A sneak peek at Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
Artisan pizza, ice cold craft beer and gourmet cinnamon rolls are coming to Memphis’ Edge District.
The Nashville-based Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria will open Wednesday at 634 Union Ave. The restaurant has been in the works since 2018.
Clint Gray, who owns the pizza chain with Derrick Moore and Emanuel Reed, said they have wanted a Memphis restaurant for some time now.
“Memphis is very important to us, it’s the city closest to our brand outside of Nashville,” said Gray, who explained all three owners have friends and family here.
“Memphis was supposed to be our third restaurant,” Gray said. “But because of the age of the building and then COVID, it has taken longer than it was supposed to.”
When the Memphis location opens this week, it will be the pizza chain’s seventh location.
The eats
Founded in 2017, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria is a fast casual, gourmet pizza joint serving up artisan pizzas and unique cinnamon rolls made with locally sourced ingredients.
The artisan-pizzas are one-of-akind, as well as the source of the pizzeria’s name. Each oblong-shaped pizza comes in a personal size — the 10-inch “Slim” or the 16-inch “Husky.” “They both are the same width, but the husky is for those a little more hungry,” Gray said.
All ingredients are prepped and made fresh daily — including the pizza dough, the signature sauces and the company’s proprietary four-cheese cheese blend.
“Each pizza has its own personality,” said Gray. Customers can choose from one of the eight signature pizzas or create their own from a list of five housemade pizza sauces and seven finishing “drizzles.”
The most popular pizza is the Rony, Roni, Rone! This pepperoni pizza comes with three types of pepperoni: pork pepperoni, beef pepperoni and diced spiced pepperoni. It normally comes with a red sauce, but Gray said he orders it with the white sauce.
Gray said they have invested in pizza ovens that allow them to cook pizzas quickly. “Our process is quick, but not lacking in quality.” he said. “Our menu is designed to cater to a large lunch or to handle a large volume of takeout orders.”
After enjoying your pizza, save room for dessert. Slim & Husky’s is also well known for its gourmet cinnamon rolls.
In addition to a more traditional “OG House Roll” with brown sugar sauce and cream cheese, the menu also features over-the-top offerings like the “Cookie Monsta” with white chocolate sauce and Oreo and peanut butter crumbles and the “Sticky Fingaz” with caramel sauce, hickory-smoked bacon, 1856 Uncle Nearest Whiskey and glazed pecans.
“We are one of the only pizzerias with an executive chef,” Gray added about the creative, artisan menu.
Craft beers and frozen alcoholic specialties will be offered in the coming weeks.
On a side note, just last week Slim & Husky’s partnered with online store Goldbelly to ship frozen pizzas nationwide.
Hip hop, art and the community
Each Slim & Husky’s location is constructed with community top of mind.
The owners say the aim of the business is to invigorate less-touched areas of the community through employment opportunities and accessible dining experiences, including locally brewed craft beer and innovative pizza creations.
“Our mantra is P.R.E.A.M. — Pizza Rules Everything Around Me,” said Gray, explaining that it is a play on the Wu-tang Clan’s song “C.R.E.A.M.” about how cash rules everything.
According to Gray, the strategy for each restaurant begins with a plan to provide jobs, training and other development opportunities within the community.
Their commitment to the Memphis community began at the start as Slim & Husky’s hired minority contractors Fifer & Associates, Anderson Contractors and architectural firm Moody Nolan to restore the 95-year-old building. A job fair was also held to employ Memphians to fill various restaurant positions. Supporting the Memphis community is a priority.
On Sunday, Slim & Husky’s partnered with Shelby County Schools to provide free pizza for 600 school teachers. “We value education and our educators,” said Gray, adding that Memphis should expect to see more social initiatives.
In addition to pizza, Slim & Husky’s Memphis will showcase the work of Tennessee artists Toonky Berry, Xpayne, Alexis Miche’ and Jamond Bullock (Alive Paint).
Plans are underway to open the restaurant’s upper level as an art gallery and event space in 2021.
Hip hop and R&B classics create the vibe that makes a Slim & Husky’s a fun place to dine.
Slim & Husky’s hours of operation will be noon-9 p.m. every day. Hours will be extended once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. To-go orders can be placed online at slimandhuskys.com.