If you're looking for a fun place to grab a slice with the family—and let’s be honest, that’s what Friday nights are made for—then Grimaldi's in Hoover is the place! From the moment you walk in, the cozy atmosphere and delicious aromas from the coal-fired brick pizza ovens will warm you right up. You’ll hear Frank Sinatra and the like playing through the speakers and see New York photos plastered on the walls, nod to the original Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn. And you’ll taste NYC in every slice—literally. Grimaldi’s makes their dough fresh daily using a water filtration system that re-creates the water in New York. They also burn anthracite coal in their brick ovens and import tomatoes from Italy.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria originated under the Brooklyn Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood more than 100 years ago, with a commitment to traditional coal-fired brick-oven pizza made with fresh ingredients and a hand-tossed “secret recipe” dough. The restaurant is now franchised on those same principles, and Power Brands Hospitality Group opened Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Stadium Trace this past August after noting the success of the Huntsville location. The Hoover Grimaldi’s is just the second one in Alabama. Lead operator Joshua Sullivan previously worked at Taziki’s, Mediterranean Café, and Taco Mama in Gardendale.
The menu is packed with delicious options, but the star of the show is definitely pizza. We opted for the Brooklyn Bridge, which includes roasted red peppers, creamy ricotta, and hand-pinched Italian sausage, and a Quattro Formaggi with mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan, Pecorino-Romano, Gorgonzola, and fresh basil. Both arrived with perfectly crisp-chewy crust and plenty of quality toppings. I didn’t have to cut my daughter’s slice—it was easy to fold and eat! Joshua notes that Grimaldi’s brick ovens, with temperatures from 600 to 650 degrees, make the pizzas perfectly crispy in less than 10 minutes.
In addition to pizzas, Grimaldi’s offers calzones, a variety of salads—the Caprese and Grimaldi’s House Salad with its red onion, roasted sweet peppers, and house vinaigrette were hits with our crew—and and desserts that include housemade cheesecake and New York-style cannolis. Fall offerings include the seasonal Bridge Board (Italian meats and cheeses, antipasto peppers, olives, apples, and walnuts), Italian Blu Salad, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Cheesecake. The full bar serves cocktails, local beers, and Grimaldi’s proprietary Mille Gradi wine brand. There’s plenty of room for large and small parties at tables topped with red-checkered tablecloths and lit by wine bottle chandeliers, a Grimaldi’s signature.
Of note: Grimaldi’s generosity. Since 2020, the business has donated more than $20,000 in gift cards and food to the communities it serves. Under its Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in the Community program, the company contributes to a variety of nonprofits, including No Kid Hungry, an organization that helps fight childhood hunger, and Childhelp, which helps eradicate child abuse and neglect.
Grimaldi's is a fantastic choice for a family meal, with great food and a relaxed vibe, and we can't wait to go back for more!
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is located at 5225 Peridot Place, Suite 121 in Hoover. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, visit grimaldispizzeria.com/location/hoover.