Best Pizza?

[mr_canoehead]

I have been on a quest for great pizza for some time. In Winnipeg, my favourite is Loona Rosa (Hearty, thick, loaded with toppings - The feta/olive/tomato Greek is especially good). Other notables are Casa Grande and Mona Lisa.

Does anybody have any suggestions on other great pizzas; particularly in Western Canada?

[wpg]

Have you tried Romani on Pembina ?

[nonlinear]

Gondola Pizza in calgary has winnipeg-style thin crust (if that's what you're looking for)

[John Manzo]

I finally gave Gondola a try last week- it was good, and I can honestly say I've never had a thin crust quite like it- it's pastry, kind of like pie crust. I'm in Calgary and they do have a few locations here but my understanding is that they're a Winnipeg institution.

[bogie]

I went to boarding school in Winnipeg. Our go-to pizzas were Tony's on Pembina (I understand it has been through several ownership changes over the years, I wonder how good it still is?) for thin crust. We also enjoyed another place on Pembina, Garwood Grill, which is a greasy spoon that serves thick, gooey, cheesy delicious pies. Gondola Pizza was a last resort for us, I'm afraid. A recent visit back to Winnipeg confirmed that they haven't improved at all over the last 20 years either!

[GaryR]

I can definitely second the Garwood Grill on Pembina Hwy in Winnipeg. It seems like a lifetime ago since I was last there, but I remember the Garwood as the only place our college crowd considered for late night gooooood pizza, even though it was not near the college. If they're still there and still making those same pies, they're probably busier than ever in their less than stellar surroundings. I'd go for one tonight if I still lived in the 'peg! - Mrs. GaryR

[nateloaf]

If you like a good Winnipeg-style thin crust Pizza sort of like Gondola,before they started to suck. I reccommend Pizzaland. They have locations on Main Street and Portage ave. Their prices are great and the thin crust pizza is the best I've had. I must admit, I used to love Gondola Pizza as well, but they have gone steadily downhill somehow. They are also a bit pricey last time I checked. I fondly remember the weird white-pepper-based spice they used to have in shakers on their tables. That stuff was great!

[cheese bit]

Best Winnipeg Pizza is Mr.B's in Transcona. No really. The best in Winnipeg. Try it.
They raise the bar several feet above most of the pizza sold in Wpg.

[lindalilly0]

Dear Nateloaf,

I just read your email about Gondola pizza and the white spice. I am also a fan of that spice. One can purchase it at any Gondola pizza restaurant. It is called Chili powder. A bit pricey but I add it to lots of my own home made pizza for that 'Gondola' taste. Just thought that you might like to know. Linda in Winnipeg

[easily amused]

Tried Pizzaland for the first time last week. Yummy plus, very similar to Gondola. Lots of topping ( Suzie's special) Prices were much better than Gondola. Thin crust was really good. Will definitely try it again. Thanks for the Rec!

[Roberto7]

Here are my top 3 for Winnipeg, in no particular order:

Chicago Phil's Pizza
70 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB
[phone]

Chicago Phil's has an outstanding deep-dish pizza. Their regular pizza is just OK, but the deep-dish is outstanding and also very hard to find in Winnipeg. Delivery and take-out only (no dine-in).

Mr. B's Pizza & Chicken
1311 Day Street
Winnipeg, MB
[phone]

Mr. B's is a great pizza, especially anything with their amazing bacon. Their bacon is actually chopped ham-hock (ankle joint meat). I've had this pizza for 17 years and agree that it is top 5 in Winnipeg. I recommend the "RP Special" for anyone that loves a lot of meat on their pizza. Delivery, take-out, and dine-in (very modest neighborhood restaurant decor).

Mona Lisa Ristorante Italiano
1697 Corydon Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
[phone]

Mona Lisa is a great pizza place. Avoid the Tuesday/Wednesday $10 special pizzas (large 2 topping), instead, order off the full price menu. My favorite is "The Predatore" (pep, bacon, salami, capicollo, calabrese sausage & ham). Delivery, take-out, and dine-in (very nice patio and indoor decor for dine-in).

[blackpowdermorning]

On my own personal quest for great pizza in Winnipeg, I have taken a great many recommendations from this board, as well as others. My absolute fave pizza in the city, is House of Pizza on Pembina. Best thin crust EVER. Cheese is tasty, sauce is REALLY good, and toppings are, average, but on an amazing crust with a good amount of sauce (I like em a little saucier than traditional italian pizzas),... it's mmmmmmm.

The thin crust is REAL tin, and crispy, almost like a thicker phyllo pastry. I'll bet it's not everybodies cup of tea... but I likes it.

[Elishabella]

The very best pizza I have ever eaten is in a little named Yarrow, Yarrow Pizza & Pasta is the name 42116 Yarrow Central. RD. Chiliwack BC . I would of loved to attach a photo but there is nothing left not even the crust it was that good. A large with the works cost 23.95 it was so hot and golden brown on top at first I thought that they burned it, but the cheese that they use was the best I have ever eaten and no grease when was the last time you had a pizza without grease of some kind. Put this place on your bucket list. I can not wait to go back there.

[sojo16]

I have to give a shout out to Pizzeria Gusto on Academy. Yes, it's really fancy and located in snotty River Heights. You're not going to know what some of the toppings are, they're so obscurely Italian. And, of course, it ain't cheap. But it's really good pizza. The crust is this perfect thin chewyness. I keep having the margherita because it's everything I want in a pizza.

[blackpowdermorning]

I disagree in taste about this Pizzeria Gusto. I find the pizzas to be pretentious, and bland. Not to mention... price was a bit .... much, and it's a bit of a snooty atmosphere.

I did, however, have a Caprese type salad, and it was excellent.

[dooflaer]

Since when is pretentious a flavour? If that's what Gusto's pizza tastes like, then consider me a fan of pretentious tasting pizza. Snooty? It's a nice restaurant...so what?

To me, this is what pizza is. This is the real sh*t, like they eat in Italy. Everything else in town is bastardized American-style. If you like pizza, live in Winnipeg and haven't checked out Gusto yet, you owe it to yourself to pay the little bit extra. The margherita is amazing in its classic-ness and the one (forget its name) with prosciutto, fig jam and arugula is out of this world. As far from bland as you can get.

Mmmmm, pretentious flavour.

[pxkid]

Has anyone tried vasilly's pizza on Stadacona street north of Louise bridge?
I've driven by but yet to have gone in. I've read on their website that the owner
is from Brooklyn and they have authentic New York style pizza.