Slice Girls West is an offshoot of the CBD’s popular pizza parlour Slice Girls and their new Footscray digs continues its formula for good, cheap pizza with a bit of cheeky zig-a-zig-ah!
The entrance to the cafe/pizzeria is hidden down a unprepossessing alley and is marked by small sign inviting you to ‘slice up your life’ and a welcome mat of Astroturf. The building was a former t-shirt printing factory and many of the industrial elements have been maintained in the decor. Love the beautiful wrought iron wall features.Â
Inside there’s a coffee counter serving Will & Co coffee, plus three tall bench tables and the bar area facing the kitchen. Upstairs an expansive 100+ person bar will open in about 5-6 weeks and the liquor licence will allow Slice Girls West to serve alcohol too.
Given the squashy space if you have a pram choose a non-peak time to visit, and the bar stool seating means that they’re only suitable for kids who can sit safely high up. High chairs are coming soon I’m told.
The menu contains some of the same dishes as Slice Girls city ie pizzas liberally scattered with Spice Girls puns (just waiting for someone to sing their order). Slice Girls West’s menu also includes toasties and some special Westside dishes – salads, nachos, a saganaki burger and kransky hotdog. Pizzas are only $12 and everything is under $15. Gluten free and vegan options are available.
Babycinos are free! Marshmallows are coming soon…
The pizzas are board-sized and thus enough for two small appetites or an adult. Half-sizes will be available soon, a good option as I suspect lots of kids will visit.
The pizzas are what I’d consider more of an American style, with a fluffier and firmer crust than Neapolitan style. A good crispy base and lack of oil make each slice easy to eat, and the topping ingredients are fresh and flavoursome. Lady AB and Baby 2.0 polished off the ‘Viva Forever’ (cherry tomato, mozzarella, oregano, basil) between them while I enjoyed the ‘Who Do you Think You Are’ (proscuitto, provolone, artichoke, basil) mostly for the melt-in-your-mouth cured meat.
There are no desserts on the menu but you can take you pick from the sweet things from the coffee counter (doughnuts, friands etc) which will be sourced from Brasserie Bread from next week.
Slice Girls West is open every day from 11am to late, making it perfect for a family-friendly dinner or an easy take away straight from the train station. It’s also just across the road from Footscray Community Arts Centre which holds many family-friendly workshops and events.Â
HOT Tips:
- pram access;
- standard menu suitable for kids; and
- free babycinos!
