Putting down roots: 100% plant-based pizzeria opens in Jacksonville, more to come

Eating veggies just got a whole lot more fun and tasty, too, with the debut of a first-of-its-kind Jacksonville pizzeria serving a 100% plant-based menu.

Wild Pie, offering innovative pizzas, salads, "Nibbles" and desserts, will celebrate the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar restaurant Friday at 13500 Beach Blvd., No. 36, at Hodges Pointe Plaza in Intracoastal West.

It's the first in Northeast Florida but a second is expected to open near the University of Florida in Gainesville next spring, Bart Ortiz, president of Jacksonville Beach-based Wild Pie LLC, told the Times-Union.

"The plant-based pizza place [concept] seemed wide open, particularly with the growth of pizza in the fast-casual side of things," Ortiz, a veteran restauranteur said of the creation of the brand.

The Jacksonville opening comes nearly a year after Wild Pie took root as a food truck that quickly gained popularity among plant-based aficionados as well as "flexitarians" — those who enjoy both plant-based and meat dishes.

Wild Pie renovated the roughly 2,329-square-foot space formerly occupied by Brucci’s Pizza, which closed a year ago after 15 years in business. The restaurant joins PDQ, Main Squeeze Juice Company, Firehouse Subs and Chipotle Mexican Grill at Hodges Pointe Plaza.

Ortiz said there will be a pizza-making station for kids as well as other fun, family activities plus door prize giveaways, and a sampling program throughout the grand opening.

"With the kids, it's funny because we joke about how Wild Pie is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables because it's pizza. But it just sort of works," he said.

On the menu at Wild Pie

The Wild Pie menu is a combination of nostalgic familiar flavors and unique new ones.

"When we were thinking about the menu, one of the things we knew we wanted to do was have some things that were a little more vegetable-forward and this whole plant-based thing, which is relatively new for people. But we also wanted to make sure that we had some very familiar items on the menu so everybody would have a place to land," he said.

Wild Pie makes its dough daily from scratch and uses fresh veggies on its pizzas. All pizzas are available on an 11- or 14-inch crust. Signature pizzas include:

• Power to the Pesto ($15 for 11-inch, $19 for 14-inch): Housemade creamy garlic sauce, yukon gold potato, mixed wild mushrooms, mozzarella, basil pesto drizzle, feta and chili flakes

• The Meatless Lover ($15 for 11-inch, $19 for 14-inch): Happy Little Plants pepperoni and Italian sausage, Impossible meatballs, house-made red sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and extra virgin olive oil

• Kale Me Maybe ($15 for 11-inch, $19 for 14-inch): House-made creamy garlic sauce, baby kale, marinated artichokes, caramelized onions, mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, red onion, and fresh parsley

• Veg Out ($14 for 11-inch, $18 for 14-inch): Housemade red sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, roasted broccoli, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, roasted cherry tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil

• Rustic Rita ($13 for 11-inch, $17 for 14-inch): Housemade red sauce, roasted cherry tomatoes, dairy-free mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil

They use dairy-free cheese. A gluten-free, 11-inch crust is available for a $2.50 upcharge. Ortiz emphasized although they have gluten-free options, they are not a totally gluten-free kitchen.

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Wild Pie also offers salads such as the Wild Coast ($12) with Romaine lettuce, kale, black beans, avocado, watermelon radish, pickled red onions, cherry tomato, feta, corn nuts and creamy cilantro vinaigrette. Others include the Broccoli Caesar ($11), Chickpea Chop ($12) and Greek Goddess ($12).

Spicy Impossible Meatballs ($12.50) are a customer favorite among the "Nibbles," which also include Roasted Shishito Peppers ($9) and Honey Roasted Miso Brussel Sprouts ($9), Ortiz said.

On the sweeter side, choose from freshly baked salted chocolate chip cookie ($3) and Dark Chocolate Brownie with Rainbow sprinkles ($3.50). In addition, Oat Milk vanilla, chocolate or vanilla/chocolate swirl soft serve ice cream ($4) with a choice of toppings (50 cents each) also is available.

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Food truck roots

Wild Pie began as a "vibrant green" food truck launched in January 2023.

The food truck rollout went well: Wild Pie established a following via popups at several local craft breweries as well as at festivals and neighborhood events throughout Jacksonville and as far south as St. Augustine. Those outings were a key factor as they fine-tuned the menu, he said.

But it took a little bit longer than expected to find the right location for the brick-and-mortar restaurant. They ultimately chose Hodges Pointe Plaza because of its accessibility and central location between the Beaches and downtown.

Bright, airy decor

Live plants accentuate the bright and airy ambiance of the restaurant. The decor features copper accents, white subway tile, and softly lit lighting fixtures above the main seating area. The restaurant has 40 seats inside and 24 on the outdoor patio.

Customers can order at the counter and their food is brought to their table. There also is a kiosk ordering system inside the restaurant and people can order online and call in orders, Ortiz said.

Wild Pie is keeping its food truck for marketing events and "warming up new locations," he said.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Monday through Sunday.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Plant-based restaurant Wild Pie opens in Jacksonville