We were not planning a pizza stop. We were swinging into CP Plaza to try Gigi Gelati, which was also dang good, when Santo Forno next door changed the plan.
We ordered the Margherita to go, opened the box outside and immediately understood why a simple pizza can say so much about a kitchen. Cheap? Definitely not. Damn good? Absolutely. Santo Forno is already a new St. George favorite.
At a glance
We came for gelato
Gigi Gelati was the reason for the stop. Its storefront is immediately beside Santo Forno in the same plaza, so gelato and pizza are separated by little more than a doorway.
The gelato delivered. It was smooth, flavorful and worth the detour. But the smell next door was hard to ignore, and the idea of a Margherita for the ride home became an easy decision.
A simple pizza has nowhere to hide
Margherita pizza does not give a kitchen many places to cover mistakes. The dough, tomato, cheese, basil and olive oil all have to carry their share.
Santo Forno got the balance right. The crust arrived blistered and chewy, with enough structure to fold without turning limp. The tomato stayed bright. The mozzarella pulled into long strands, while basil and olive oil kept each bite clean rather than heavy.
“Cheap? Definitely not. Damn good? Absolutely.”
What comes on the $23 Margherita
Santo Forno’s current official menu lists the Margherita at $23 with house made mozzarella, basil and olive oil. The pizza we received arrived over a vivid tomato base, matching the classic style visible in the box.
House made mozzarella
Soft pieces melt across the pie and produce the kind of cheese pull that makes the first bite feel like an event.
Basil
Fresh basil adds an herbal lift that keeps the tomato and cheese from feeling too rich.
Olive oil
A light finish gives the pizza richness without burying the crust or tomato.
Is it worth $23?
If price is the only test, St. George has cheaper pizza. Santo Forno is not pretending otherwise.
But value is also about whether a meal feels memorable after the box is empty. This one did. The ingredients tasted deliberate, the crust had character and the whole pizza felt like more than a quick takeout compromise.
For us, that made the answer easy. It may not be the inexpensive choice, but it is a pizza we would order again.
Plan a visit
Hours and menu details were checked on October 23, 2026 and may change.
We went looking for gelato and came home with a new pizza recommendation. That is a pretty good afternoon in St. George.
