Pizza of Glasgow: We try Sear's, the latest New York pizza joint in Glasgow's West End

Down on Chancellor Street just off Byres Road there’s a new pizza joint, you’ve no doubt heard of it by now, so we thought we’d share our experience in the new hospitality spot.

From the operators of Ramen Dayo, the long-standing Japanese restaurant in Glasgow’s West End, Sear’s is the brain child of Paul Beveridge, a project years in the making from the hospitality boss inspired by trips to New York in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

Paul partners in this latest venture with the former head of Baked Pizza Al Taglio, Daryl Leach, and Tom Lauckner, co-founder of Glaswegian sandwich institution, Piece. Given the track record of the three hospitality bosses - it comes to us as no surprise that Sear’s has seen such success so quickly.

The interior of Sear’s is a slice of 80s / 90s Americana, with vintage American décor - the stand out decoration being a vintage 80s Pepsi peg letter board stamped with the menu. The name itself comes from American culture too, based off the Sear’s department store.

The exterior was hand painted by the aptly named designer, Pizza Boy, whose recent accolade's include the mural just off the newly constructed Govan-Partick Bridge. We are told a new menu is set to be hand painted in the restaurant by the same artist.

The menu is pretty well put together in its simplicity, you don’t need anything too complex when the dough is proved as well as it is. Currently there are 7 pizzas available on the menu, available in slice form or in an 18 inch pie - with 4 dips too: ranch, Sear’s hot sauce, garlic herb dip, and hot honey. Drinks, or sodas as they’re named on the Americanised menu, are available from a self service drinks fountain.

We’re told the menu is set to expand soon, with the introduction of a rotating special too.

Prices range from £2 to £4 for a slice, and £15 to £22 for an 18 inch pizza. Boss Paul tells us that the menu is meant to compete with lunch deals at neighbourhood supermarkets - and is priced as such, in the hope that students and West End residents will opt for a quick slice on the go rather than a mas produced wrap or sandwich. A combo deal allows for any slice and a soda for £4.50, or two slices for £7.50.

Pizza for lunch might sound a bit much for some Scots - ironic considering the fried meats and greasy pies we often ingest in the AM - but New York-style pizza is a lot lighter than you might expect, and doesn’t sit too heavy in your stomach at all.

When we went down last week around lunchtime the place was buzzing - little room was available in the cosy small cover restaurant, but we managed to bag the only booth by the window.

Word had obviously spread quickly about the new pizza joint in the last month since its opening, as in the 15 minutes we were in the restaurant there was a steady stream of customers popping in for a slice or an entire pie.

We went for a slice and a soda each with two dips, opting for: the Sear’s slice (vodka Sauce, mozzarella, and pesto), a pepperoni slice (pepperoni, tomato sauce, and mozzarella) with two Pepsi Max drinks, a garlic and a ranch dip.

We had no complaints, the atmosphere was busy yet friendly, and the pizza was unlike anything else we’ve had in Glasgow. The pepperoni had just the right amount of spice, the vodka sauce had a great kick especially when paired with the pesto, the crust was crisp around the edge, and soft enough at the bottom to be folded, the proper way to eat a New York pizza.

Definitely get yourself down to Sear’s next time you’re in the West End - it’s affordable for one, an fantastic addition to Glasgow’s pizza scene, and pretty different from everything else you’ll find along Byres Road.