SeaCrust Pizza – 30a’s New Pizza Choice
Story by Phil Heppding
Seared Ahi tuna, fresh Gulf shrimp, and wood-fired, free-range chicken breast. These items have become staples of the 30a dining scene over the past few years. And now they have made their way to the newest addition to South Walton’s long list of unique eateries- SeaCrust Pizza on Peddler’s Pavilion in Seacrest Beach.
This quaint little spot isn’t just another pizza joint. This endeavor is the realization of a husband and wife team seeking to provide the freshest ingredients for folks looking for a quick bite to eat. Whether you are a road-weary traveler or regular beach bum, Chef Lock can take care of your cravings.
Chef Lock and his wife Cheryl split duties taking orders and serving up hot wood-fired pizza pies and numerous healthy options on the lighter side.
Chef Lock has painstakingly installed and seasoned the wood-fired pizza oven on site. Each week, it might serve triple duty as a pizza oven, a place to roast turkey, or a place to roast chickens for the unique pizza sandwich.
When I stopped by, I was struck by how quickly Chef Lock and Cheryl have become like family on the square in Seacrest. After being open just a few days, word has quickly spread that this is the place you can stop by for a slice of pizza, have a delicious salad and relax as the day goes by.
Being a connoisseur of fine pizza pies the world over, I wanted to try the Seacrust Signature Pie- the Upside Down Pizza. Chef Lock starts with a hand made pizza dough, and adds the cheese first. He let’s that cook for about 3-4 minutes and then adds the pizza sauce on top of the cheese. After another 2 minutes the fresh oregano and ground black pepper are added to complete the creation.
One of my all time biggest pet pizza peeves is cheese and sauce sliding off my slice before I even take a bite. Not to worry here. While Chef Lock serves up a thin-slice version, it sits firm on your plate and palate and doesn’t distract by becoming messy right out of the oven.
Next up I sampled the gulf shrimp salad with mint basil vinaigrette. Heirloom tomatoes, red onion and cucumber provide a fresh crisp bite when married with the mint basil vinaigrette. We might not associate mint with this type of creation but rest assured it works. Next time you stop by, let us know what you think.
Want to check it out? Chef Lock and Cheryl are open six days a week at SeaCrust Pizza on the square (10343 E Co Hwy 30A Seacrest Beach, FL 32413) in Seacrest Beach and they are closed on Saturday. Stop in for a mid-day treat starting at 11AM or cap off your evening with live music on the square and a hot slice of pizza until 9PM. For more information, find and follow them on Facebook at SeaCrust Pizza.
