It’s not every day that a small Tulsa pizzeria opens a branch in Abu Dhabi. But Lori Walderich, owner of Top That! Pizza, dreams big. After all, she says, “pizza is a universal food.”
On a recent night in Tulsa, excited children, their parents in tow, clustered around the counter watching their pizza being made. They chose the crust, the sauce, the toppings. At each step, they were in charge and they loved it. Then some older diners walked in. One ordered a pizza with Italian White dough, Sweet Roma tomato sauce, fresh spinach leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, Siegi’s Chorizo sausage, Polish sausage and hot links; caramelized onions, roasted garlic, fresh mushrooms, gorgonzola, grated Pecorino Romano, sharp Cheddar and artichokes. The ingredients: fresh and local. The price: $6.99.
The Abu Dhabi franchise is currently under construction. Closer to home, plans are in the works to open franchises in Colorado, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas. But you’d never know that if you step inside the original Tulsa store. You’ll be met with the hallmarks of a small local business: friendly service and good food. Multiple locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. www.topthatpizza.com
