Cheap eats: Naked Pizza

Natalie Martin forms a crust at the new Naked Pizza in Hyde Park. (Credit: Gary Landers | Metromix)

Inside: Naked Pizza

We take a look at the cheeky new pizzeria in Hyde Park

My diet took a nosedive this week. Fried chicken, cheese quesadillas; you name it, I ate it. Craving something more on the healthy side, I popped into the newly opened Naked Pizza in Hyde Park.

The cheeky pizzeria makes all-natural products using prebiotic agave fiber, probiotics and ten grains in their dough. Even if you don't know what probiotics are, they've gotta be better for you than the queso I demolished the night before.

The mood: Naked Pizza is for carry-out and delivery only. It scored a prime spot with ample parking on Edwards Road, sandwiched between Yat Ka Mein Noodle House and Penn Station. The inside is painted a bright, light green with spring flowers on the counters to dress up the cute, clean, simple interior. After placing an order at the counter, play around on two iPads while you wait.

The food: I had my choice between 10-, 12- and 14-inch pizzas with either original or skinny (thin) crust. Our skinny 14-inch started at $6.99 and then I could add toppings for $1.89 each. My date wanted ham and pineapple for his half and I picked tomato and fresh basil for my half.

Besides create-your-own, it hasother pizzas like the Farmvil (lots of meat on that one) and Superbiotic (artichoke, spinach, bell pepper, mushroom, garlic, red onion and cilantro).

The guy at the counter told me the Mojomega Breadstixx, made with mozzarella and cheddar (and prebiotics and probiotics, of course) were delicious, but, keeping in mind recent diet choices, I instead decided on the Spinach Salad ($5.99), with tiny chopped bell peppers, black olives and red onions and blush wine vinaigrette dressing. I added a side of feta cheese ($1.49), too.

I liked the crispy crust of the skinny pizza and that the pizza came with ample amounts of mozzarella. The tomato slices and large pieces of basil tasted fresh and the ham and pineapple tastes went well together. The spinach in our salad was also fresh and the blush wine vinaigrette added a small kick, plus the salad was big enough for two hungry people with some left over.

The drinks: It had Jones Soda and water.

The damage: $18.25

The verdict: For a weekday night after "normal" dinner hours it still had a steady stream of folks coming in the door. If you're tired of greasy pizza or would prefer a healthier alternative, check out Naked Pizza.