Grimaldi's Pizzeria in South Carolina: Coal-Fired Pizza and Brooklyn Roots

What Grimaldi's Offers and Where to Find It

Grimaldi's Pizzeria operates one location in South Carolina at The Outlets of Charleston in Goose Creek, about 30 minutes north of downtown Charleston. The restaurant is known for coal-fired brick-oven pizza made with a recipe that traces back to Grimaldi's original location in Brooklyn, New York, which opened in 1941. The coal oven reaches temperatures that allow the pizza to cook in roughly 90 seconds, creating a crust that is charred on the outside and soft inside.

The menu centers on classic New York–style pies. The signature pizza is the regular cheese, which comes with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and olive oil. Beyond that, Grimaldi's offers specialty pizzas with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, fresh basil, and roasted garlic. The restaurant also serves calzones, salads, and appetizers like mozzarella sticks and garlic knots. Beverages include beer, wine, and soft drinks.

The Goose Creek location opened in 2019 as part of Grimaldi's expansion beyond New York. The dining room has a casual, brick-and-wood interior that echoes the Brooklyn original, with an open kitchen where you can watch the pizza makers work. Seating is available indoors and, weather permitting, on an outdoor patio.

Key Takeaways

• Grimaldi's uses a coal-fired brick oven that cooks pizza in about 90 seconds, creating a charred crust with a soft interior.
• The South Carolina location is at The Outlets of Charleston in Goose Creek, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Charleston.
• The menu focuses on New York–style pizza with fresh mozzarella and simple toppings, plus calzones, salads, and appetizers.
• The restaurant has a casual, open-kitchen design where diners can see the pizza-making process from their tables.

The Coal-Fired Oven and How It Shapes the Pizza

The coal-fired brick oven is central to what makes Grimaldi's pizza distinct. Coal burns hotter and faster than wood, allowing the oven to maintain a consistent temperature above 800 degrees Fahrenheit. At that heat, a pizza dough ball goes from raw to finished in roughly 90 seconds. The intense, direct heat creates a thin, crispy crust with charred spots and a slight smokiness that you cannot replicate in a conventional oven.

The speed of cooking means the toppings do not dry out or overcook. Fresh mozzarella stays creamy, and vegetables retain some texture. This is why Grimaldi's keeps the ingredient list short—the quality of each component matters more than the number of them. The tomato sauce is made in-house, and the olive oil is a core flavor, not an afterthought.

If you have never eaten coal-fired pizza, the crust will likely feel different from what you expect. It is thinner and crispier than a typical delivery pizza, and it has a slight char that some people love immediately and others need to try once or twice to appreciate. The restaurant is worth visiting specifically to experience this style.

Menu Highlights and What to Order

The regular cheese pizza is the best entry point. It lets you taste the crust, sauce, and mozzarella without distraction. If you want to add toppings, the pepperoni is a reliable choice—it curls slightly in the oven heat and develops crispy edges. The sausage pizza uses Italian sausage that is crumbled and distributed across the pie.

For something different, the fresh basil pizza comes with basil added after the pizza leaves the oven, so it stays bright and aromatic rather than wilting into the crust. The roasted garlic pizza appeals to garlic lovers; the cloves soften and sweeten in the oven. Calzones are available with similar filling options and arrive folded and sealed, with sauce on the side for dipping.

Appetizers like garlic knots—small, knotted pieces of dough brushed with garlic and oil—are worth ordering if you are sharing a meal or want something while you wait for pizza. Mozzarella sticks are fried and come with marinara. Salads are simple, usually featuring greens, tomato, and cheese with a choice of dressing.

Hours, Parking, and Getting There

Grimaldi's is located at The Outlets of Charleston, 4414 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Goose Creek, SC 29445. The restaurant is part of an outlet mall, so parking is free and plentiful. From downtown Charleston, take I-26 north toward Summerville; the outlet mall is clearly marked and accessible from the interstate. The drive is roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point in Charleston.

Hours vary by season and day. The restaurant is typically open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, but it is worth checking their website or calling ahead before making the trip, especially on holidays or during off-season months. The outlet mall itself has other shops and restaurants, so you can make a longer outing of the visit if you wish.

The restaurant can get busy during peak lunch and dinner hours, particularly on weekends. If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting on a weekday afternoon or early evening may mean shorter waits. During very busy periods, there can be a line to order, though the fast cook time means tables turn over quickly.

How Grimaldi's Fits Into Charleston's Pizza Scene

Charleston has a growing number of pizzerias, from casual neighborhood spots to upscale restaurants with wood-fired ovens. Grimaldi's brings a specific style—New York coal-fired pizza—that is less common in the Lowcountry than wood-fired Neapolitan or thin-crust New York pizza made in conventional ovens. The Brooklyn heritage and the 80-year history of the original restaurant give it a different identity than newer local pizzerias.

For visitors from the Northeast or people familiar with New York pizza, Grimaldi's offers something recognizable and authentic. For Charleston residents and visitors new to coal-fired pizza, it is a chance to try a regional American pizza style that has its own following. The Goose Creek location makes it accessible to people in the greater Charleston area without requiring a trip into the city center.

What to Expect on Your Visit

When you arrive, you will order at a counter and pay before you sit down. This is typical for casual pizzerias and keeps the process simple. You receive a number, and your pizza is brought to your table when it is ready. The open kitchen means you can watch the pizza makers stretch dough, top pies, and slide them into the oven on a long wooden peel.

The dining room has a casual, no-frills atmosphere. Tables are close together, and the space can feel lively and loud during busy times. This is part of the experience—it feels like a working pizzeria, not a formal restaurant. If you prefer quieter surroundings, visiting during slower hours will give you a more relaxed meal.

Portions are generous. A regular pizza is large enough for two to three people, depending on appetite. If you are dining alone, you can order a half pizza or a single slice if available. Prices are moderate for the quality and portion size, though coal-fired pizzerias are typically more expensive than chain pizza delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order Grimaldi's pizza for delivery?

Grimaldi's does not offer delivery from the Goose Creek location. You must visit the restaurant in person to order and eat there. This is common for coal-fired pizzerias because the pizza quality declines significantly during transport, and the oven-to-table speed is part of the appeal.

Does Grimaldi's have vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. The cheese pizza is vegetarian. You can also order pizzas with vegetable toppings like fresh basil, roasted garlic, or other vegetables depending on what is available. For vegan options, ask the staff whether they can make a pizza without cheese or with a dairy-free alternative, though availability may vary.

Is there a kids menu?

Grimaldi's does not have a formal kids menu, but you can order a smaller portion or half pizza. Children often enjoy the simple cheese pizza or pepperoni. The casual atmosphere is family-friendly, and the fast cook time means minimal wait for hungry kids.

What is the difference between Grimaldi's coal-fired pizza and wood-fired pizza?

Coal burns hotter and more consistently than wood, allowing for a faster cook time and a thinner, crispier crust. Wood-fired ovens, common in Neapolitan-style pizzerias, cook at high heat too but produce a different crust texture and flavor profile. Both are legitimate styles; Grimaldi's specializes in the coal-fired New York approach.

Do I need a reservation?

Grimaldi's operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not take reservations. During peak hours, there may be a wait to order, but the line typically moves quickly. Visiting during off-peak times—weekday afternoons or early evenings—usually means no wait.