Nestled in the corner of Lappin Park in Salem, MA, behind the famous statue of Elizabeth Montgomery, lies Flying Saucer Pizza Company. Known for their sci-fi-themed decor and menu with dishes named after popular heroes across the galaxy, the restaurant, located at 118 Washington Street, takes the traditional pizza experience to another dimension.
When the previous pizzeria closed next door to Flying Saucer Pizza Company’s sister restaurant, Gulu-Gulu cafe, the owner, Steven Feldmann, took off with the idea of creating a pizza place combined with his love for sci-fi. Feldmann’s own sci-fi memorabilia fills out the interior, with one of the most popular items being a full-size Locutus of Borg statue from Star Trek. In fact, the cyborg-likeness of Captain Picard is so popular, he often finds his way into selfies and might make an appearance at an upcoming wedding that Flying Saucer Pizza Company is catering.
The restaurant is a lively atmosphere and if you come during the Halloween season, you may feel slightly like you’ve come to the Mos Eisley alien-laden cantina in Star Wars Episode IV. Patrons and staff don costumes–or at the very least, give a subtle nod with a pop culture t-shirt. As you sit, take a look at the miniature spaceships suspended from the ceiling and the television above the bar playing sci-fi films. “A lot of the very interesting [memorabilia] are very subtle,” says Mandi Marcotte, Flying Saucer Pizza Company’s Manager. “Floating around the restaurant are actual autographs that I personally got at Comic Con,” she adds. Some of these include recognizable sci-fi stars like Michelle Nicholas, Peter Mayhew, William Shatner, and Gillian Anderson. There is also an unverified Leonard Nimoy autograph that mysteriously appeared in the restaurant. “It was just on the back of this record that was hanging up in the restaurant. We just flipped it over one day and we were like, ‘whoa!’” Marcotte says.
The restaurant also features a large chalkboard bearing the slice of the day with intricate, detailed artwork of popular characters–some of which even make appearances on the menu. Their website states they aim “[to] abduct traditional pizza and take over Salem with a quirky and delicious pizza experience,” and by looking at their menu, they certainly deliver. They take pride in their unique flavor-packed recipes and each morning, the pizza dough is made by hand. Two of their quirkiest pizzas are the “Nick Fury” and the “Admiral Ackbar.” “’The Nick Fury’ is a buffalo chicken mac n’ cheese pizza and the ‘Admiral Ackbar’ is a clam chowder base…it’s almost like a bread bowl,” says Marcotte. Familiar names like “Silurian,” “Thor,” “Emma Frost,” “Stormtrooper Commander,” and “Space Invaders” make up some of the other delectable pizza offerings. The “Mars Attacks,” featuring fresh burrata and meatballs, was the 2nd Place Regional Winner at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. The menu also features gluten-free and vegan options, including two desserts: “Groot,” a gluten-free brownie sundae and “Morty Smith,” a gluten-free and vegan lemon loaf made by local Salem baker, Jodi Bee Bakes.
Flying Saucer Pizza Company loves to “geek” out, but you don’t have to be familiar with all the ways of the Jedi to come in for a great slice of gourmet pizza. Although, if you’re looking for all things “nerdvana,” Monday nights play host to an ongoing popular Nerd Trivia game. “That has a pretty good following. The restaurant usually fills up on Monday nights,” says Marcotte. The pizzeria also participated in the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival, as well as other local events.
Sometimes their special events take place in conjunction with various new film releases. On Thursday, November 8, 2016, Flying Saucer Pizza is holding Rogue One: A Night Shift Story, in partnership with Night Shift Brewing to celebrate the new Star Wars story, Rogue One. For one night, the Lando, a blast-from-the-past dessert pizza with Nutella, bananas, and toasted coconut returns and the original Star Wars trilogy will be played in the restaurant.
When looking for great food in Salem, don’t hesitate to get “beamed up” for an out-of-this-world dining experience at Flying Saucer Pizza Company.
For more information visit Flying Saucer Pizza Company’s website here.
Originally featured in Wordsby Arts & Culture News.
Leave a Reply