Drove from Kerrisdale, Vancouver, just to have Steveston Pizza

This was my first experience at Steveston Pizza, although our friends showed us the menu, and raved about the artful presentation of each and every one that Nader personally makes. Why anyone would make the 20 minute drive (40 minutes at rush hour) to Steveston from Vancouver? Today, August 29th, I have to agree, our friends have discovered the best pizza in Metro Vancouver.

When we entered this tiny establishment, we knew by the half dozen young chefs working diligently, but quietly at their stations, and owner Nader applying each pizza order with the freshly prepared ingredients at rapid rate, we were about to be treated to something very special. It wasn't even 6:00 pm and pages of orders were lined neatly in a row beside Nader's preparation table. People, obviously frequent patrons, were coming in at a steady rate picking up their orders, which were stacked by the cash machine. We placed our orders: one large"Canadian," substitute onions with olives and one medium "Margarite Two" and one "Classic Caesar" with anchovies. Nader looked up and asked us to go and walk the boardwalk for about half and hour and our order would be ready. As there are no tables or counters to eat from, I had brought my own plates, forks and knives. We returned, 30 minutes later and our pizzas and salad were on the counter. We crossed the street, set up our plates and cutlery and opened the boxes. The pizzas were too beautiful to eat! I had to take out my camera to capture the moment. No wonder this place is popular! By the time the four of us took our first bite, people were waiting outside, both directions of the street corner. Those who came out with their pizza boxes had that look as if they had just hit the jackpot - wide smiles and yes, the look of anticipation. We were joined by others on neighboring benches. Why are these pizzas so special? First of all, the crust is superb. The toppings, fresh, gently spiced, and each ingredient can be tasted, whether it was the finely chopped back bacon, the mushrooms, the generous sprinkling of green peppers, or the soft green application of basil/arugula pesto over fresh tomato, feta, chicken and bocconcini. Cheese selection is gently applied, not overbearing, and there isn't the heavy-handed shake of a lot of salt that most other pizzas have. We took our time eating each piece, curious to discover each ingredient and after our appetites were satisfied, we had plenty left for another day. None of us had to wash our food with gallons of beverage, because our pizzas were not dripping with oil or drowned in spices. The salad (one order) was generous enough for four of us to share. The bonus? We had a lovely sunset to admire for dessert.