Supporting the Best Local Businesses in Norfolk: Eric’s Pizza

Looking to support the best businesses local to Norfolk? We had a chat with Eric from Eric’s Pizza to find out more about his pizza restaurant in Thornham.

For Father's Day this year, we wanted to do something a little different. After working on some new products for dads to enjoy this June 20th, we were looking for a fun location to shoot in. Here at Lisa Angel, we're all about supporting local businesses, especially in our home county of Norfolk, so when Eric's Pizza in Thornham let us visit their new restaurant to photograph our Father's Day products, we were super excited.

While we were there, we wanted to get to know a little bit more about the man behind the business. Originally from Lincolnshire, Eric Snaith has been living in Norfolk since he was 8 years old. Also known for Eric's Fish & Chips and Titchwell Manor, he opened Eric's Pizza around a year ago. Eat in or takeaway, they serve wonderful hand-stretched pizzas cooked in a traditional wood oven with antipasti and charcuterie starters, plus homemade lemonade and beers and wines hand-selected by Eric himself.

After a day of shooting our Father's Day pieces and tucking into some delicious pizzas in their unique yurt-style restaurant, we found a few minutes for Eric to answer all of our questions - from why he started Eric's Pizza to his favourite items on the menu. Plus, he gave us his take on the hot debate among foodies… Does pineapple really belong on pizza!

It was a bit of an opportunity really. We set up the fish and chip shop next door six years ago and when this restaurant came up, being next door was a great opportunity and I just really wanted to go for it. I thought it would be good. It actually happened with Covid and lockdown so it was a bit of a wobble at first but I'm glad we persevered. I'm really pleased with it now.

The location is amazing. How did you decide on the perfect place?

It's a bit of a bonus, I suppose, that we didn't go searching for this location. Thankfully Mum and Dad moved here so it's down to them. I've been at Titchwell Manor for 32 years so I've grown up around this area. This actual location has grown so much so during that time, it's unbelievable really.

Are your customers mainly local or holidaymakers?

It's probably mainly holidaymakers. It gets really busy when the kids are off school and there's a lot of people down here. It's very family friendly and we have a bit of a younger demographic going for pizza. We've not even been open a year yet so hopefully we'll keep building up more and more local customers.

What's your favourite thing on the menu?

I like the cured meats, probably. Like all the little extra bits we do, so you can have an antipasti starter. And just some of the really simple ingredients, probably these anchovies are my favourite actually. We put these on the menu at cost price because they're mega expensive and I just wanted people to try them as I think they're fantastic, like one of those unbelievable ingredients.

Apart from pizza, what's your favourite meal?

I should probably say fish and chips really, shouldn't I! I love barbecue food as well. I could never give up a really nice steak and chips. I like loads of things, really.

What's your children's favourite meal?

Probably just spaghetti with butter on! They'd probably say a roast dinner actually. That's a favourite that they all go for. Yorkshire puddings! The four year old gave up veg recently which is hard work!

Now a big food question... Does pineapple go on pizza?

I'm alright with it! My kids like it. I figure, from being a chef, whatever people want I'm cool with. As long as they have a great time. Don't be a snob about it I think. It's a bit like well-done steak. I'm not a fan of that but if that's what you want!

Find Eric's Pizza in Thornham, Norfolk, Eric's Fish & Chips in Thornham and Holt, Norfolk and Saint Ives, Cambridgeshire and Titchwell Manor in Titchwell, Norfolk.

Instagram: @erics__pizza

Facebook: Eric's Pizza