Meet Billy: a foodie, adventure-seeking flight attendant, local restaurant explorer

Hello, Macon! Allow me to introduce myself. In short: My name is Billy, and I really like to eat. 

I think those are the two most important things to know as we embark on a culinary journey together. This new column, an exclusive to The Macon Melody, is called “Billy’s Let’s Eat Review,” and together, we’ll be visiting Macon’s restaurants.

You’re probably thinking to yourself: What’s the big deal? Another food critic? Another food blogger? Well, I’m not a food critic or a writer. I’m actually a flight attendant and have been traveling the world for 36 years.

My career has taken me across the globe. (Fun fact: Did you know that they deep fry spiders and snakes in China — and it’s considered a delicacy?! I’m happy to say I never tried it, and I’ve come to terms with that.)

When I come home, I’m all about quality comfort food in great environments — and food I actually recognize! 

I moved to Macon from Orlando in April 2025. Orlando is the chain restaurant capital of the world (or so it seems). Imagine how excited I was to discover Macon has so many privately-run, family-operated restaurants.

I joined the “Support Macon Restaurants” Facebook group the same day I moved here — and I quickly discovered the breadth of Macon’s eateries and the passion Maconites have for their favorite restaurants.

It didn’t take long before I followed the advice of my new neighbors and visited some outstanding spots. To show my appreciation for all the recommendations offered to me, I started writing reviews of my experiences. 

My first “Billy’s Let’s Eat Review” was of Ole Times Country Buffet on Gray Highway, and it reached nearly 800 likes within the first day. People love talking about food spots, and I’m happy to oblige!

I hope my writing gives you a fresh pair of eyes on Macon’s eating and drinking scene. After all, you may have been born and raised here, but now, I hope to offer you a newbie’s point of view on dining in our fine city.

Billy dines at Mercer Village Pizza

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to walk into an old-world pizzeria that somehow landed right in the heart of Macon — Mercer Village Pizza is that place. 

The second you open the door, the aroma of fresh dough and smoky wings hits you like a warm hug from your Italian grandma.

Opened in April of 2024, Mercer Village Pizza is exactly what a family pizza joint should be … rustic, cozy and spotless. Joe, the owner, runs the show himself. He’s a Warner Robins native who’s as hands-on as they come, greeting every single customer like an old friend.

Joe told me his favorite pizza is the MVP and his favorite wing sauce is the Bourbon Peach, though crowd favorites tell another story. 

The top-selling pizza is the Peachy Keen (which also happens to be my personal favorite), and the number one wing flavor is Lemon Yaki.

Let’s talk about the real star of the show: the pizza dough. Joe makes his dough in small batches several times a day using a Neapolitan recipe, and you can literally taste the freshness in every bite. It’s light, flavorful and has that perfect chew that lets you know this isn’t some mass produced pizza base — it’s crafted.

Now, about those wings. I don’t say this lightly: these are the best wings I’ve ever had. They’re smoked in-house, perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy inside and packed with flavor. Whether you’re a sauce lover or a purist, you’ll find something to love.

Mercer Village Pizza sits right alongside Mercer University’s campus, which makes it the perfect spot to catch a football game, grab a cold beer and dive into a plate of pizza or wings. They’ve got indoor and outdoor seating, and if you’d rather eat at home, they deliver and offer takeout too.

Joe isn’t just about running a restaurant, he’s about building community. He hosts field trips for local schools where he teaches kids how to make pizza, but he also slips in a little math and science to show them how it all works. As a dad himself, he knows exactly how to keep them engaged (and fed).

Before I left, I watched the kitchen team work, and it was like watching a perfectly choreographed ballet. Dough spinning, toppings flying, pizzas sliding into the oven with precision — it’s a dance, and everyone in that kitchen knows their steps.

Mercer Village Pizza isn’t just another pizza joint. It’s a neighborhood favorite, run by people who genuinely care about what and who they serve. Whether you’re a Mercer student, a local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and stop by.

Billy Hennessey is new to Macon and excited to share his viewpoints on the city’s eateries. He’ll be visiting spots around Bibb County and highlighting them each week in The Melody. Send column feedback — or suggestions for places to try — to Billy through news@MaconMelody.com.