Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta: Building a pizzeria from the dough up
June 6, 2021
By Pam Windsor
SEAGROVE BEACH – When it comes to local favorites, Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta ranks high on the list.
The family-style Italian restaurant featuring homemade pizza and specialty pasta dishes first opened its doors in February of 1994. Owners Brian and Jan Ethridge got the idea for Angelina’s after reading an article in Entrepreneur Magazine about another husband and wife that opened a successful pizzeria in California.
“I thought, we can do this!” Brian recalls. “So, we started looking at different locations.”
They had already decided on South Walton as a great place to live and raise their daughter, and with only one pizza restaurant in the area at the time, it seemed the perfect spot to open their new business. They also had unique backgrounds that Brian says prepared them well for this type of restaurant.
“Jan went to Johnson & Wales University (for culinary arts and restaurant management), and I worked in pizzerias and restaurants growing up. In fact, I lived behind a pizzeria in New Jersey and that’s where I learned to make pizza.”
“I’d say that’s pretty much the key: making your own ingredients. And we hand-toss all of our pizzas to order.” – Brian Ethridge, co-owner
At Angelina’s, the pizza – and just about everything – is made in-house.
“We make our own dough, we grate our own cheese, and we make our own sauce,” Brian says. “I’d say that’s pretty much the key: making your own ingredients. And we hand-toss all of our pizzas to order.”
While Angelina’s is well-known for pizza, there are many specialty pasta dishes that also keep customers coming back. Like the chicken piccata.
“It’s not like most chicken piccatas,” Brian explains. “We marinate the chicken in Italian dressing and when you do that, and you put it into the flour, it almost creates a batter on the chicken. And when you finish that off with butter and lemon and capers, how can it not be good?”
Lasagna is another popular dish, made here with beef and sausage. Then, there is the Stromboli.
“The Stromboli is to die for,” says Brian with a laugh. “We use a pizza dough, then add provolone cheese, salami, ham, pepperoni, and mozzarella. Then we roll it off, bake it in the oven, and serve that with marinara. It’s really good!”
Along with the expansive food menu, guests can choose from a variety of beverages like Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and more. Beer and wine are also available, and for a little something special, the white sangria comes highly recommended.
Desserts include the classic tiramisu, along with French silk, key lime pie, and others. Specialty coffees are also available.
While carryout is always available, guests choosing to dine-in can enjoy a warm, cozy atmosphere.
“We have the checkered tablecloths, and my wife has an Italian background, so she has her Italian family pictures on the wall. It’s a very home-like environment.”
Nearly three decades after opening its doors, Brian, Jan, and the entire staff at Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta remain dedicated to serving exceptional food and offering a memorable dining experience, every single day.
Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta is located at 4005 E. Co. Hwy. 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. No reservations needed; reach them by phone at 850-231-2500 or online at www.angelinas30a.com. Open seven days a week, Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
