U students often frequent the underground scene in search of pizza.
The Pie Pizzeria is known for serving pizzas across the Salt Lake Valley, but it began in 1980 in front of President’s Circle, hidden underneath the U Pharmacy.
Though the Pie caters to a variety of customers, students seems to be popular clients. The pizza chain even offers a 10 percent discount to current students with their U ID card. Henrik O’Brien, a sophomore in biology, has been a fan of the Pie since before he even considered going to the U.
“I like that it’s downstairs. It has a cool atmosphere in the inside,” O’Brien said.
The Pie is located in a basement with graffiti covering the brick walls, which is what O’Brien prefers about the eatery.
“I like it enough that I always end up there if I’m in the area,” he said. “It’s still just pizza, but because of the atmosphere I prefer to go there if I’m around.”
And O’Brien does not just go there for the atmosphere or the pizza.
“They have really ballin’ cinn-a-parts.” O’Brien said. “Like, really ballin’.”
Kya Perine, a freshman in music, frequents the Pie. She said the Pie’s proximity to campus is especially convenient because of her music classes located on lower campus.
“The people who work there are awesome and now know my name, and even some of my favorite nicknames to use when my actual name just doesn’t feel cool enough,” Perine said. “Most people would say this means I am getting pizza too much, and to those people, I say, ‘The only concerning amount of pizza is zero pizza.’ ”
The Pie offers specialties to ensure that all of their customers tastes are catered to. Vegan items, a completely gluten-free kitchen, and express lunches are all on the menu.
Perine said what the Pie has to offer goes beyond the menu. To her, the Pie captures the essence of college life.
“It’s dark and underground, with the perks of allowed wall vandalism,” she said. “And you always smell like pizza after you leave.”