Dinner and a Dough Show
The Dough Show feeter wizard flips dough that almost covers him as it comes down
If you like your food with a bit of theater, The Dough Show in Tampa has your ticket. The restaurant is situated in a strip center along busy Fowler Avenue, across from the University of South Florida. It's among a dozen or so pizza places within a square mile of one another, but what sets this one apart is that it serves Egyptian pizza known as feteer pie created by a dough-tossing chef. While many pizza joints toss the precooked crust in the air to stretch and shape it, the dough here practically envelops the chef on its descent, making quite a spectacle. He then stretches the dough until it is paper-thin, folds it repeatedly, and layers it generously with ghee (clarified butter). The layering creates a delicate, crispy, and flaky texture after baking. After adding the other ingredients, such as cheese, green pepper, tomato, and custom fillings, he folds the top over, finishes shaping it, and places it in a custom-built, gas-fired stone oven. What results is a 12-inch stuffed buttery disc of gooey goodness.
Feeter dough is rolled out before tossing
Dough for the Egyptian pizza starts with flour, salt and water, and is tossed until paper thin
Custom ingredients are added to the standard cheese, green pepper, tomato
Finished feeters go into a gas-fired brick oven for baking
The baked Chicken Shawarma Feeter is cut into squares for bite-sized dipping and eating
Chicken Shwarma Feeter with buttery dough outside and gooey ingredients inside
There are variations on a theme on the menu. Some of the same items in their feeters are also available as bowls and wraps, such as chicken and beef shawarma, lamb and chicken kofta, to name a few. Kofta is akin to meatloaf, made from ground or minced meat mixed with fresh herbs and spices, and cooked in various ways. We order the chicken served with baba ghanoush (a roasted eggplant dish) and tabouleh, accompanied by a side of fries.
Chicken Kofta, Baba Ghanoush, Tabouleh
Kofta is akin to meatloaf, made from ground or minced meat mixed with fresh herbs and spices, and cooked
Dough Show offers three sauces: tahini, tzatziki, and garlic. They are thinner and less flavorful than some of their Mediterranean counterparts, but they add a nice creaminess to the bite.
Don’t forget dessert. Feeters are also available stuffed with sweets. Think of it: a warm, buttery crust filled with cream, honey, mixed nuts, Nutella, or a variety of other delights. But the star of this production is the Dough Show Dessert. It is served parfait style, layered with rice pudding, Nutella, kunafe (thin strands of sweet, crispy pastry dough), pistachios, and strawberries. It is light, sweet, and the perfect end to this Egyptian adventure.
Layers of the Dough Show Dessert served parfait style
A Bite of The Dough Show Dessert shows layers of sweet, crunchy goodness, with Nutella, pistachios, and kunafe .
The vibe here is quintessential college student, with a bright, modern interior, Egyptian music playing in the background, and free Wi-Fi. Parking is easy, the staff is friendly, and the prices are moderate. USF students receive a 10% discount.
If you're in the mood for pizza and ready to try something out of the ordinary, The Dough Show delivers a delicious, showy surprise.
5103 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. (813) 980-1270. Saturday - Thursday 11:00 - 11:00, Friday 9:00 - 11:00