Ink

By Farid Azzeh’s count, there are approximately 14 pizza places in his business’s neighborhood.

The owner of Jerusalem Bakery in Westport figures one more couldn’t hurt.

“Most of them are big franchises,” he said, citing Domino’s and Minsky’s. “One small fish will not hurt the sharks.”

With that logic, he devoted a wing of his bakery and market to a pie parlor about a month ago and called it Jerusalem Pizza. 

The joint: The strip-mall spot is already popular for its vegetarian fare and Middle Eastern cuisine. But Azzeh, who also owns both Jerusalem Cafe locations, was ready for a crop of fresh faces.

“We’ve been here for 12 years, and we get the same customers,” he said. “Adding pizza will bring in new customers.”

Azzeh acquired his equipment from an auction and his knowledge from a Vegas-experienced chef with whom he once worked.

Then, he put a new spin on Kansas City pizza as we know it.

The food: Pies range from Middle Eastern styles — falafel, gyro, kifta — to American standards like pepperoni, meat lover’s and Philly cheese steak. Azzeh also serves more exotic combinations, such as spicy mango chicken and pineapple chicken.

Azzeh tops house-made dough with from-scratch sauce and fresh ingredients. On our pesto spinach and artichoke pie, the crust — tender and flaky in all the right places — was perfectly seasoned and smothered in melted mozzarella with a tangy touch of feta.

You can sample pizza on the buffet or buy a pie for $9 (or two for $15).

Once business picks up, Azzeh said, Jerusalem Pizza will eventually deliver. In the meantime, it’s worth the trip.

Jerusalem Pizza

What: Pie parlor inside Jerusalem Bakery

Where: 1404 Westport Road

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday

Info: 816.931.8575