Comet Ping Pong — Review by Food Network
Washington, United States — Pizza, Calzone, Italian
Guy Fieri visits Comet Ping Pong in Washington DC to explore owner James Alipontis's 15 original pizzas and calzones. The standout dish is the Philly calzone featuring a butter-flied pork loin with broccoli rabe and provolone, praised for its quality ingredients and perfect execution. The reviewer calls it some of the best pizza he's ever had and highly recommends the restaurant.
What was great: The Philly calzone with roasted pork, broccoli rabe, and provolone; wood-fired pizza oven dough; fresh, quality ingredients; fun ping pong tables; overall pizza quality
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The main attraction is the Philly calzone, a creative take on the classic Philadelphia sandwich. The filling features a butterfly pork loin seasoned with salt, pepper, hot peppers, parsley, and garlic, then seared in the wood-fired pizza oven until the fat chars beautifully before finishing in a conventional oven to reach 160 degrees. Inside the calzone, the roasted pork is layered with sauteed broccoli rabe dressed in garlic, salt, and lemon zest, topped with slices of provolone cheese. The calzone is folded with a small hole to prevent steaming and cracking. After about 5 minutes in the oven, the result is a gorgeous, golden calzone with incredibly smoky flavors and fresh, sweet tomato sauce made from hand-picked tomatoes that are canned in-house.
The Experience
Comet Ping Pong offers a fun, casual atmosphere where diners can play ping pong while waiting for their food. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with owner James Alipontis actively involved in the kitchen, cranking out 15 original pie and calzone creations.
Value & Pricing
No specific prices are mentioned in the transcript, but the quality of ingredients and preparation suggests fair value for a specialty pizza establishment.
Notable Moments
This is some of the best pizza I've ever had in my life.
If you live north of the equator, you have to come up here. I mean, there's just no excuse.
The Verdict
Comet Ping Pong is a must-visit destination for pizza and calzone lovers. The restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients, traditional wood-fired cooking techniques, and creative flavor combinations makes it stand out. Guy Fieri's enthusiastic endorsement and strong recommendation make this a top-tier pizza establishment worth traveling for.