Goodbye and Welcome Back Goody's Pizza

Update May 22: Goody's reopened under new management a month and a half after closing! New owners keeping the menu and staff but updated the interior. Read the full story at ArlNow.com.

Goody's pizza shop in Clarendon closed on Saturday, April 7 2018. As ArlNow.com first reported, the owners decided to close the tiny pizzeria and retire after their rent continued to rise and felt they could not increase pizza costs as well. Check out this ArlNow.com video interview for more perspectives from the owners.

Goody's opened in 2006 and will be missed as it served as mainstay staple for nightlife in the middle of Clarendon with its miniscule footprint serving a huge number of hungry party-goers late into the early morning. It would be common for lines to go out the door and down the block of Wilson Blvd after midnight on Friday or Saturday nights. I found that their pizza tasted the best late at night, as their kitchen pushed out tons of fresh cheese or pepperoni slices for the hungry (and mostly intoxicated) crowds.

Here's hoping another small family owned business can take their place at 3125 Wilson Blvd, as without local unique shops like this Clarendon will lose its unique and vibrant character.

Goodys pizza eating contest & 7th Anniversary

Goodys via Yelp

It's been seven years since the small and colorful Goodys pizza and ice cream shop became a late night staple for Clarendon nightlife. Providing large slices for those starving after the 1:30am last call at most local bars, Goodys food menu (ice cream, subs and pizza) seemed to always taste better late at night.

Tomorrow, August 18, Goodys is celebrating their anniversary with a pizza eating contest. Drop by from 2 to 5pm Sunday to participate or just fight off the summer heat with some ice cream.

Late night at Mario's

Plenty of steak and cheeses to go around late at night

Besides Goody's, Silver Diner and Hard Times, another late night dining option in Clarendon is Mario's. Located on Wilson Blvd, Mario's servers pizza by the slice, steak and cheese subs and burgers until 2 am weekdays and 4 am Friday and Satruday night.

 I stopped in late last night, and had to wait an unsually long time because there was an order a head of me for a dozen steak and cheeses. You know the food must be good here if local late night work crews frequent it.

I like their steak and cheese, althought my favorite is still the one from Ray's. I have yet to try their pizza, but it gets good reviews on Yelp.

Pete's Apizza for dinner

Curing a craving for pizza around here is easy with all the choices, including Goody's, Bertucci's, Lost Dog, Pupetella, and many others. I chose Clarendon's latest pizza venue tonight, Pete's New Haven Style Apizza. The original mozzarella is shown here, and was so tasty I almsot ate too much of this large 18" pie.

For those that think this $20 pizza is too expensive, Pete's did the math and argued that their 18" pizzas are a much better value than their competitor's smaller selections.

Pete's has a happy hour special weekdays from 4 to 6pm with half price drafts. If you are in Clarendon during the day, I would recommend checking out their lunch special of 2 slices of pizza and a drink for $6.

Goody's Pizza Challenge

Goody’s Pizza sits in the heart of Clarendon, and its late hours and large slices has been a staple attraction for night owls sobering up after most local bars have last call at 1:30am.

This Sunday May 1, from 2-5pm Goody’s Pizza in Clarendon will be celebrating their 5 year anniversary by having their inaugural pizza eating contest. The challege:eat a whole Goody’s Pizza in 30 minutes or less. Or come by to sample some new menu items grab a slice of cake, and check out the new look, as they just re-painted the walls and got a new menu board.

Fireworks Pizza in Courthouse

Fireworks Pizza just opened last week down the street in Courthouse to much fanfare and anticipation. The large restaurant on Clarendon Blvd and N. Adams St. offers an air eating area, bar with TV, and a surprising amount of outdoor seating. There is also an interesting looking outdoor fireplace that is available to eat around, but they have not lit it yet. I highly recommend dining outside if the weather permits.

Their staples are obvious, with good beer and pizza selections, although the spinach dip appetizer was delicious. Their beer choices were my favorite part, and they came in nice branded glasses as well. The pizza was good but honestly can't compete with Pupatella on Wilson.

I'm very happy that Fireworks opened in this section of town, as it will help out the nightlife in this border region between Clarendon and Courthouse. There was plenty of foot traffic around Clarendon Blvd during the day, which also makes it a great people watching venue.

Pupatella Pizza on Wilson Blvd

Down Wilson Blvd just past Ballston is a hidden jem of a pizza parlor named Pupatella. Sitting across from Super Pollo, this small cheap eats joint pumps out delicious brick oven Neapolitan style pizzas. As a bonus, they offer gelato for dessert.

A friendly atmosphere with bright trendy decor, the place is a family run shop. Meaning just because you are ready to eat does not mean they will be open or the pizza dough will be ready. But it is well worth it when you do finally get your pizza.

Flippin Pizza in Falls Church

A nice local find is Flippin Pizza that just opened recently in Falls Church. The cozy modern neighborhood pizzeria offers decent New York style slices. With deals like two slices and a drink for $5.50, its hard to pass up and a good alternative to Z-Pizza.

It is tucked away in the corner of the atrociously decorated "Flower Building" on Route 7 and very easy to miss. They don't deliver, but they have a call-ahead-and-pickup service available.

Local blogger Blueweeds did an excellent review of this pizzeria recently too. Its getting good reviews on Yelp too.