Sometimes I step outside of Baltimore for a change of scenery — and food. On this particular day, we were headed to Columbia for brunch, but the wait was over an hour. Hungry and impatient, I opened Yelp and found Coal Fire Pizza just a short drive away in Ellicott City. My roommate’s pizza craving sealed the deal.
Coal Fire – Photo Credit http://www.grubgrade.com/
First Impressions
Coal Fire feels comfortable from the moment you walk in — casual enough for a quick bite, but nice enough for a sit-down meal with friends or family. The hostess led us right to our table, and I quickly realized this isn’t a one-off spot; Coal Fire has a few Maryland locations, including a popular one in Hunt Valley.
Oven Baked Wings
What We Ordered
Oven-Baked Wings:
We started with the wings, which had a great char and nicely cooked onions on top. They were good but could’ve used a bit more flavor — I found myself dipping them in ranch for that extra kick.
Pizza:
Naturally, we had to share a pie. We went classic — a traditional pizza with Coal Fire’s signature sauce and grilled onions. The crust was thin and crispy, holding up perfectly under the sauce. The flavor was balanced, and while the sauce is labeled “mild,” I didn’t find it spicy at all (but I may have a higher tolerance).
French Fries:
When my roommate spotted fries at another table, there was no going back. They arrived hot, thin, and skin-on — the kind you can’t stop picking at. We added a drizzle of malt vinegar, which gave them a salty, tangy finish.
French Fries
Overall Thoughts
Coal Fire delivered exactly what we needed: good food, quick service, and a relaxed vibe. The wings didn’t wow me, but the pizza and fries made up for it. Prices are fair, and portions are generous enough to share.
It might not have been the brunch we planned, but it turned into a satisfying lunch. If you’re in the Ellicott City or Columbia area and craving thin-crust pizza, Coal Fire is worth the detour.
Coal Fire Pizza has a few Locations, the one we visited is 5725 Richards Valley Rd, Ellicott City, MD.
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Categories: Howard County, Maryland
I too was pleasantly surprised with the Pizza at Coal Fire. Pretty good but now I am going to have to try the Oven Baked Wings.
The wings were definitely very good, let me know what you think !
Thanks for the follow!
My wife and I are always looking for new places to dine out on the area. So I am happy that I came across your blog! I have hung out in Federal Hill and Fells Point quite a few times over the years and passed by many of the places you have blogged about. Now you have given me reasons to check a few of them out. 🙂
Thanks! If you’re looking for a suggestion check out my ‘restaurant recommendations tab’ and be sure to let me know if you have a place you’d like reviewed!