Fetta is Now Open for Business in Owensboro (Review)

I always get excited when I can announce a new restaurant in Kentucky, but I must admit, I get even MORE excited when it’s a restaurant in my own city.  Given the fact that pizza is involved, suffice to say I’m over the moon.

Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits has opened in downtown Owensboro at 118 St. Ann St. (in the exciting and ever-growing riverfront area).

I’d heard great things about Fetta from my youngest daughter (Stephany) and her husband (Rusty). When they joined me and my other two daughters for lunch Friday, it marked their third time eating at Fetta.  One of the owners even recognized them!

Steph and Rusty know their pizza, so their enthusiasm let the rest of us know we were in for great pizza.

When we arrived at Fetta, it was almost noon. Now, 12:00pm on a Friday – at a new restaurant everyone’s excited about – meant one thing: The place was HOPPING like a rabbit on Red Bull.

At first we were told by the hostess we’d have about a 20 minute wait. While we were deciding whether to wait or get carryout to eat by the river, a server came over and said she could clear a table off for us.  We all loved her wildly at that moment.

Allow me to warn you, right off the bat, Fetta is pretty small. Don’t let the picture fool you, the restaurant doesn’t extend upstairs. However, there is a patio out back (you’ll see it in the pictures below), so when the weather’s nice – there’s a lot more space. Also, there is a “walk up window” on the side that’ll soon be functional. You’ll be able to walk up, order your pizza, then take it to one of the many benches or parlor tables on the waterfront.

Of course, if you plan your visit better than we did (seriously, noon on a Friday?), seating probably won’t be an issue for you.  If your party is fairly large, however, be sure you have a plan B in place, just in case.

First Impressions

My first impressions (outside and inside) were fantastic. The brick building is gorgeous – there’s even a handsome cornerstone on the side of the building that’s in keeping with a “downtown” vibe. The scenery is beyond beautiful, thanks to the uncommonly lovely riverfront. There’s a certain buzz in the air now in downtown Owensboro that’s palpable. The electricity from this excitement only adds to the experience.

On the walls inside you’ll see canvas photos of the Riverfront.  These are a really, really, really nice touch.

I also noticed the wonderful aroma right off the bat. Not only was everything spotless and beautiful, it smelled amazing.

Everyone was uncommonly friendly and seemed genuinely thrilled for us to be there – in spite of the fact that they were incredibly busy.  We were treated like we were the only ones there and, let’s face it, that’s pretty rare these days.

Fetta’s Delicious Margaritaville Pizza

Fetta’s Specialty Pizza

Each pizza I’ve eaten and/or sampled from Fetta has been ridiculously delicious. My favorite is the Margaritaville pizza (above), with the White Bean and Sausage (below) right on its tail… and I do mean RIGHT on its tail.

You can order pizza at Fetta by the slice (featured pizzas are $3.50 a slice) or as a whole (featured pizzas are 16″ – $15 or 12″ – $10). There are also salads available, as well as desserts (cookies and cupcakes from Owensboro’s Cup Cakery).  You’ll find the menu in the gallery at the bottom of this review.

The only negative I’ve heard from anyone about Fetta has been the fact that their slices are not as large as you’d expect when ordering by the slice.  They aren’t as large as Sbarro’s slices, for example, and I think Sbarro’s pizza slices are what most people envision when ordering pizza by the slice.

Fortunately, Fetta has an easy solution. If you’re ordering a lunch, simply order a salad with your pizza or their FANTASTIC Garlic Knots as an appetizer. They’re out of this world. They come with your choice of marinara or cheese sauce – but, quite honestly, neither is even necessary. These little guys are fantastic.

Of course, there’s also an obvious solution: Go with at least one other person and order a whole pizza! They’re so delicious, you’ll want as much of it as you can get – including leftovers to take home with you, if you’re lucky.

My only negative experience was a VERY minor one – when I ordered a salad, our server broke the heartbreaking news to me: They don’t carry French dressing. AUGHHH!!!Ã?  I’m annoyingly picky when it comes to salads and salad dressings. French (or it’s “Plan B” version Catalina) is the only one I like, so I simply decided I didn’t want a salad after all.  I know I’m a picky butt, but there you have it. They do have just about every other kind you can name though.

Just not French. Again, the solution is painfully simple: Smuggle in a packet of French if it’s the dressing that floats your boat. I won’t tell on you if you don’t tell on me. Shhhhh…..

HAPPY EDIT: Fetta now has French! I checked with our server the last time we went and he told me the great news. The salad was out of this world – uncommonly delicious… and I got my beloved French dressing. Good on them!

Now on to the heart of the matter. Pizza!

Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits White Bean and Sausage Pizza

The Margaritaville Pizza is so delicious, you’ll eat extra slow to savor each and every bite.  There are so many fresh and beautiful flavors, I couldn’t even begin to describe them all to you.  It is, quite simply, one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. I can only think of one pizza I enjoyed as much as this one – it was another fairly new Kentucky restaurant, Coppertop Brick Oven Pizza in Fredonia, Ky.

Next time I go to Fetta (and believe me there’s be too many “next times” to ever try to count), I’m definitely ordering the largest Margaritaville Pizza they have.

If you’re like us, you always plan extra cool snacks or meals around watching sports on tv – baseball, football, or basketball.  One of Fetta’s Specialty Pizzas would make any special game even more special… whether your team wins or not.

As delicious as the Margaritaville Pizza is, I also have to mention the White Bean and Sausage Pizza. It’s also too delicious for its own good. There’s a bit of a spiciness to it that makes it even better. Now that I think about it, when I order a larger Margaritaville Pizza, I’m going to grab a large White Bean and Sausage Pizza as well.

Wouldn’t want the Margaritaville Pizza to get lonely, now would we?

If you want a Monday Night Football (or a college gameday) your family will talk about for months, here’s all you need to do: Order two Fetta Pizzas to go – one Margaritaville and one White Bean and Sausage.

Believe me, the game will be the second most exciting thing happening.

Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits is located at 118 St. Ann St.  If you park in one of the parking lots at the end of Frederica, then walk toward the Riverfront, you’ll be mere steps from Feta… also known as mere steps from Pizza Heaven.

If you’ve been to Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits, please tell us in the comments which pizza is your favorite. Also, has anyone tried the salads or desserts yet??? Share your thoughts!

EDIT:  3/20/2015 – You may notice there aren’t any new posts, pictures, or reviews about Owensboro’s Fetta. It’s still in downtown Owensboro and I’m sure it’s just as delicious as ever… but I had to stop eating gluten/wheat for health reasons, so I’ve been unable to go back.  Like a lot of other old favorite restaurants, they’re just memories now – but when it comes to Fetta, the memories are excellent!