Woodfin – Franks Roman Pizza North in Woodfin has reopened after a six-week closure due to owner Carl Oliver’s spinal surgery. As the sole employee, Oliver had to temporarily shut down the business. Following a successful surgery that could have led to a lengthier recovery period, he is now back to his true calling – making pizza. Operating the second-longest-running same-owner restaurant in Woodfin, Franks Roman is highly regarded for serving the best pizza in the area.
During an interview, Oliver shared his journey to becoming a pizzeria owner. He previously worked for Auston Powder Company, a company involved in explosives production and transportation. Although the job required an extensive background check by the FBI, it offered good pay and relative safety. However, fueled by a lifelong passion for pizza, Oliver decided to pursue his dream and left his secure job to embark on his pizza-making career.
But Carl said he had a dream of making pizza. He said when he was just a child, he remembers pretending to ride a bike to deliver a pretend pizza to his mom. Franks Roman’s original owner, Frank Palmeri, who came to Asheville from New York, where there’s a pizza place on every corner, had opened his place in the Innsbruck Mall on Tunnel Road in 1977.
In 1979, Frank was looking for help, and Carl interviewed for the job but told Frank he had to work a notice. Frank told Carl to go do what he had to do and come back. He went back and told his boss, “I’m going to learn how to make pizza” (to which his fellow workers were skeptical), took a pay cut, and never looked back.
In 1990, Frank started franchising by allowing his employees to create their own pizza parlors. Carl started one on Patton Ave. in 1990, and in 1992, he sold that one, moved to Woodfin, and started Franks Roman North. The pizzeria is the second oldest restaurant under the same owner in Woodfin, behind The Fireplace, which opened in 1984.
“I thought we’d come here [Woodfin],” Oliver explained about coming to Woodfin, starting with only the delivery. While it got to about six locations in the area, the fledgling chain started dying off one by one, except for the Woodfin location. Asked what was the catalyst for the demise of the other sites, Carl said he really couldn’t say, but he said it had nothing to do with the original Frank’s recipe. Palmeri told Carl he could go anywhere with this recipe and sell pizza. “If you can make it in New York,” where there are pizzerias on every corner, “you can make it anywhere.”
Carl is looking to revive the franchising of the Franks brand and says that franchises are now available. While Carl is currently only doing carry-out pizza, something he started six years ago, as help was becoming hard to find and he was out of debt, he has a whole menu of items that go with a franchise: salads, lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti, calzones, and more. Another thing he is bringing back at lunchtime is pizza by the slice.
What makes his pizza so outstanding?
Frank’s Roman-style pizza offers a unique option in the pizza industry, standing out from others with its distinct taste and preparation. Oliver acknowledges that it provides a different experience, not necessarily claiming it is the best, but highlighting its incomparable nature. The use of fresh yeast and New York water in the dough contributes to its authenticity, while careful timing in the dough preparation ensures a perfect texture without any flaws. The combination of spices and sauce further adds to the uniqueness of Frank’s pizza.
Customers who have been loyal for years or have roots in the northern regions praise Frank’s Roman-style pizza, as it is reminiscent of the pizzas they remember from their hometowns. Testimonials from individuals like Chris Harris, Patricia Jackson-Frisby, Paul Michael Rumson, and Martin McDonald highlight the realness, great taste, and memories associated with Frank’s pizza. For those interested in trying it themselves, Frank’s Roman is located at 85 Weaverville Hwy. in Woodfin, offering takeout services on select days.
Personal commentary from the reporter, Clint Parker, who has been a longstanding patron of Frank’s Roman since the 1980s, encourages individuals to give it a try despite potential busy lines.
Full Disclosure: Reporter Clint Parker has been enjoying Franks Roman since the early 1980s, when he was a teen, and is still a patron of the business.