Enjoy a Slice of Life — and Pizza — at a Winder Business

Southern stone pizza and Southern hospitality go hand-in-hand at Dooley’s in Winder.

Located at 137 E. May St., Dooley’s Southern Stone Pizza Kitchen is owned and operated by the Appling family, headed up by parents Keith and Kathy and their son, Chad. Pizza patriarch Keith got his first “taste” of the pizzeria business at the age of 12 when his father, Billy, opened the original Dooley’s Pizza in Sugar Hill in 1969.

Dooley’s of Winder first opened its doors at the railroad depot-inspired eatery in spring 2011 and has been serving up hearty helpings of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, calzones and — of course — pizza ever since.

As the flavorful foundation of its menu, every pizza at Dooley's starts fresh with the restaurant's own trademark "hand tossed" crust made with high-protein flour, spring water and a measure of what is deemed a little "Southern sweetness". The sauce is also made in house using the Appling family’s own recipe. Toppings are delivered each day to ensure quality and freshness, and cheeses are the highest quality available. Each pizza is baked "on the stone" for the perfect texture and taste, but since quality takes time and every pizza is cooked to order, the Applings ask that their patrons sit back, relax and be patient with the promise that their order will be well worth the wait.

Boasting a menu that is as fun to read as it is to sample from — with signature dishes such as Jamaican Me Crazy (a hot sandwich served with jerk chicken, pineapple, provolone and onions), the Tailgater (a pizza topped with a chili base, hot dogs, cheddar, fresh onions and mustard) and the vegetarian-friendly Stairway to Heaven (a pizza with a oil and garlic base topped with provolone, feta, sundried tomatoes and onions) — Dooley’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Daring diners may elect to take the Kitchen Sink Challenge by braving this mammoth creation — a calzone of epic proportions stuffed with 10 different ingredients wrapped in pizza dough. Anyone who finishes it within an hour — all by themselves — will not only have his or her face grace the Facebook wall of fame, that person will also receive bragging rights, a T-shirt and the dish for free.

A one-year anniversary celebration is planned for Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the restaurant. In conjunction with the Cinco de Mayo holiday, Dooley’s will be serving up Mexican-themed specialty pizzas in addition to the full menu, food and drink specials, and family-themed fun with bounce houses and activities for the kids.

To stay up-to-date on the latest Dooley’s Southern Stone Pizza Kitchen news and events (including the latest Kitchen Sink Challengers), be sure to “like” the restaurant on Facebook.

What is your favorite pizza place in Barrow County? What makes it special? Tell us in comments.

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