Pizza from Bangkok now available in Grayton Beach

From Bangkok to Grayton Beach, South Walton is now is home to a world-traveling pizza recipe.

When Jeffrey Fehr opened The Pickle Factory in Mystic Porte last month, he was reviving the name of the establishment he opened in Bangkok, Thailand 10 years ago. Only exception is, this time, no pickles.

Fehr is again offering his famous pizzas, which were named "best pizza in Bangkok" by the largest English language magazine there, beating out Pizza Hut.

These pies are no run-of-the-mill pizzas and most are like none the Italians have seen, but that just opens the door to Fehr's imagination.

The menu offers 15 exotic varieties, including Alla Vodka, Crab and Tomato, Laughing Cow, Margarita, Poor Man's Lobster, Prawn and Sundried Tomato, Red White and Blue, as well as the Pickle Factory Special featuring sauerkraut. The remainder is for the purists who want it Italian style.

While most folks wrinkle their noses to hear of a pizza made with sauerkraut, Fehr swears that if you try it, it will be your favorite.

Fehr opened his Pickle Factory in Bangkok, where he lived for 12 years, when he couldn't find pickles there that he liked. He began to make his own and sell them. They became so popular that he began making them for Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood restaurants.

"In Bangkok, it turned into a combination restaurant/bakery/pickle factory," he said. "This time, I wanted to downsize, keep it simple and focus on the pizza and eventually a bakery for desserts."

He also talks of eventually expanding to add Thai food to the menu.

The former occupants at his Grayton Beach location, ironically, operated a Thai café.

Fehr makes his own sauce and dough in house. He said the key is a very thin crust baked in a brick oven at very high temperatures, which results in a cracker-like crust. The open kitchen concept allows diners to be able to watch the pizzas being made, including the iconic tossing of the dough in the air.

Also available from the menu are beer and wine, three varieties of salads and two appetizers, one of which is named "Moon Pie." Moon Pie is baked foccia bread topped with pesto sauce.

Fehr followed his folks to South Walton two years ago. His father, Leroy Fehr, did some of the artwork hanging on the walls, put down the vintage hardwood floor, and built the bar.

"We redid the entire place," said Fehr of the establishment he furnished in a laid-back speakeasy style. Comfortable sofas, chairs and coffee tables mingle homily with the two dining tables, inviting folks to hang around.

When the small bar fills up, expect to see Fehr's co-chef O.J. Melton take off his apron, pick up a guitar and do a little strumming and singing.

"I always liked 30A and wanted to be its neighborhood pizzeria. There's nothing else like it around here," he said.

The Pickle Factory is open from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 5 p.m. - close seven days a week. Close is whenever folks leave, said Fehr, which is usually by 10 or 11 p.m. Fehr gives a locals' discount of 10 percent. Call (850) 231-1290.