It’s only been a few weeks since Graffiti Pizza opened its doors at Destin Commons, but people have been pouring in for a slice or a whole pie.
“It’s going awesome. The people here are great and the people in the community are awesome. I have enjoyed getting to know them,” said Mike McDevitt, owner of Graffiti Pizza.
Located in the old “World of Beer” location at the front of Destin Commons facing Emerald Coast Parkway, Graffiti Pizza opened on June 2 and has not slowed down.
“Although there are a lot of tourists here, there’s a lot of locals,” McDevitt said.
“It’s important we cater to them also. They keep the flow going here in Destin during the off season,” McDevitt said.
To show that appreciation, Graffiti Pizza offers a discount to locals.
What makes Graffiti Pizza different?
“We don’t mass produce anything,” McDevitt said.
Graffiti prides itself on everything fresh.
“I don’t have a freezer, so everything comes in fresh. All the produce is fresh. And we make our own dough,” he said.
“Everything is made from scratch,” McDevitt said.
At Graffiti they make New York style pizza.
“Everything is cooked on a stone … that’s what sets us apart from everyone else,” he said.
They offer pizza by slice or 16- or 20-inch pies.
What keeps people coming back?
“They come back for the cheesy bread. Cheesy bread is a huge deal here,” he said.
Cheesy bread is covered in shredded mozzarella with a side of marinara sauce.
“A lot of people like our Buffalo Chicken and BBQ chicken pizzas,” he said.
Another favorite is the Meat Lovers because it has five different meats – pepperoni, bacon, Italian sausage, chicken, meatball, and shredded mozzarella.
Graffiti also offers salads such as a Greek Salad, Spinach Salad, and Graffiti Ceasar.
In addition to cheesy bread, they also have garlic bread, a meatball grinder, and an Italian grinder, both served with a bag of chips.
Other offerings
Graffiti Pizza has a full bar with 22 TVs, as well as a patio bar.
“We also cater to animals,” McDevitt said.
Dogs are allowed outside on the patio and there is a water bowl ready and waiting for the furry friends.
“We are also gearing up for football season,” he said.
Graffiti just got gift cards in and will be starting a “loyalty program.”
Graffiti also uses Uber Eats, and they offer online takeout as well as curbside delivery.
Graffiti Pizza is open 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Graffiti Pizza can be reached at 850-842-2505.
McDevitt’s backstory
Like many people, McDevitt visited here with family and fell in love with the area.
In 2013, they had a family reunion.
“I kind of just fell in love with the town, minus the traffic,” McDevitt said.
Fast forward to 2020, he decided to make the move from Minnesota to Navarre, to help take care of parents.
“Then I got involved with my local church, Destiny Worship Center,” he said noting he had been a pastor in Minnesota for about 10 years.
“I was kind of doing stuff with the church, but I was missing the restaurant business,” he said.
McDevitt and restaurants go way back.
“I started when I was 15 years old as a dishwasher for Panteras Pizza in Raleigh, North Carolina. That was way back when,” he said.
“I worked my way from being a bus boy to a dish washer, kitchen manager, bar manager to general manager,” McDevitt said.
When he first moved to the area, he went to work for Matt LaFon at Casino Beach Bar and Grill on Pensacola Beach.
LaFon also owns a Graffiti Pizza in Pensacola.
“He owns that one, and I own this one,” McDevitt said.
However, the guys are looking to expand and open a couple more in the next three or four years.
But for now, he is happy in Destin.
“Just look at the beaches, you can’t beat the beaches. What a beautiful area,” McDevitt said.
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Graffiti Pizza open at Destin Commons serving it up New York style
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
