Ellen Nelson

With its gourmet toppings selection and the distinctive flavor from the fire grill, Sun-Dried Tomato Pizzeria offers students a new twist on this common staple in any college student’s diet.

Located in downtown Brookings, the pizzeria has been open since the beginning of September, but plans for a grand opening are still being discussed to take place within a few weeks, said the restaurant’s owner, Zach Halstead.

Along with 13 different gourmet pizzas, the restaurant serves pastas, Indian tacos, sandwiches and bread bowls.

The restaurant features a fire-grilled option for their pizzas, where the crust is grilled, giving the pizza somewhat of a smoky flavor, said Halstead.

More menu options the restaurant offers include appetizers, eight-inch personal pan pizzas, soup of the day and a kids’ menu for ages 12 and under, as well as a daily homemade dessert.

Halstead said the restaurant takes pride in the quality of the food it serves.

This past summer, the restaurant’s Indian tacos received an award in ‘A taste of Brookings’, a local event where taste tests and samples of food from different restaurants and vendors were available for judging and enjoyment.

Along with the award-winning Indian tacos, Halstead recommends everything on the menu and said that the sun-dried tomato pizza has been very popular.

Pizza options for ordering include a thin-crust 16-inch, a one-inch deep dish or a 12-inch stuffed option.

“I like how it’s new, different and offers a new kind of pizza other than the same old ones at Domino’s and Papa John’s,” said sophomore pre-pharmacy major Megan Sargeant.

Although she has not yet had the chance to eat at Sun-Dried Tomato Pizzeria, Sargeant said she likes the sound of a fire-grilled pizza and plans to check it out.

“I’m glad that Brookings is continually growing and bringing in more restaurants for us to check out,” said sophomore pre-nursing major Kara Zenor.

Although not a huge pizza fan, Zenor said the restaurant’s sandwich selection looked good on the menu and is adding Sun-Dried Pizzeria to her list of places yet to eat in Brookings.

#1.881383:3676470705.jpg:DSCF3455.1.jpg:Zach Halstead, owner and chef at Sun-Dried Tomato Pizzeria adds ingredients to a pizza.:Molly Ryan