22 PIZZA & SHAKES

Hiding in plain sight in Southend-on-Sea, 22 PIZZA & SHAKES has quietly built a loyal following that belies its modest 44 reviews — those 44 are a near-perfect 4.7/5, which tells you everything about the quality coming out of this compact takeaway operation. While its December 2025 Food Hygiene Rating of 3 (Generally Satisfactory) suggests room for improvement, locals who've discovered it keep coming back for the kind of pizza that doesn't need gimmicks. This is proper, well-executed pizza from a place that clearly cares about what lands in the box.

The cooking here leans toward the classic American-Italian style, with generous toppings and a crust that strikes that ideal balance between crisp and chewy. Their signature pizzas arrive loaded and satisfying — think pepperoni with a proper curl, or a Margherita that lets good mozzarella do the talking. The shakes, as the name promises, are thick, creamy, and the perfect counterpoint to a slice. Whether you're ordering for a night in or grabbing a quick fix, 22 PIZZA & SHAKES delivers consistent, unfussy pizza that punches above its weight in Southend's takeaway scene.