• Known for its star-shaped signature pizzas, Mister O1, which started out in Miami in 2014, is opening its first location in Dallas on October 17.
• Founder Renato Viola was apprenticing with Italy’s best chefs at the age of 11 and was granted a special visa by the U.S. due to his “extraordinary artistic ability.”

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Mister O1, the Miami-born artisanal pizza concept, will open its first Texas location in Dallas next week, showcasing recipes created by founder and master pizzaiolo Renato Viola.

It will open on Monday, October 17, at 3838 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite P175, in Dallas.

The full-service neighborhood restaurant offers a selection of artisanal pies boasting a delicate thin crust and very light dough, which is prepared and rested for at least 72 hours. The dough and sauce contain no sugar or preservatives, and most ingredients are sourced from Italy or from local vendors, the company said in a press release.

Viola was raised in Southern Italy, where he developed a passion for cooking at a young age; by 11 years old, he was apprenticing with some of Italy’s best chefs.

He moved to Miami under the O1 Visa category, reserved for those with “extraordinary artistic ability” of international acclaim, and opened the first location of Mister O1 in 2014. Mister O1 has since grown to 13 locations. In 2021, the concept was singled out for offering the best pizza in Florida by Food & Wine.

“We are always focused on providing our guests with an extraordinary experience, from our thoughtfully crafted pizzas to our Italian wine offerings to the warm hospitality, when dining at Mister O1,” Viola said.

Dallas franchise partners for Mister O1 have extensive restaurant and franchise backgrounds. They include Dallas local John LaBarge, the former senior vice president of operations and franchise business at Corner Bakery Cafe.

The menu features 13-inch traditional and specialty pizzas as well as calzones, salads and an antipasti and burrata bar. Select traditional and specialty pizzas are offered in 8 inches as well.

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Some of the traditional pizza options include the Bella Margherita, Pepperoni, Sausage, featuring Jimmy’s Italian sausage, and the Meat Lovers. Specialty pizzas include the Alessandra Jalapeño (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh mushrooms, avocado and jalapeño); il Pescatore (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, tuna, anchovies and red onions); and the Fabio (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola blue cheese, speck and white truffle oil.)

Mister O1’s signature extraordinary pizzas are offered in a 13-inch size with standouts such as the Star Carlos (a star-shaped pizza with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, chorizo, fresh tomatoes, arugula, avocado, Italian parmesan and jalapeño sauce); the Star Beckham (star-shaped pizza with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, bacon, onions, fresh tomatoes, ranch dressing and basil); the Coffee Paolo (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola blue cheese, natural honey, coffee and spicy salami calabrese); the Star Luca (star-shaped pizza with ricotta cheese, spicy salami calabrese, mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce and basil); and the Claudio (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh burrata stracciatella cheese, white truffle oil and basil).

Calzone options include the Calzone Onju (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, ricotta cheese, Calabrian spicy salami and basil); the Calzone Mauro (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, Jimmy’s Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham and bacon); and the Calzone Giorgio (Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, roasted peppers, spinach, fresh mushrooms and basil).

The menu also features a selection of salads, plus red, white and sparkling Italian wines by the glass and bottle and the popular Italian beer, Peroni. The wines were carefully selected to complement the Mister O1 menu, Viola said. “To us, Italy is synonymous with quality. At Mister 01 we focus on quality as well as simplicity to create a delicious product, and our wine menu reflects this.”

The 2,800-square-foot space seats 60 people inside with patio seating for 20. The design is modern and trendy with a casual, comfortable feel.