It might not come as a shock that the classic hamburger is the most popular food in the United States.
But can you guess what comes in second place? If you said pizza, you’re absolutely right. That’s amore! And that love holds true in South Florida as well, especially with so many pizza-loving Italians – many by way of New York – living here. We just can’t get enough ’za, although, when it comes to how it’s prepared, we all have our preferences. Some swear by New York style, while many say the Chicago variety is the ultimate. Still others prefer the filling, thick-crusted squares of Roman pizza. And then there are folks so particular they want to build their own.
No matter which kind of pizza person you are, find your perfect pie at the following South Florida restaurants.
Gluten Free
Mellow Mushroom
Delray Beach
A pizzeria oozing a groovy 1970s vibe, Mellow Mushroom has been a local favorite for more than a decade. Pop artist Howie Green created the specialty pieces in the restaurant, spotlighting album covers from rock legends. Stone-baked pizzas come with a choice of 10 cheeses and more than 30 ingredients – and, if you prefer a gluten-free pie, this place is nirvana. The Mellow crew has been trained to prevent cross-contamination of gluten-free dishes by preparing them in a separate area using dedicated cooking utensils and ingredients.
Info: mellowmushroom.com
The Mellow crew has been trained to prevent cross-contamination of gluten-free dishes.
Neapolitan Style
Louie Bossi’s
Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale
Chef Louie Bossi’s Boca ristorante, an indoor-outdoor eatery adjacent to the Hyatt Place Hotel, drips with retro Italian décor, including stone gargoyles, a bocce ball court and a rare Vespa with two sidecars. But the main attraction is wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, with a choice of white or red sauce, baked in a 900º wood-burning oven. The wet sourdough turns into a thin, chewy crust and delivers a strong smoky flavor. Choose from more than a dozen varieties, including the classic Margherita, layered with San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, sea salt and imported fior de latte (cow’s milk mozzarella).
Info: louiebossi.com
The main attraction is wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, baked in a 900º wood-burning oven.
Sicilian Style
Sicilian Oven
Various South Florida locations
Sicilian Oven, a local chain, was baked up by Andrew Garavuso, a former pizzamaker at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, and Ralph DiSalvo, of DiSalvo’s Pizzeria in Hollywood. Their recipes have been handed down through generations. The thick pies come with a chewy, browned crust and the perfect amount of caramelized char around the edges. While many Sicilian pizzas are square – and you can get those there – most at Sicilian Oven are round and made with fresh dough, imported Italian tomatoes and Grande mozzarella (made with whole milk for a soft, creamy texture). Although the place often gets packed, pizzas can be turned out quickly thanks to two wood ovens.
Info: sicilianoven.com
The thick pies come with a chewy, browned crust and the perfect amount of caramelized char.
New York Style
Manhattan Joe’s Pizzeria
Boca Raton
Joe Chiapetta launched his pizza business in New York City and Beverly Hills before bringing Manhattan Joe’s to Boca Raton about nine years ago (there are now two Boca locations). The inviting aroma of fresh-baked cheese and garlic wafting from the oven draws legions of loyal customers (many with Big Apple roots), who sometimes wait in line just for a single slice. It’s worth it: Chiapetta’s New York-style pizzas are generously sized; have a thin, hand-tossed crust that’s thick and crispy along the edges; and are covered in savory sauce and your choice of 15 toppings. Many say it’s the best New York-style pizza around. Everything on the menu – including the must-try garlic knots – is made with fresh ingredients.
Info: manhattanjoespizzeria.com
Legions of loyal customers (many with Big Apple roots) sometimes wait in line just for a single slice.
Chicago Style
Villa Rose Pizza
Hollywood
A small mom-and-pop business since 1957, the pies at Villa Rose Pizza are Chicago-style thin crust – that’s right, not all Chicagoans prefer deep dish – and fans claim the plain cheese pie is unbeatable. Pizzas are cut into squares and have a smooth layer of herb-flecked tomato sauce under a thin blanket of bubbly melted cheese. While thin, the crust is pliant and chewy without charred edges. Many variations and toppings are available, but one of the most popular is the Villa Rose Special, with sausage, mushroom, onion and green pepper. The surroundings are casual and the parking lot is small, but the food and service have made this one of the longest-running pizzerias in Broward County.
Info: villarosepizza.com
The food and service have made this one of the longest-running pizzerias in Broward County.
New Haven Style
Nick’s New Haven Style Pizzeria & Bar
Boca Raton and Coral Springs
Since Nick Laudano and Anthony Giovanniello opened Nick’s New Haven Pizzeria in Boca in 2011, their pizza has frequently been recognized on top 10 lists in South Florida. With walls decorated with vintage newspaper ads, the restaurant prefers to call its pies “apizza,” just like the Neapolitan-style pizza common in New Haven, Connecticut. The crust is thin and heated to about 750º in a coal-fired oven. Nick’s specialty is an 18-inch pie with white clams. Other New Haven favorites can be found on the menu, including Hummel hot dogs, served on a New England cut roll, and Foxon Park soda, crafted since 1922 in flavors such as White Birch and Gassosa.
Info: nickspizzeriabar.com
Nick’s prefers to call its pies “apizza,” just like the Neapolitan-style pizza common in New Haven, Connecticut.
DIY
Blaze Pizza
Various South Florida locations
You can design your pie and eat it, too, at Blaze Pizza, where you select the crust, sauce, cheese and toppings in an assembly line akin to Chipotle. Flavor combinations are endless, and those with special diets will appreciate the gluten-free and keto crust options. Pizzas – comprising made-from-scratch dough and artisanal ingredients – are fired for 180 seconds in a blazing oven while you wait. They emerge with a perfectly crisp crust. And what sweeter finish to your meal than another pie? By that, of course, we mean the S’more pie, with chocolate and marshmallow sandwiched between graham cracker cookies.
Info: blazepizza.com
At Blaze Pizza, you select the crust, sauce, cheese and toppings in an assembly line akin to Chipotle.
Roman Style
Pizza Rustica
Various South Florida locations
A chain based in Miami Beach, Pizza Rustica is the creation of Pino Pirosa, an Italian immigrant who established his first store in Miami in 1996. Since then, he has opened 13 more locations, and the company wins numerous local and national awards annually. Early on, Pirosa saw a need for affordable pizza by the slice with fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as San Marzano tomatoes and seasonal produce. His Roman-style pies (available in more than 35 varieties) are thick-crusted and square, with dough and sauce that’s made from scratch on the premises. At the Delray Beach location, most customers grab a slice on the run (or as a late-night snack).
Info: pizza-rustica.com
Pino Pirosa saw a need for affordable pizza by the slice with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Coal Fired
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
Various South Florida locations
Started as a single restaurant in 2002, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza now has 60 locations across the country, including two in Boca Raton. Founder Anthony Bruno grew up in a traditional Italian family on Long Island. When he moved to Florida, he couldn’t find a pizza to his liking, so he made his own. Armed with old family recipes, he opened his first location in Fort Lauderdale, introducing coal-fired pizza with its “well-done” taste to South Florida. Dough is made fresh daily, and plum tomatoes are imported from Italy. A top seller is the Eggplant Marino Pizza, named for Dolphins legend Dan Marino, a partner in the chain. It’s topped with thin-sliced eggplant, tomato sauce, grated Romano and fresh basil.
Info: acfp.com O
Armed with old family recipes, Anthony Bruno introduced coal-fired pizza with its “well-done” taste to South Florida.
Mellow Mushroom photos and header photo by Greg DuPree; Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza photo by Andrew Meade