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Corrado's Pizza at Tanger Outlet Center: Wood-Fired Pies in Foley

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What to expect at Corrado's Pizza in the Tanger Outlet Center

Corrado's Pizza operates a wood-fired pizzeria inside the Tanger Outlet Center in Foley, Alabama, just across the state line from South Carolina's coastal region. The restaurant specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a traditional wood-burning oven, with a menu that extends beyond pizza to include salads, appetizers, and Italian entrees. It's positioned as a casual dining spot where you can grab a meal while shopping the outlet mall, with both dine-in seating and takeout available.

The wood-fired oven is the centerpiece of the operation. Pizzas cook quickly at high temperatures, emerging with charred crusts and melted toppings in minutes. The restaurant sources ingredients meant to complement that cooking method—fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and quality cured meats. If you're driving from South Carolina's Lowcountry or Pee Dee region to shop at Tanger, Corrado's sits as a dining option within the same complex, eliminating the need to leave the outlet center for lunch or dinner.

Key Takeaways

  • Corrado's serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas at the Tanger Outlet Center in Foley, Alabama, about 90 minutes from Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
  • The restaurant offers dine-in seating and takeout, making it convenient if you're shopping the outlet mall.
  • Beyond pizza, the menu includes salads, appetizers, and Italian entrees for diners who want something other than wood-fired pies.
  • Prices and specific menu items vary seasonally and by location, so calling ahead or checking their current offerings is wise before making the drive.

Location and hours at Tanger Outlet Center

Corrado's occupies a storefront within the Tanger Outlet Center, located at 2601 South McKenzie Street in Foley, Alabama. The outlet mall itself is roughly 90 minutes from Charleston and about 60 minutes from Myrtle Beach, making it a destination for South Carolinians who combine shopping with a meal. The restaurant sits among the outlet stores, so parking is shared with the mall and typically abundant except during peak holiday shopping periods.

Hours of operation follow the outlet center's schedule, which means the restaurant may close earlier on weekdays and stay open later during weekends and holiday seasons. Before driving from South Carolina, confirm current hours by calling the restaurant directly or checking the Tanger Outlet Center's website, as seasonal adjustments happen regularly. Holiday hours, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, often differ from standard schedules.

Menu highlights and pricing

The core of Corrado's menu centers on wood-fired pizzas with traditional toppings and house specials. Pizzas come in standard sizes, and you can order them with classic combinations like Margherita (mozzarella, tomato, basil) or with proteins like prosciutto, sausage, and pepperoni. The wood-fired cooking method means crusts have a characteristic char and slight smokiness that distinguishes them from conventional oven pizzas.

Beyond pizza, the restaurant typically offers antipasti platters, salads, and hot entrees like pasta dishes and Italian meats. Pricing sits in the casual-dining range—individual pizzas and entrees cost more than chain pizza but less than fine-dining Italian restaurants. Specific prices and current menu items change, so calling ahead or visiting their location in person gives you the most accurate picture of what's available and what it costs on the day you plan to visit.

Dining experience and atmosphere

Corrado's operates as a casual, walk-up-and-order style pizzeria rather than a full-service sit-down restaurant. You order at a counter, pay, and either wait for your food to be prepared or pick it up at a designated time. Dine-in seating is available within the restaurant, though the space is designed for quick turnover rather than lingering. The wood-fired oven is visible from the dining area, so you can watch pizzas cook if you're eating there.

Because it's located in an outlet mall, the atmosphere is informal and family-friendly. Shoppers in casual clothes, families with children, and groups of friends all fit the typical crowd. If you're planning to eat there during peak shopping hours—weekends and holiday periods—expect the restaurant to be busier and potentially have a short wait for seating, though takeout orders may move faster.

Getting there from South Carolina

From Charleston, take US-17 North toward Myrtle Beach, then continue on US-231 North into Foley, Alabama. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes depending on traffic and your exact starting point. From Myrtle Beach, the drive is shorter—about 60 minutes heading west on US-231. GPS navigation to "Tanger Outlet Center, Foley, Alabama" will route you directly to the mall's main entrance.

Parking at Tanger is free and typically easy to find, though spaces near the main entrances fill quickly during peak shopping days. Once parked, Corrado's storefront is accessible from within the outlet center. If you're combining shopping with a meal, you can park once and visit multiple stores and the restaurant without moving your car.

Why wood-fired pizza matters

Wood-fired ovens cook at temperatures around 800 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which means pizzas finish in two to three minutes rather than the 12 to 15 minutes a conventional oven requires. That speed and heat create a crust with a charred exterior and a softer, sometimes slightly smoky interior. The high heat also melts cheese and cooks toppings quickly, so flavors stay distinct rather than blending into a uniform layer.

Neapolitan-style pizza, which originates from Naples, Italy, emphasizes simplicity and quality ingredients. Crusts are typically thinner than American-style pizza, and toppings are used sparingly so the dough, sauce, and cheese remain the stars. If you've had wood-fired pizza before and enjoyed it, Corrado's approach will be familiar. If it's new to you, the experience differs noticeably from chain pizza or conventional pizzeria pies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corrado's a full-service restaurant or counter service?

Corrado's operates as counter service. You order at a counter, pay, and either wait in the dining area or take your order to go. There are no servers taking orders at tables, though dine-in seating is available for customers who want to eat there.

Can I order ahead or do I have to order when I arrive?

Call the restaurant directly to ask about phone orders or advance ordering. Some wood-fired pizzerias take call-ahead orders to reduce wait times, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Calling ahead also lets you confirm current hours and menu availability before making the drive from South Carolina.

What's the difference between wood-fired pizza and regular pizza?

Wood-fired ovens reach much higher temperatures than conventional ovens, cooking pizzas in minutes instead of 12 to 15 minutes. This creates a charred, slightly smoky crust with distinct layers. The high heat also keeps toppings and cheese from overcooking, so flavors stay separate rather than blending together.

Is there parking at Tanger Outlet Center?

Yes, parking is free and typically plentiful. Spaces near main entrances fill quickly during peak shopping days, but additional parking is available throughout the mall. Once parked, you can visit multiple stores and Corrado's without moving your car.

How far is Corrado's from Myrtle Beach and Charleston?

Corrado's is roughly 60 minutes from Myrtle Beach and 90 minutes from Charleston, depending on traffic and your exact starting point. It's a reasonable drive for a shopping trip combined with a meal, though not a casual lunch destination for daily visits from South Carolina's coast.