe - there's lots of stripped-back indie chic going on.
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For those unfamiliar with Rudy’s, Inspired by heritage in Naples, their dough is made each day, taking 24 hours to double ferment and just 60 seconds to cook. Their pizzas regularly feature on culinary lists celebrating the best the world has to offer - so their latest nod shouldn’t come as a great surprise.
But still, worth putting to the test, all the same? I ventured to Rudy’s Chapel A on a Thursday evening after work with my dad. For those who don’t know and have wisely avoided my food reviews previously my dad is Mr No Thrills when it comes to food - so to save the suspense he ordered a Margherita.
And, in fairness, although it might be basic there’s still a lot of worth in assessing it because if an Italian can’t get that right it doesn’t offer a solid base for much else. Much like a Tarantino movie narrative, we’ll put the conclusion of the Margherita verdict to one side for now and take things back to the start.
I opened with the burrata (£6.90) which consisted of a huge creamy mozzarella cheese complimented by crispy bread and ripe cherry tomatoes. It was a lovely refreshing start to the dining experience and didn’t feel too heavy or off-putting for the pizza coming later.
Other starter choices on the menu include campana, Caesar salad and the signature Rudy’s garlic bread. The latter is pretty mammoth so we didn’t fancy one of those ahead of the restaurant’s sizable pizzas.
To keep himself match fit for his main, my dad skipped a starter. When it did arrive, he was absolutely delighted. For all of its simplicities, the Rudy’s Margherita (£7.95) was still a work of art to my father and ranks among the very best he’s ever had. Layered with just the right amount of cheese and having a rich tomato sauce covering the soft dough base.
At Rudy’s, you have a wide selection of established pizzas such as calabrese, parmigiana and the highly-praised Francesco. While, they also give you an option of customising your pizza which is an option I went for, loading mine with sundried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and roast potatoes (£10.95). I appreciate the latter is an interesting extra.
The additions vary in cost but you can load up on additional cheeses, veggies, meat and oil. Quite simply, the pizza was a delight with the new Rudy’s being a welcome addition to the dining options in Chapel Allerton. It is very apparent why the company has grown so quickly since 2015 and the regular praise it receives.
Despite Rudy’s now arguably being a chain it does manage to still have that feel of an independent. Ably helped in no same part because of the Chapel Allerton’s branch attentive staff.
During our visit, we were served by Ari, who talked us through the menu and brought us a little humour along the way. Not least, when my dad opted for an adventurous vanilla ice cream (£4) for a dessert. I finished the evening with the chocolate tartufo (£4) and was full to burst by the end of our visit.
Chucking in a couple of drinks, also, the bill came to a pretty respectable price of £44 and it is safe to say Rudy’s delivers some of the best pizza in the UK. Good luck in the national finals, not that you’ll need it…
The bill
Blood orange mimosa - £7.30
Pepsi - £3
Margherita - £7.95
Customised pizza - £10.95
Chocolate tartufo - £4
Ice cream - £4
Total: £44
Rudy's, 10-12 Stainbeck Ln, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3QY
To book a table call 0113 511 8676 or visit their website.
To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
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