Old County Inn is a wood-fired pizzeria nestled in a meadow in the small mountain town of Pine, Arizona. For those unfamiliar with the area, picture a small, cute, extraordinarily friendly town just about 20 minutes up a windy road from Payson. Upon arriving in town, you’re greeted by rows of tall, mature pine trees and crisp mountain air. Just off the side of the road as you enter town is one of our favorite AZ Pizza joints, Old County Inn. Visitors are greeted with smoke billowing out of the chimney and smells of a wood-fired food wafting through the mountain air.
Old County Inn is an Arizona destination built on bringing fresh, chef-driven food with a simple philosophy: great food doesn’t have to be stuffy or expensive, it should be made for all to enjoy. Every day the wood-burning oven is fired up, chefs prepare the made-to-order meals, often using local ingredients. Their servings are generous and all food is scratch-made, from the pizza toppings to the fruit juices they use in their cocktails.
If the food at Old County Inn wasn’t enough to impress you, the beverage program will surely do the trick. Those looking to imbibe can choose from several local & regional beers (think AZ titans like Wren House, Helton, and more) & several local wines. Old County Inn uniquely has wine on tap, making for a guaranteed fresh glass of vino. As mentioned before, the cocktail program uses a slew of freshly made juices.
What may be as special as the food at Old County Inn is how time seems to slow because of the laid back vibes and beautiful scenery. Don’t get me wrong, if you arrive during a rush on a spring day you might end up with over an hour wait for a table, but don’t let that stop you from crossing the patio to get a drink inside their epic taproom. Speaking of the patio, you’ll find plenty of things to keep you busy as you wait for your table, including cornhole, connect four, and the beautiful views of rim country. On most evenings, you’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of live music permeating through the pines.
There is no way to go wrong with what you order, but there are a few standout dishes we love. For starters, the green chili beer cheese is a knockout! The addictive cheesy goodness is served with wood-fired breadsticks that are absolutely knee-buckling. If we’re talking pizzas and what to order, don’t second guess a classic pizza from OCI, or a Meat Pie. Looking for a unique pizza experience? Check out the Pancho, an Old County Inn signature pizza featuring organic tomato sauce, mozzarella, wood-fire roasted pork, green chile, pancho sauce, and cilantro-serrano pesto.
Take my word for it, if you’re someone who seeks tranquil vibes and a getaway that features great food & drinks, chill vibes, and a chance to escape the heat to take in crisp mountain air- a trip to Old county inn, in Pine, AZ is the trip for you! Pro tip: for those dual family vacations: visit: @Glowingpines on Instagram.
Written by Steven Larson
Photography by Luke Irvin