Family-run restaurant offers wood-fired pizza

For all the cuisines that epitomize the state of Texas—Mexican, barbecue, seafood or fried anything—pizza is not something the area is typically known for.

However, pizza connoisseurs in Tomball have to look no further than Main Street to find an authentic wood-fired pizza. This is one of many dishes served up at Patsy's American Grill, part of an eclectic menu that includes everything from soups, sandwiches and salads to pastas and Tex-Mex.

"We bake all our pizzas with oak wood in a brick oven that we actually had imported from Milan," said Curtis Morris, the restaurant's owner. "It's one of the more interesting things that we offer here."

Patsy's has been in Tomball as a breakfast and lunch spot for two years. Before it became Patsy's American Grill, it was a coffee shop. Founded by Patsy Morris, the restaurant has since been sold to her son, Curtis, and daughter-in-law, Tracey. With their three children, Chris, Renee and Curtis Jr., heading the culinary team, Patsy's is a restaurant that gets the whole family involved.

According to Curtis, each family member contributes something important to the overall operation. He is the head of operations and has experience in restaurant start-ups. His wife Tracey's forte is baking. She uses her skills to whip up made-from-scratch pastries and desserts, like coconut cream pie and fudge-covered brownies. Curtis Jr. is the chef behind some of the newer additions to the menu, and he is responsible for developing the eatery's pizza dough recipe.

"Each of us puts in everything we can to this business, and it all comes together into something that we hope other people enjoy," he said.

Many of the menu items are family recipes that have been passed down through generations, Curtis said. The chicken salad recipe is one that has been handed down for two generations and has remained completely unchanged over time.

Everything at Patsy's is made from scratch after it is ordered, Curtis said.

"We make our food the way we would make it for ourselves," he said.

The eatery's layout is casual and fun. Tables are placed throughout the dining area with large windows that allow diners to look out onto Main Street.

Curtis said he wants his shop to play a role in the growth of downtown Tomball.

"We hope that our menu and our concept that we're trying to put together will be the catalyst to help make downtown more alive," he said. "The more good, solid businesses we can establish downtown, the more people you'll see coming in."

Curtis said he wants to avoid rushing future plans for expansion. He said his aim is to expand in a way where the quality of the food is never sacrificed for the desire to get bigger.

"It's a family business and if you had a family and you're trying to make that business good, you're going to put your heart into it," Curtis said. "You're going to try to make every customer happy."

Owner Recommendations

• Grilled Chicken BBQ pizza—Chipotle BBQ sauce topped with grilled chicken, sauteed onions and cheddar cheese, 10" ($9.49), 14" ($15.49)
• Mediterranean Veggie pizza—Homemade tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, red onion, Kalamata olives and mozzarella, sprinkled with feta, 10" ($9.49), 14" ($15.49)
• Fiesta Tilapia—Pan-seared filet served over Cilantro-lime rice with grilled asparagus and topped with crab-pineapple Pico-de-Gallo ($9.99)
• Homemade Tomato Basil Soup—Made fresh daily, cup ($3.49), bowl ($4.99)
• Fudge Covered Brownies—Decadently rich, served warm ($3.49)

Patsy's Coffee

In addition to its lunch and breakfast, Patsy's is also known for its gourmet coffees.

• The restaurant gets its coffee from the port of Houston, where it is shipped directly from the bean farmers
• Curtis Jr. roasts the beans in house at least every two days
• Owner Curtis Sr. recommends their medium roast blend called "Renee's blend," named after his daughter

Patsy's American Grill, 425 W. Main St., Tomball, 281-290-9664

• Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Sat. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.