It was without much fanfare that Sal’s Pizza Factory opened its doors on Monroe Road in the Echo Hills neighborhood of southeast Charlotte in 2018, but in the three years since, it has slowly built a cult following, earning rave reviews for its wide assortment of pizzas ranging from staples like cheese or Margherita to more eccentric toppings like calamari and steak fries. Even their vegan pizza has been called the best in Charlotte.

Then in April, just as their counterparts in the restaurant industry were warily stepping back into business as usual, before North Carolina’s COVID-19 restrictions had lifted in full, Sal’s quietly opened a second location, bringing its massive menu to Dilworth. The pizzeria is unique for its thin crust and gracious amounts of toppings.