By Becky Billingsley

Thursday, June 20, 2012, Myrtle Beach - Sherry Panks is making fresh recipes daily to produce a New York-style pizza she is selling for $1 per slice.

Those large $1 slices at the new Sands Pizza & More can have multiple toppings, with a maximum 50-cent charge for the extra toppings. A slice of cheese pizza and a drink will set diners back for $2.21, tax included.

The restaurant is in the J. Mike Plaza off S.C. 707, in the Burgess/St. James area of Horry County. Panks said she moved to the Grand Strand from North Carolina because she really loves this part of the coast.

Her pizza-making skills were learned from mentors who owned a genuine New York pizzeria and deli for 30 years. She has a secret dough recipe she makes daily to produce pizzas with a light and airy back crust and a soft bottom crust. Cheese slices are foldable, but with several toppings added they're a bit harder to fold.

If someone wants their bottom crust crispy, Panks said, all they have to do is ask.

Prices for whole pizzas start at $5 for a personal-size 8-inch cheese pizza, and go up to $17.50 for a large 16-inch Mexican pizza with black olives, bell peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes, onions, Cheddar cheese, sausage, pepperoni and salsa. Other specialty pizzas include Veggie, Hawaiian, Barbecue Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and White with garlic oil, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses and sliced tomatoes.

She also makes the dough for Calzone and Stromboli crusts, and says many customers who lived up north said hers are the best they've tasted.

Other menu items include Pizza Rolls, Steak Rolls and Chicken Rolls for $7.50; 6- and 12-inch hot and cold subs for $4.50-$8; salads from $6-$8 such as Taco Salad, Caesar, Chef and Antipasto; and finger foods including Bruschetta, Stuffed Dough Balls, Wings and Garlic Bread.

Panks also makes a few Mexican meals served with beans and rice, like Wet Burrito, Nachos, Tacos and Chicken Quesadilla. If soft- or hard-shell tacos are ordered a la carte, they are $1 each.

Meals can end with New York-style Cheesecake, Cannolis or Chocolate Cake.

"We're kid-friendly and family oriented," Panks said at the restaurant on June 19. "I'm looking forward to working with the community, such as sports boosters and students. I intend to be part of the community."

Sands Pizza & More is at 8724 S.C. 707 in Myrtle Beach, and the number is (843) 650-9707. It's open from noon to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 3-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free delivery is available after 4 p.m.