The bite. That is what Cary Hamer, owner of Inferno’s Wood Fired Oven & Spirits, said most aptly defines the proprietary flavor at his restaurant. In this case, the bite is brought to patrons by the signature Trinidad scorpion pepper, which is several times hotter than a habañero pepper and positioned at the forefront of the restaurant’s marketing. After having worked as vice president of operations for Hooters’ entire Texas corporate division for 17 years, Hamer opened Inferno’s in 2013 on Gruene Road in New Braunfels.

He said the first year, business was limited, but it has since picked up considerably.

“Our problem being that we were new ... no one knew who we were, and [it was difficult] trying to get people to come,” Hamer said. “Fortunately, they started building all these shops around here, and the migration has been ... better now.”Inferno’s not only has a favorable location and a wide-ranging menu, but the establishment also features live music on the extended patio space on weekends.

As far as Inferno’s Pizza, Hamer describes his product as artisan-style.

“It’s firm, but it’s not too rigid,” he said. “I like it when my pizza’s done ... that all of the toppings don’t fall off [because it tips downward when it’s picked up].” Hamer said the Trinidad scorpion pepper is versatile and can be served a number of ways, including infused in a sauce or atop a pizza.“It’s actually our trademarked scorpion pepper,” he said. “You can put it in your pizzas. You can put it in the mac ‘n’ cheese. You can put it in your bloody mary. You can really do anything you want with it. I think it’s something that sets us apart from everyone else, because no one’s cooking with that product.”

Inferno's Wood Fired Oven & Spirits

1198 Gruene Road, New Braunfels

830-629-2027

www.inferospizzeria.com

Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.