This is fourth in a series of Purchased Pizzas & Interesting Post Offices in Florida from last season’s visit. As with the last post, I continue in Central Florida.
Table of Contents
Nebalatan Word of the Day
Scustumad’ (pronounced – skoo-stoo-MAAD – stupid, crazy person (likely Italian word – scostumato)
- Used in context with Dad (Grandpa Tony) & Ma (Grandma Joanne)
- Dad – “Michael, did you pee all over the bacouz (to be defined in next blog post)“
- Me – “No, I have good aim”
- Ma – “Michael, you have the aim of that scustumad Giovan (pronounced Jo-whan, a real person, the neighborhood drunk, might’ve been a relative)!”
Scustumad is another word that has similar meaning about “crazies” like Stunad (a few posts ago)
Bartow, FL Post Office
I biked past the Bartow PO in Central Florida farm county. It is cool! The Bartow, FL PO predates the Works Progress Administration (WPA) since it’s cornerston shows 1917, but James Wetmore’s architectural design sets up a blueprint for future WPA PO designs.
The portico and columns are fabulous and really create a nice white contrast with the red brick.
This Post Office also has indications that it has a right-hand addition to the building. As mentioned in the previous post, Wetmore’s designs were symmetric. So, likely the original design are the four windows on the left and the portico. The off-color brick to the right is a telltale sign of an addition.
Many of the internal design elements (rounded windows, transoms, ornate woodwork) are reminiscent of that period and found throughout the USA. Unfortunately, it seems that the oak interior work has been painted.
Tony’s Pizzeria (website)- Sebring, FL – 1/26/23
Full Purchased Pizza Table of 93 Pizzeria Reviews (click here).
| Style | Rating | Go Back? | Dough | Sauce | Cheese | Presentation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Good | Yes | Nice NY Style Bake, but lacked crispness, a little soggy, maybe from reheated cheese oils seeping into crust, | Good | Good cover | Paper plate, but nice to be able to buy a slice versus a whole pizza | Great Place to end a bike ride, not much for looks (old diner or Dairy Queen), great size slice at decent price |
The 2nd day of my January Central, FL ride was from our campground west of Sebring to the town of Lake Placid, FL which is south and then back to Sebring. I planned to end my ride at Tony’s Pizzeria which is just outside of downtown Sebring.
Tony’s Pizzeria, a quirky New York-style joint. The place might not win awards for looks. I think it’s a repurposed old diner or has Dairy Queen vibes.
I ordered a slice, and it arrived on a flimsy paper plate. Plates might not be their priority, but taste is! The dough had that authentic NY-style bake, but it was a bit damp, probably from cheese oils seeping into the crust since it was a reheated slice that sat around after the initial bake before reheating.
Despite the sogginess, the sauce and cheese combo nailed a nice balance of sweet sauce and sharp cheese.
Well, the verdict: Good, but not great. The dough had a NY-style bake, but it got a bit soggy—cheese oils must’ve been reheating in there!
Despite its appearance, Tony’s serves a fantastic-sized slice at a sweet price, perfect for ending a bike ride or a cruise in your convertible. So, if you’re seeking pizza perfection, maybe look elsewhere. But for a tasty adventure, Tony’s Pizzeria is your spot! 🍕🚲
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