Beloved Huntsville Pizzeria ‘The Boot’ Bids Farewell After 12 Years but the Story Isn’t Over Yet
Huntsville’s food scene is about to lose one of its most heartfelt fixtures. After twelve flavorful, laughter-filled years, The Boot Pizzeria, a cozy Italian spot with deep family roots, is closing its doors on October 18, 2025.
@ClaudiasWorkshop 
But for owner Elisa De Baggis, this isn’t an ending. It’s the start of a new chapter, one filled with possibility, courage, and the unmistakable scent of something still cooking.
A Family Legacy Baked in History
The story of The Boot begins long before its first pizza came out of the oven. It’s intertwined with the De Baggis family’s journey and a building that’s seen more reinvention than most.
Back in 1998, Elisa’s parents, Ermanno and Elvira De Baggis, transformed what was once the Sandman Motel on South Memorial Parkway into a warm, welcoming Italian restaurant called Villa Fiore. Ermanno, a retired Italian liaison stationed at Redstone Arsenal, brought with him not just recipes, but a piece of Italy itself. Elisa helped manage the restaurant, served tables, and even taught hands-on cooking classes sharing the kind of culinary wisdom that can’t be learned from a book.
When Villa Fiore closed in 2005, the space shifted identities, becoming home to El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, then Bishop’s Southside Pub & Grill. But in 2013, the story came full circle. The De Baggis family returned, and The Boot Pizzeria was born.
The Boot’s Rise and Its Flavorful Legacy
The Boot wasn’t just another pizza joint it was a love letter to Italy with a Huntsville heartbeat. The menu mixed family tradition with creative flair: Gorgonzola chicken pizza, BBQ sausage pies, and the unforgettable Italian ragu fries.
Their smoked salmon pizza even landed on the list of “11 Creative Alabama Pizzas” in 2016, described as “a posh wedding reception hors d’oeuvre that’s been zapped with a growth ray.” And in 2024, The Boot’s prime rib pizza made the site’s “5 Essential Huntsville Pizzas for Gameday” list, earning high praise for its tender house-smoked beef and that bold drizzle of horseradish sauce “a victory lap on a slice.”
Closing Time and What Comes Next
On October 10, the restaurant shared an emotional post titled “Thank y’all” across social media:
“After 12 beautiful years, The Boot Pizzeria will close on October 18, 2025. Thank you for being part of our story for your loyalty, laughter, and love through the years for good food. Ciao.”
But Elisa’s follow-up comment brought comfort to loyal customers and hinted at exciting things ahead:
She continued, with the resilience of someone who’s built her dream one pizza at a time:
“Change can be scary, but it also means growth and right now, life is serving up many, many good things! I’m not afraid of what’s next. I’m an immigrant living the American dream, and for me, the sky isn’t the limit, it's just the view.”
A Farewell with Heart
Earlier this summer, Fox 54 reported that the property was listed for $2.25 million. That listing has since disappeared, perhaps a sign that Elisa’s next move is already unfolding behind the scenes.
While Huntsville prepares to say goodbye to a local favorite, the spirit of The Boot lingers in every shared meal, every cooking class, and every person inspired by the De Baggis family’s story of perseverance and passion.
Because sometimes, closing a restaurant isn’t about shutting the door. It’s about preheating the oven for whatever comes next.
