Now Open: Pi 2 Go

Almost without fail, restaurants open well after their projected opening date, usually due to issues involving the dreaded final inspections--Fire, Building, and especially the final, final inspection, the one that both first-time and seasoned owners fear, the big ugly, the one that turns the most arrogant restaurateur into a blubbering, bobble-headed, yes-man--the final Health inspection. That sucker has caused more delays than hail at O'Hare.

But this wasn't the problem at Pi 2 Go --all inspections were signed, all systems were go. The restaurant had been ready to open for several days but had been delayed by...AT&T. Can't open a restaurant without a working phone. So owners Chris Sommers and Frank Uible not-so-patiently waited their turn. All they were told was that Pi was "in the queue." At a soft-opening this evening, we were told the phones had just been activated.

And so it's official. The fourth Pi is officially open for business. The address is 14870 Clayton Rd (at Baxter). The long-awaited phone number is 636-527-5070.

The space is predictably small (except for the kitchen), quietly occupying a bay in the middle of a nondescript strip mall. The owners managed to keep a tight lid on exactly what was being built inside, at one point even posting a red herring in the tightly-papered front window, complete with website: Armadillo Joe's Tex-Mex & Taxidermy.

The menu is a near copy of the other locations--don't worry, all favorites are present and accounted for. The signature Pi in Chesterfield is called the Chesterfield and may be my favorite Pi of all. Atop that signature cornmeal crust and within that signature chunky sauce are kalamata olives, red onions, mushrooms, mozzarella, and the secret ingredient: disguised as thick-cut pepperoni, why it's the spicy salami from hometowner Volpi. Salty, meaty, kicky, delicious. I may never be happy with standard-issue pepperoni again.

Pi 2 Go will be open evenings only until August 23, when they go full-tilt: lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. A beer and wine to-go license is pending and, in my opinion, it requires a beer to fully appreciate the Chesterfield. (Oh, and if you quote me on that last phrase, kindly include the definite article.)