Hot demand for pizzeria
A southern Gold Coast pizza shop has proved so wildly popular its owners have had no choice but to open a second restaurant.
Franc Jrs Pizzeria owners Anthony Pattinson, Claudia Pattinson, James Young and Carlos Lara revealed their latest venue at Nobby Beach on January 4. Mr Pattinson said it was a long time coming after the popularity of the original Coolangatta store – which opened in 2017 – “got out of hand”.
“Wait times can get out of hand in Coolangatta,” he said.
“Sometimes you would arrive at 5.15pm and only 15 minutes after opening you would be No.63 on the list.
“While that’s fun and very flattering for us, it’s not sustainable.
“So the second shop was inevitable and what people deserved.”
Mr Pattinson said they chose Nobby Beach – also home to the hyped new Oxley precinct – because it was “the perfect neighbourhood”.
“We like to think of ourselves as a neighbourhood pizzeria and Nobbys still has that local feel. A little grimy and very real.”
Mr Pattinson said they were confident their business would make it through light-rail construction currently plaguing the dining and retail strip.
“I hate the construction side of (light rail), but I love the idea that you could have dinner up and down the coast and have a shandy at each stop along the way when it’s complete,” he said.
Mr Pattinson said their Detroit Style pizza would “change your life”.
“It’s a take on a Sicilian style pizza,” he said.
Mr Pattinson said the Orange Stripe pizza was his favourite, but locals loved the cheese pies.
“(The cheese pies) are 16 inches of the best dough, the best tomato sauce and our cheese blend that has six different cheeses.”
Frozen margaritas were another crowd favourite.
Mr Pattinson said the old-school 1940s ItalianAmerican style space was designed with locals in mind.
“The place was made to be enjoyed,” he said.