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Fairway Pizza Moves From East Lake To Palm Harbor

Mark Schantz/SUNCOAST

Karen Donnelly, far left, Fairway Pizza Sports Page Pub manager, holds one of its famous Greek salads, as, from second from left, Stacey Hale, Alexis Anderson and Heather Burnette shows one of the eateries specialty pizzas.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 1, 2008

PALM HARBOR - After 26 years of being a mecca for lovers of cheesy, topping-filled pizza in a small East Lake storefront, Fairway Pizza has relocated to much larger haunts in Palm Harbor.

Just a few weeks ago long-time Fairway owners, Steve and Katie Jefferis, relocated their popular pizzeria to the site of former Red Fish, Blue Fish restaurant, transforming it into Fairway Pizza Sports Page Pub.

The Italian eatery expanded from just about 20 seats to more than 200, with two large inside dining areas, a covered deck, outside patio, and full bars both inside and out. Wide screen televisions line the ceilings and sports memorabilia fill the walls.

Karen Donnelly, Fairway manager, said the eatery can now offer more amenities to those who have come to know its pizza, Italian specialties and famous Greek salads.

"It's great to see all our regular loyal customers who are willing to travel the short distance from our old location to Alt. 19 in Palm Harbor," just south of Alderman Road, Donnelly said.

For more than two decades those who moved into East Lake were immediately directed by long-time residents to Fairway as a great place to eat, she said.

Joan Maher, a long-time Fairway customer, said Fairway's East Lake following "will just have to car pool over to Palm Harbor, but it will be worth it."

It is nice to see this addition to Palm Harbor, an area that has lost meeting places like Ale House and Crabby Bills over the years, Maher added.

Donnelly said many new faces from Palm Harbor have come into welcome them. Many have heard about Fairway pizza from friends.

It's the fresh, homemade ingredients that make the food so good, she said.

Live entertainment will soon be featured on Friday and Saturday nights. Every day, all the sporting events will be featured on the wide-screen TV's, including NFL ticket and other contests.

"Fairway is a casual, family-oriented sports pizza restaurant. Our prices are very affordable and that is what people are looking for in this economy," said Donnelly, who with many of the staff remained from the former Caribbean style restaurant.

Regular cheese pizza ranges from $6.79 for a small to $10.99 for a large 15-inch. Toppings are slightly extra. Spaghetti dinner is $7.69, Fettuccine Alfredo $7.79, chicken or eggplant parmesan, lasagna or stuffed shells is $9.99.

Fairway is also famous for its Greek salad that ranges from $5.29 for a small to $7.49 for a large.

Happy hour bar specials are 4 - 7 p.m.

Donnelly said the restaurant was redesigned, largely by staffers, in just a few weeks. Garish Caribbean colors were removed for a more sports pub design. The bar was expanded so available brands are more visible.

"We are all very happy to be here and it shows," she said.

Delivery will soon be available but only in a 5-mile radius.

Fairway's telephone number has changed to 727-772-7060.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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