Diane Poole
Randall Norman of Pinchgut Pies
Randall Norman of Pinchgut Pies.
Tucked into the heart of the Trussville entertainment district, Pinchgut Pies has become a local favorite for families, concertgoers and anyone craving quality pizza in a fun, casual setting. The Cahaba Sun spoke with Operations Manager Randall Norman about the restaurant and what makes it unique.
Q: How would you describe Pinchgut Pies to someone who’s never visited before?
A: I’d describe it as a fun, casual pizza spot with a great vibe. We do pizza in more of a Neapolitan style, and it’s a relaxed, family-friendly place where kids are welcome. We’ve got good pizza, pasta, great drink selections and pricing that’s very reasonable compared to a lot of places in the area. It’s just a good spot to grab a pizza, a domestic beer or a specialty cocktail and hang out.
Q: The name “Pinchgut” comes from Pinchgut Creek, but why did the restaurant end up with that name?
A: That decision was actually made before I came on board. The owner, Coby Lake, wanted to incorporate Pinchgut Creek somehow since it runs right behind the property and is such a unique part of this area. There was a lot of back and forth — names like Pinchgut Pizza Company or just Pinchgut were on the table — but eventually he landed on Pinchgut Pies. At first it confused some people who weren’t familiar with Pinchgut Creek, but over time the name has really grown on the community.
Q: What makes your pizza menu unique compared to others in the area?
A: We do all the classic favorites — pepperoni, cheese, supremes — because that’s what people love and expect. But we also like to have fun with the menu. We’ve done some pretty wild specialty pizzas over the years and still rotate some of those in as limited-time offerings for our regulars. Our style is a kind of hybrid Neapolitan approach, using more modern ovens rather than traditional wood-fired ones. Almost everything is made from scratch: the dough, the sauce, roasted vegetables and proteins are all done in house. The only thing we don’t make is the mozzarella. Our focus is quality, consistency and putting out a really good, memorable pizza.
Q: What are your most popular pizzas, and which one is your personal favorite?
A: Across the board, pepperoni is still the No. 1 seller — just like at almost every pizza place. As far as our specialty pizzas, the two most popular are the Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Gator Bait, which is topped with alligator sausage. Those two battle it out for the top spot, depending on the season and the crowd. My personal favorite of the specialty pizzas is definitely the Gator Bait.
Q: What do customers tell you they love most about Pinchgut Pies?
A: The thing I hear most often is how much they love the staff and the casual atmosphere. We have a lot of bar regulars who come just to sit, talk to our bartenders and feel like part of the family. People also really appreciate that we’re affordable — especially families. They can bring the kids, let them play games, enjoy good pizza and cold domestics, and not feel like they’ve blown their budget. That combination of friendly service, laid-back vibe and fair pricing is what keeps people coming back.
