A missing ingredient

Owner of new My Goodness Pizza and Burgers Danny Debattista said he had felt Southbank had been lacking a casual and quality dining option for some time. And judging by the local response since the store’s opening late last year, he’s spot on.

Danny said the business had been well received for its easy menu and relaxed environment. “I just thought this was missing from Southbank there’s nothing around here like this. It just needed to have something for the locals,” he said. “It needed that price bracket around here of not having to go and spend $30 or $40 on a main course and to be able to come into a relaxed environment and get out of your apartment for a burger or a pizza.” The Southbank store is Danny’s second, having operated My Goodness Pizza on St Kilda Rd for more than eight years.

He said he had been determined to set up shop at the City Rd location having attempted for the best part of the last four years to lease out what was formerly a storeroom.  

“I saw the site and it was a storeroom that used to be offices and I just thought it was the perfect site to put My Goodness Pizza and Burgers,” he said.

“The street frontage, the accessibility for all the apartments and for us to be able to deliver to Port Melbourne and the city and get in and out is perfect.” While My Goodness has built its reputation on delicious gourmet pizzas at St Kilda Rd for many years, it has introduced burgers exclusively to its Southbank store.

Danny said everything on its menu was made with the most quality ingredients from the Cape Grim wagyu beef and free-range chicken in its burgers to the Bertocchi ham and salami and fresh vegetables on its pizzas. Beyond pizzas and burgers, the menu also offers a delicious range of baked potatoes, salads and deserts as well as ribs, bruschetta and its famous waffle fries.

  As a chef with a passion for fine quality food himself, Danny said the business’s approach was to serve the customer with what it would serve family.  

“My motto has been right from the start to use the best ingredients on our pizzas and burgers – it’s as if you came to my house for dinner or lunch,” he said.

“We don’t use any cheap ingredients and I use what I would cook at home for my friends and family.

That’s the standard.” As well as delicious food, My Goodness also provides plenty of options for customers to quench their thirst with a variety of fresh juices and smoothies, craft beer, spirits and wines. The business has always placed a big emphasis on giving back through regular charity initiatives and events and Danny said it looked forward to engaging more with the local community in Southbank. “We’ve tried to make it as comfortable as possible.

We get a lot of repeat business and that’s the main thing. Then you’ve got all of the travellers as well,” he said.

“We want to be here for a long time and we want to be a part of the community and give back.” My Goodness Pizza and Burgers is located at 186 City Rd.

For more information visit mygoodnesspizza.com.au