8 ½ in The Fan

I had the most amazing vegan hero sandwich here! Visiting from out of town, I stopped in here because it was close to where I’m staying and I needed food before I could check in. The girl at the counter was super helpful in explaining the vegan options. The hero sandwich had mushrooms, spinach, potatoes, and very garlicy. Everything was delicious. I also got the lentil soup to bring back with me. Wish they had more seating, but it’s a limited space location. I sat in the corner on one of the few chairs they have.

8 1/2 is a classic. There red pizzas are to die for and there white pizzas are equally outstanding. Save a slice of the white pizzas for breakfast if you can. Eggplant parmigiana has the right combo of garlic and tomato sauce. The eggplant is sliced thinly and cooked to perfection.. I always order a brocoletti.. sublime.. the service is always fast and efficient.. everyone is super friendly. Highly recommend.

Pizza perfection. The perfect dough, perfect spicy sauce, perfect amount of cheese and toppings. You can taste every aspect of the pizza. Delicious!!!! Only downside is there's not seating.

Service is good and the food is definitely unique. The meat lasagna had to be the best and most unique tasting lasagna I ever had. Glad I ordered that. Pizza was unique too but not the best pizza we ever had. We did not like the salad at all, it came with some type of balsamic house dressing, ranch was not available. We attempted to order roasted chicken but they were out. We ordered by phone and they told us that it would take 30 to 40 minutes, and they told us that they don't have a parking lot, just need to find a place to park in the side of the street, not in the middle of the street because the street is narrow and this seems to be college town VCU Virginia Commonwealth University. When we arrived, we found a parking spot on the side of the street, called and they brought our food out immediately, no wait time. Curbside pickup, thank you!

Ok so, this is a special pizza. It's its own thing. Not NY style, not Napolitano, Not Chicago. It's 8 1/2 pizza. Is this "Richmond Style" pizza? I think it might be. The dough is rich and crispy. The sauce is fresh and a little spicy. I love that i can get roasted green peppers on a pizza which is unheard of. Subs are large and flavorful. My favorite combo is to get the pizza with the eggs in tuna sauce and dip the pizza crust in the tonnato sauce. I'm not usually thinking about about buying eggs in tuna sauce in a take out place, but rethink this. I'm not even a tuna person and this is one of my favorite dishes in Richmond. Call ahead, you will wait. While you wait you'll be tempted into buying some of their retail products like high quality lentils or pasta to cook at home. Can't go wrong with 8 1/2.

Tasty thin pizza! We bought the pepperoni and a calzone. Our pizza was QUITE greasy, it was dripping. After dabbing it off the pizza was very good! Our calzone was cooked to perfection and came with a generous portion of homemade (?) dipping sauce, we had plenty left over to dip our pizza crust. The calzone ends that didn't have filling were yummy all by itself. Personal preference is there was way to much ricotta in the calzone. A little pricy, but a great picnic splurge. (there is a nice little park across the street that you can sit at to enjoy your pizza on a nice day) Customer service could use a little uplifting. We were able to find parking on a side street, since they have no parking lot or anywhere to wait for your food. It was a nice day so we took a walk during the 30 minute wait.

First time @ 8 1/2 - eta on pick up was “bettered” by 10 minutes (important on a nasty, rainy night navigating the Fan!), 4 or 5 others waiting that were expeditiously dealt their pies, cheery faced greeting, great soundtrack while waiting…sausage/mushroom pie (Fellini-esque masterpiece!)…Lesson Learned = 2 Pies next time!! And I KNOW there will be many returns

Awesome food. Friendly staff. The Italian sub and pasta were amazing but the baked cabbage was also sneaky delicious.

Oh my LAWD child. Best pizza in Richmond? Best pizza in Richmond. I'm driving 50 minutes from the country to pick this up today - it's that good.

3.5 stars. I'm on the search for the best pizza in Richmond, so wanted to give this place a try! Mostly because i've had the pleasure of smelling their pies every time I pass to get some scoops ice cream. Once inside, this place is solely for takeout. There possibly might've been a chair, but I cant be 100% sure. I ordered a pepperoni pizza with arugula salad to take home. Pizza was about ~$17 I think. Pizza was that thin, more Neapolitan style that I usually like. Flavor was pretty good. Arugula salad was just that. A take out box of arugula which made me feel a little silly for ordering. I think if you rank it among take-out places, it's a good pizza. But for the how overpriced it is and the fact that you don't really have the option to sit there and eat it, I think i'm still on the search for a better pie in Richmond! I might come back to try some of their other items though.

I've been coming to 8 1/2 for over 12 years and it's always wonderful. Anything you try, it's going to be amazing! The pizzas are incredible and I'm obsessed with the arugula salad. I didn't get the lasagna this time, but that is also absolutely delicious. give it a try!!

The vegan pizza at 8 1/2 is so unique and I absolutely love it. The dough is both soft and crunchy, the broccolini is chopped up making each slice easy to bite into and there's even a little kick! I usually call in for pick up and they make the food quickly. The shop itself is super cute and has a bunch of authentic Italian products for sale!

Pizza is real Italian/European style with a zesty red sauce. It's a bit of a wait as everything is made fresh and they are very popular!

Terrible service. Person taking orders with a rude demeanor and attitude, making me not want to come back here ever. Plenty of other quality places with good service in the area. Avoid.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Best pizza in Richmond hands-down. The pasta is delicious as well as the roasted chicken, and the heroes. This is clutch Italian food.

The pizza was on the thinner side and was really good. I got peppers, onions and mushrooms. I wasn't a huge fan of the penne with meat sauce but that was a personal preference.

The recipe changed... the red pizza is not as thin, greasy, crispy anymore. What happen?

Friendly service, good crispy crust. Not quite Neapolitan style, but I'd definitely go back.

Still the best pizza in Richmond. Crispy crust. Ugh so good. Can't blame the business for the pricing. Everything is expensive nowadays.

Love this place! Everything we've tried so far has been great. Definitely recommend trying the pizza and pasta with meat sauce. The salad was kind of disappointing though. There's a ton of lettuce with very sparse salad toppings, and it's the price of a full salad - not a side salad. I was pretty much eating mostly lettuce. Other than that- everything else has been so delicious!

Great at what they do, it's a to go place so you're going to get good food--to go. If you crave a good sub, arugula salad or za check them out.

I had this pizza several years ago and have been longing to have it again. So happy that my cousin showed me this place and will always make sure I get it when I'm in town. They are perfect size to share with one other (or if you're me it's a personal pizza).

Some of the best pizza in Richmond! A cute, eclectic shop that is take-out only, but with a delicious menu that they back up with a great product. I personally love the breakfast pizza, with the mortadella! One of may fave "go-to" spots here in a Richmond. Where else can you get a fried egg on a pizza??

Love doing evening walks to this pizza place and usually go on Friday nights and the pizza is amazing. Wait time is a bit long tho

We were looking for a good Italian take out restaurant when we found 8 1/2 on Yelp. After reading the reviews we went for it! So delicious!! We had meat lasagna, white pizza, arugula salad and cannolis! Perfect Italian meal! Try it! You'll be glad you did!

HOLY CANNOLI (but seriously, their cannolis are great) this place is incredible. I like me some pizza, and this place is my absolute favorite pizza spot not just in Richmond, but it ranks up there with my all-time favorite pizza spots across the US. Their breakfast pizza is made of dreams and unicorns. I literally dream about it sometimes, it's that good. I've tried their red sauce pizzas also, and they are very very good too if breakfast pizza is not your jam. I can't wait to work through more of their menu, but this place is absolute fire. If you live in Richmond and have not eaten here, stop reading this review and GO NOW. One tip: This is not really a "show up and order your food" kind of restaurant. They are a SUPER small establishment with no seating there, so the best way to eat there is to call ahead with your order and then go pick it up. This is a take your pizza to-go spot. If you mess up (like we did our first visit, haha), or just like, don't want to plan ahead, you can always check out the little ice cream spot that's almost next door! :)

Happy Pi(e) Day everyone!! Decided to check this place off the bucket list since "its the best pizza in Richmond". I knew going in it was going to be expensive for what I was getting compared to a chain "large for 7.99 deal". Call ahead, super easy and on point with the waiting time. The staff could not have been any nicer. The place is tiny and super cute. Only a take out service, on this tiny road with an amazing grocery store and ice cream parlor next door. Red Pizza w/ Pep: amazing flavor with a good crust. little spicy from the pep's. overall i can dig it White Pizza: again amazing flavor with a good crust. a little funky from some of the different types of cheeses. overall i would get again but i liked the red better. Calzone: THIS IS THE REASON I WOULD COME BACK. the amounts of cheese and ricotta they put in this was insane. well worth the money. my sister needed more bread for the ratio to be better but i was in heaven. great saltiness from the meat along the sweetness from the ricotta. Well done 8 1/2. Best pizza in Richmond?? No however you can definitely hold your own.

I carried out from this place on a Tuesday night and despite the pandemic and the weekday- the place was busy! I just walked up and ordered at the door- which was doable but it resulted in me waiting outside for about 35-40 minutes while my order was being prepared. Therefore, I walked down to the little ice cream store while I waited and had my dessert first. I got the veggie lasagna to go. It was amazing! The lasagne was baked in the pizza oven and a nice caramelized cheese crust with gooey mushrooms, eggplant, basil, and ricotta inside. I think the best part of the lasagne was the red sauce it came with which was slightly spicy, slightly sweet, And flavorful. I wonder if this is the same sauce they add to the margarita pizza? I bet it is and can't wait to get a pizza next! Quality ingredients resulting in quality food. Wish they would open a sit down restaurant post pandemic and expand their pasta menu. Hands down, the best tasting pizza in Richmond.

8 1/2, part of Mamma Zu's, is a small Italian market that also serves up sandwiches, soups, pastas, and pizzas. The hubs and I picked up a pepperoni pizza here, and it was just SO GOOD! The pizza is made fresh to order, and it came out super piping hot! The crust was thin, had a little crisp on the edges, and the toppings were generous with the yummy tomato sauce, the cheese, and the delicious pepperoni slices. I'm not a crust person, but I ate all the slices up whole! No need for any extra Parm or chili flakes, either! Most seem to call ahead and do a carry-out; there are also a few tables and chairs to dine-in. I'd love to come back and try their other pies, their pasta dishes, as well as their sandwiches. Friendly staff, and such a delicious spot! +delicious pizza! +friendly staff! +limited residential parking

I ordered the red pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms and it was delicious! I was in the neighborhood and just ordered from the counter; ready in 30 minutes and was still hot and delicious after a 15 minute walk home. This is a takeout only place with some other items as well, that all looked great!

Some people like their pizzas thick. Some people like their pizzas chewy. Some like it deep. Some like it thin. I like my pizza perfect. This was absolutely one of the best pizzas I have had in a very very long time. I had a red pizza with sausage and mushrooms. The sauce was robust, the cheese was bubbly, and the bottom crust was perfect. You bite through with the toppings, cheese, sauce- followed by the perfect crunch of the pizza itself. The pizza didn't droop, a flow of scorching hot cheese with all the toppings falling off, like some brick oven pizzas spots- the pizza slices held its form. The pizza had perfect amount of ratio I liked on the pizza. I'm okay with the price and I'm okay with the simplicity because this has quality written all over it. I can't wait to come back to RVA and have more.

Recently had the cheese pizza with red sauce from here and fell in love immediately. All the elements (crust, sauce, cheese) were perfect and what made it so special is I think that their oil is flavored too. Garlicy, a hint of spice, cooked to just the right level. It's a thin slice, personal pizza. I somehow managed to not eat it one sitting and it tasted good even when I tried the cold leftovers the next day. This place is run by the same owners as Edo's Squid which has very good pasta. 8 1/2 has pasta too but haven't tried that yet. I don't generally love things so quickly but this was exceptional and also why I ended up taking a picture after devouring half of it. Just with one experience, this is now my go to spot. This is a must try pizza place.

Been here twice they don't miss. Got the Meatball Sub and it was prefect. Then got the Italian Hero and probably one of the best Italian subs I've had in a while. The potatoes that come with it are amazing. Great little small place will be back.

Always great. Food is amazing, staff is friendly and helpful. Will always have 8 1/2 on my short list if I'm venturing to the Fan for takeout.

Hands down the best pizza I've had in Richmond. Each pie is prepared to order w qual sauce, cheese, etc. worth a trip!

8 1/2 is hands down some of the best pizza your tastebuds will experience. As the name suggests, each pizza is 8 1/2" which is a perfect size. Fresh, fast, great service will hit you as soon as you step in the door. Pizza not your thing? Well, they have other options such as pasta, soup, dolci, antipasta, and heroes. What are you waiting for? Get to 8 1/2 and experience all of the deliciousness they have to offer.

I went to 8 1/2 several years ago and hadn't been back since. My boyfriend and I were in the area and decided to drop by for lunch. We went right when they opened, so it was not very crowded. Their menu is short, so it did not take us very long to choose. We decided on a red pizza topped with onions and sausage, as well as a calzone. Our order ended up taking about twenty-fives to prepare, so it is definitely not the best place if you are in a big hurry. There is also not much seating inside either, so don't plan on eating lunch there. The quality of the pizza was phenomenal and definitely better than I remembered. The pizza crust was thin and crunchy, which was complimented by a flavorful red sauce on top. The sausage was very good as well, but the red onions were a bit on the raw side. The calzone was pretty good, but not as good as the pizza. It was stuffed with ricotta cheese, which didn't have too much flavor. There was also supposed to be ham in there, but there was so little that we thought they had forgetten to add it until we discovered a few small pieces in the center. Bottom line: 8 1/2 is a great spot for thin-crust pizza, but I would recommend getting it to go.

Our favorite pizza in Richmond! Love the crisp thin crust and the spicy red sauce. Add the arugula salad and a bottle of red wine and you have the perfect date night. The eggplant park is also outstanding.

THE BEST MARGHERITA PIZZA IN RICHMOND!! 8 1/2 has the best pasta and pizza ever. I've gotten the pasta with butter and Parmesan since I was 7 and Ive never not gotten it when I've gone here or to Edo's because it's so good. The pizza has the most amazing crust and sauce. Would highly recommend!! I love eating my food in scuffle town park right around the corner, especially during COVID. The store only allows one customer in at a time, so they are being very safe!

We love love love this place! The sauce is so incredibly fresh and the cheese just melts in your mouth. The crust is so buttery and crispy and flaky, yet perfectly doughy in the middle. We give it a solid 9/10!

3.5 stars One of my grad school cohort members told me I had to try the vegan pizza at 8 1/2. Some say a pizza with a white bean base is not a pizza, but I say anything on a crust counts. I finally tried it after visiting Idle Hands on Strawberry Street, and it was decent but I don't know if I'd call it a "must try" like my friend. While the restaurant menu describes it as "cannelllini, beans, and broccoletti," it fails to menu another one of its main ingredients, garlic. Yes, the pizza has a very strong garlicky taste, which I do not mind because I love garlic, but some might. Another reason one might not like this pizza is because of its dryness. I was expecting more of a hummus-like paste to replace the marinara, but that was not the case. This is why I liked instead of loved the pizza.

This was an excellent pizza experience. High quality all around. Great service. A bit pricey but it's worth it. You can tell it's well sourced ingredients. Hence the price point. I would come back here again in a heartbeat.

Always excellent! All the pizzas are perfect. Especially love the spicy pepperoni. Meat lasagna is so worth it! Carbonara my family fights for!

Hands down the best cheese pizza in Richmond! They also have other delicious types of pizza, but they do the classic better than anyone else. The pizza was ready fast too which was a perk.

Typically my husband and I would take the kids out for dinner on Friday and Saturday night as it's something we like to do on the weekends. When I'm not on maternity leave I work from home so come the weekend I like to go out to eat dinner. Anyway since I decided to check out Taziki's today on my own with my baby boy... I thought maybe we could order take out somewhere. My husband suggested 8 1/2 which we haven't had in awhile and my first thought when I heard his suggestion was MEAT LASAGNA!!!! 8 1/2 owners also own Mamma Zu's, Edo's Squid and Dinamo. If you love Mamma Zu's lasagna as much as we do you will love 8 1/2's lasagna because it is the exact same thing. Hands down this Meat Lasagna is the best lasagna I have ever had. They don't use ricotta like most restaurants do... instead they make a bechamel sauce... all I have to say is amazing. If you don't normally get lasagna because you dislike the excessive creaminess that ricotta usually causes then you must try this as I promise you, you will not be disappointed. I've suggested friends visiting from out of town to order this Meat Lasagna and not every time they visit they crave the Lasagna. It could really be a real addiction... a lasagna addiction. You will probably refuse to eat any other lasagna once you try this. Though if you don't like peas... yes peas this is not for you... sounds odd that lasagna has peas but it really works! Anyway, we ordered one Lasagna to go (this is huge... you will have leftovers if you eat like a normal person haha, my husband figured we could split it) and a White Pizza (this is the same white pizza you can order at Mamma Zu's as well... tidbit... Mamma Zu's makes pizzas for its customers but it's not on the dinner menu. The white pizza is thin, Crispy and has a hint of spiciness. This is not your typical white pizza with ricotta... all I have to say is you just need to try it you will fall in love with it. Originally I was going to mark 4 stars because it is takeout but as I am writing this I am reliving my delicious dinner and I have to give it 5 stars... it's that good. Don't hesitate... try 8 1/2 out and order the Meat Lasagna and the White Pizza you will thank me... takeout meals will be forever changed for the better:)

The sauce they use is very garlicy, and spicy. I know I have a ridiculously sensitive pallet when it comes to spice, but I got a cheese pizza and it was too spicy to finish for me.

Nice little place with unique and high quality pizza offerings if you're willing to pay the price. I went with a lady friend when it wasn't terribly busy and we ordered at the counter (the gentleman was very polite). They quoted 25 minutes, though it came out much faster than that (which was great, since the awesome smells were driving me crazy). While asking if they could give us cups if I bought a spring water to drink (every purchasable drink is bottled, no fountain here), a young lady working there was so kind as to simply give us cups of regular water at no charge. The pizza was amazing, definitely unlike any of the other offerings I've had in Richmond (though I still have a few left to try). I liked the cozy atmosphere of the place, though I didn't realize when going that this place is just for take out food, almost no space for dining in. If I were looking to impress an out-of-town friend with a great authentic pizza, I'd be inclined to order it from here. Overall: 4.0 stars --------- Pros: -The white pizza was great! Very unique flavor to it. -The staff members were extremely kind/friendly. -Service was speedy at a non-peak hour. Cons: -Pizza was pretty pricey considering its small size. If you are looking to get full, a pizza for two won't cut it. -Since there are only two two-seater tables, it's pretty much just for take out. I wasn't made aware of this prior to going.

We made a little swerve off 95 to make it here and really happy we did. 8 1/2 is a great walk-in with a few tables for dine in and a effortless cool vibe. While I was there I saw call aheads come in with boxes of beer and pick up their stack of take out pies. Each time I nodded my head in agreement. That seemed to be the way to go and what the steady stream of locals hold down. We ordered three pies. A Red, a Red with mushrooms and a White. First off the crust is super crispy and unique. I loved it. It held up the toppings defiantly (for hours!). The Red, a great balance of sauce and cheese. The sauce makes it for sure. Not sweet and enough garlic to make it pop. The Red with mushrooms turned out to be the favorite, just adding one more item changed the Red completely. The White with fontina (one of my favorite pizza cheeses) and a seasoned crust complete with crispy cheese bubbles made this pie taste so much better you would think. Simplicity is key here and it works. I really hope to make it back to Richmond and to 8 1/2 with a box of beer.

Since I was in the area and needed a quick lunch, I dropped by 8 1/2. I was able to try the breakfast pizza and it was quite good! There was a good amount of cheese and the sausages were tasty! We also tried the lentil soup and it was flavorful too. The food was great overall but nothing stood out. There were only two tables for seating - which make sense since they brand themselves as a take-out restaurant. Nevertheless, the server never asked if I was dining in or taking my food out so there was some miscommunication and I had to wait for my food for a good 25+ mins (which felt extremely long because I was in a hurry that day). While there were other desserts/snacks/pasta/sauces to buy at this place, there wasn't a bathroom so it wasn't as convenient for dine-in visitors. Because the food was good, I probably would give 8 1/2 another chance but most likely for take-out orders!

Ordered the white pie with anchovies. They said it would take 30 minutes and asked for my number. We walked around the neighborhood to pass the time. Waited outside their storefront, standing on the sidewalk for about 10-15 minutes. Went in to check on the order and it had been ready sitting on top of the oven. There wasn't a lot of people waiting. They could see us waiting outside and they had our number, not sure why they didn't wave us in or call. Thought the pizza was too salty. Pizza dough was a bit dry / too crispy. The finishing oil was tasty. Would've enjoyed some soft cheese like ricotta on the white pie.

Can't beat the red or white pizza. I usually go red plus pepperoni. The calzone and pasta are also delicious. What a great neighborhood spot!

Burnt cheese pizza... It was mostly black and barely edible. This is not good pizza, particularly for the price.

From NJ/NY and this is one of two places in Richmond that really get it right (the other is Zorch). Whatever their cheese blend is, is so good. Good ratios. Wish they would try and develop the flavor of the crust, but the whole package is delicious so whatever. Do yourself a favor: order yourself a pie and go sit in Scuffletown.

Not sure what all the hype is, top 50 places to eat in Richmond? I would have to say I disagree. Pizza was fine, nothing special really. I liked the flavor of pepperoni. I thought their hospitality was nonexistent. Not so welcoming staff. We ordered one pizza and waited 25 mins for it. Priced at $11, I think it is fair but not a value.

We have always loved 8 1/2 for their amazing Italian food. During the last few months though we've eaten there significantly. It's a small little place, basically with only take out before, so adjusting for covid was minimal. Only one inside, everyone else waits outside. Their pizza is fantastic, and I really love the roast chicken. The roast chicken is perfectly cooked, in a light tomato and onion based sauce, and served with some polenta. It's a half a chicken, so it ends up being two meals worth for me (most days- ha!). The pasta is also very good, although I am a sauce person and I wish I could just get a little higher in the sauce to noodle ratio. There's a little park across the street, so we usually grab our food, eat there, and then swing back by one of our other faves- scoop for dessert. Speaking of dessert though- their tiramisu is the best in Richmond. If they have it, get it. Also in the fridge of prepared foods are white anchovies (omg yum), and they have a bean salad and a black lentil salad, which are both fabulous! The point is, go to 8 1/2 ASAP. Phone your order ahead of time, it usually takes 30-45 minutes for them to prepare your food. TREAT YO SELF!

Man, I love this place. Probably the best pizza I've ever eaten. I love their chose of ingredients. For me, this is a must-stop spot for pizza if you are visiting Richmond.

Amazing pizza. In the area and went here based on the reviews. This place does not disappoint! No flop on the pizza, crunchy crust, great flavor to the sauce and the cheese was fresh. The staff was really nice. Will definitely come by the next time I'm in the area and can't wait to try the white pizza!