Coal Fire Pizza Ellicott City: Thin-Crust Pizza Worth the Drive

The author recounts a trip from Baltimore to Ellicott City, seeking brunch only to find long wait times. They opted for Coal Fire Pizza, experiencing a comfortable atmosphere and quick service. While the oven-baked wings were somewhat bland, the thin-crust pizza and fries were excellent, making it a satisfying meal overall.

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/ — 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.

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.

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.

For more drool worthy pictures, follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog for the latest and greatest.