Top Rated Local® is pleased to announce that Tortugas Pizza is a 2019 award winner for restaurants in Alabama!
If you’re looking for mouth-watering eats in Birmingham, look no further than Tortugas Pizza.
Tortugas Pizza has received hundreds of reviews on four verified sites with an average rating of 4.64 stars, earning them a stellar Rating Score™ of 94.40 and a 2019 Top Rated Local award for ranking among the top 10 restaurants in all of Alabama!
Here’s just one of their many five-star reviews:
“I couldn’t believe we discovered this place eight years ago. I grew up in Chicago, and Tortugas solidly fills the pizza jones I get. Be clear, this is STUFFED pizza. The term, ‘deep dish,’ confuses folks. It’s not thick crust. It’s crust first, then goodies and cheese, then another thin crust, and sauce on top. It’s stuffed, get it? If not, just get it. Sooooooo good. They also have traditional thin, which I can’t attest to, but I’m sure is equally amazing. Anyway, if you’ve never had a stuffed pizza, you gotta try this! Be warned, it goes a long way. If you can put away more than two pieces at a time, be sure to hit the gym.This is our first stop when we get off the plane in Bham. I can’t wait until our next visit in March!” – Greg N.
Not Your Average Restaurant
We sat down with Matt Vizcaino, who co-owns Tortugas Pizza with his parents, to find out what makes Tortugas a different kind of restaurant. Here’s what he had to say:
“We’re the only Chicago-style pizza in Birmingham and possibly all of Alabama! Our pizza is authentic. We make our own dough, shred our own cheese, use fresh produce and prepare everything here in-house!”
We also asked Matt why they do what they do at Tortugas Pizza. Here’s his response:
“My parents met making pizza together in Chicago. They have a combined 80 years of restaurant experience under their belts. They moved down here to be closer to my mom’s family back in 1999. I’ve been raised in the restaurant, so when I finished up college at Auburn, I came back to continue the family business.”
Building Success Through Customer Engagement
Matt credits Tortugas Pizza’s strong online reputation to their commitment to customer engagement:
“We put a big emphasis on customer engagement. The manager in charge tries to get to every table to make sure things are going well! It encourages customers to leave good reviews. We never ask for them.”
Outside of building a powerful online reputation, Tortugas Pizza has gotten their name out there by making connections within the community, including with hospitals, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama Power and many other businesses. They also do catering and rely heavily on community involvement. However, according to Matt, their biggest source of growth has been word of mouth.
Matt wanted to recognize the customers and friends of Tortugas Pizza for all of their support:
“It’s an honor to be a part of this community and an honor to be named one of the top restaurants in the state. It’s very flattering and humbling, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without our customers and friends!”
There are many other business owners out there looking to grow their business and build their online reputation. Here’s Matt’s expert advice for those business owners:
“Spend your money wisely! Don’t go after every little thing that comes to you. Put a product out there that you believe in and know is good. Find what you’re good at, and stick with it!”
Congratulations to the team at Tortugas Pizza for being a 2019 Top Rated Local award winner, and thank you so much, Matt, for taking the time to speak with us!
For amazing pizza and a dining experience that’s second to none, we highly recommend Tortugas Pizza in Birmingham. Visit their website today!
