Step into Pie.Zaa Charlotte NC near Wooden Robot in South End and the first thing you’ll notice is the music (it’s loud), and then the vibes (they’re good), and then the smells (mouthwatering) – all in quick succession. What you’re smelling is classic New York City style pizza. Thin crust, crunchy mouthfeel, and giant slices whipped up by a casual eatery with character and counter service.
Owner Tyler Kotch first opened Pie.Zaa in Asheville in 2020. At the time, he was a medical sales professional with no background in the restaurant business. He put faith in his marketing degree and built a brand that now has a strong following in two cities – Asheville and Charlotte. “Our OG location is in Asheville, NC. We became Asheville’s premier late-night pizza shop, not only for locals, but also visitors. Then, we decided to start expanding the brand,” explains Kaitlyn Burton, Director of Operations. “Charlotte was the best place to do that. It is still close to our headquarters. But also it’s far enough away that our Charlotte family can enjoy our pizza essentially in their backyard.”
Pie.Zaa Pizza
Both Pie.Zaa locations serve four pizzas at any given time: cheese, pepperoni, sausage and garden, and a rotating monthly special. No matter which pie you order, expect high quality ingredients. Pie.Zaa makes anything they can in house, including their dough, marinara, and dipping sauces. Whatever they can’t make in house, they try to obtain locally. For example, Pie.Zaa partners with The Chop Shop in Asheville to make a signature blend of sausage sourced from pigs in the region. Additionally, they partner with Sweet Girl Cookies based in Charlotte to stock giant cookies, the perfect pairing to a giant pizza slice. And, of course, when you’re operating out of Asheville or Charlotte, local craft beer is a must.
The best part about this edgy eatery might be its hours. Pie.Zaa Charlotte NC is open until 1 a.m. every night (2 a.m., in fact, on Fridays and Saturdays). Kotch, who worked late hours in his previous jobs, lamented the dearth of late night dining that actually served good food. With Pie.Zaa, he bridged night owl hours with quality nosh, and he did so with a hyper local focus. Order at the counter or online for lunch, dinner, second dinner, or something in between.
