MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas - Sometimes, the simplicity of childhood hits the spot, especially when combined with great taste. Heav'nly Foods, at 2217 W. Ferguson Road, has found such a coming together in pizza made in that rectangle style that was common in school cafeterias.
"We do daily specials and this started out as our Tuesday special," said Joan Phillips, co-owner of Heav'nly Foods. "We had the idea to try this, and it took at bit to get going. But once word got out that these were available, they started flying out of our kitchen.
Phillips, who has been in the food business for more than 20 years, said these pizzas have become so popular they get constant calls about them - even on the days they aren't making them.
"We probably are going to pre-make many of them and have them in our freezer, so people can take them home and make them in their own kitchen," she said.
The business started out as a high quality food truck.
My customers tended to be bank staff, lawyers, white collar sorts," she said. "Then, I took a break from the business and worked for my father for awhile. A series of crises eventually steered John and I into opening up the first brick and mortar version of Heav'nly Foods."
This was on Nov. 18, 2011.
"At first, it was grab n' go meals and desserts," she said. "But the customer flow eventually outgrew that location as word continued to get out."
Their current location came later, a structure that looks like a barn and used to be a used car lot as well as a barbecue location.
"We liked the ambiance of the place, among other things," she said.
The location has more than 4,000 square feet of space on two floors.
"We've expanded the menu over time, with daily specials and more. We even added a steakhouse elements, with customers telling us our steaks are some of the best around. Our latest hit are these pizzas, which evoke fond memories and take everyone away from some of the present unpleasantness," Joan said.
Joan says she has never received any formal training in the culinary arts.
"The good Lord just gave me the knack," she said. "I can do a lot of different things, so that's how we built the menu at Heav'nly Foods. When asked what we do, I just say 'food.' I don't want us to be pigeon-holed."