129791 Sat Sep 15 11:15:07 -0700 2001 112 10 Florida 0 702692 I've been here for 5 years and can't find any good pizza except on the Beach. Some people like Frankie's. Anyone have any other tips for the city and the south Miami area. Sat Sep 15 11:15:07 -0700 2001 0 cr 1 702696 Pucci's on Lincoln and Alton on the beach is one of my favorites. A UM favorite that also passes muster for me is Casola's on U.S. 1 and 17th Ave (right before I-95). My chowhound Miami pizza expert swears by Slice and Ice, on 1 and Ludlam by Tom Thumb convenience store (yes, next to the Big Cheese. . .their garlic rolls are terrific, but the pizza is so-so). Haven't had Slice and Ice yet, since it opened after I moved north, but I trust his opinion implicitly. Hope these help; let me know what you think, and if you can find any others! Sat Sep 15 16:45:04 -0700 2001 702692 0 Denise K 2 702743 Ah, how fleeting good pizza is. . . Was in Miami this weekend, and tried Slice and Ice for myself. .. under new, sadistic management. . .their pizza tastes just like Sbarro's. . .ugh. Sorry. Mon Oct 01 16:18:13 -0700 2001 702696 0 Denise K. 3 702888 There is a pizza joint in the gables, right on US1, it called Miami's Best Pizza . It used to be called Little Cesars years ago (before the chain existed). This is great homemade, good ingredients pizza, not chain stuff. Their pepperoni is among the best. Give it a try, youll like it. Thu Nov 08 15:51:23 -0800 2001 702743 0 SeñorChow 4 1941357 FYI, I am the former Denise K, and Pucci's is long gone, for those of you looking for it. I'm no longer in Miami, so I can't speak for the other places (though I'm sure Big Cheese is still there. . .) Thu Oct 12 18:00:53 -0700 2006 702888 12858 Covert Ops 2 4822933 I know Denise K's post is ancient by chowhound standards, but there have been a few other recommendations of Casola's pizza. Personally not a fan. If you're just hungry and need calories and aren't feeling too discerning about the flavors, you'll love Casola's. Very generous quantities of toppings and cheese, thick crust. Inexpensive. But not very good. Wed Jul 01 18:19:28 -0700 2009 702696 48389 racer x 1 1941171 There is this really awesome resturant in Coconut Grove, but I cannot remember the name off the top of my head. Heading North on US1 turn right onto Grand Ave. from there go straight down until you see MAINSTREET, and turn. (you can only turn right) You will see a Johnny Rockets on the corner, then next to it will be a door.. then a open pizza cafe. Great pizza! Reminds me of New York! Thu Oct 12 17:11:20 -0700 2006 702692 46442 bellamafia6917 2 4158887 Bellamafia6917 must have meant New York Roma Pizza, which is at the location now. The pizza there is not bad, but Andiamo and Pizzeria Blu are both better. NY Roma also needs to scrub the floors and clean the place up a bit. Sat Nov 08 17:11:18 -0800 2008 1941171 48389 racer x 2 4931480 The restaurant in the Grove you're referring to is Cosoli's.. big greasy late night munchies New York style fold it and munch it on a street corner type pizza. Really good. Cassola's is amazing (SW 17th ave and US1) a lot of people don't even know it's there hidden behind what I believe now is a Citgo gas station. But locals pack in since 1982 and for good reason. Great addictive NY style pizza and subs are the best bets. Sun Aug 09 16:28:07 -0700 2009 1941171 1100421 sunkissed64 3 4931854 Sunkissed, the directions Bellamafia gave for a pizzeria next to Johnny Rockets in the Grove has got to be NY Roma Pizza, in the vicinity of 2985 McFarlane Rd, two doors down from Johnny Rockets (3036 Grand Ave, on the corner of Grand and McFarlane). (I haven't been there since last fall, but you can still see the picture of that pizzeria on google maps streetview.) Sun Aug 09 19:15:55 -0700 2009 4931480 48389 racer x 4 4932733 racer x is right. Its NY Roma Pizza. Besides, Cazzoli's (proper spelling) closed a year or 2 back. It is now Boardwalk Pizza. Mon Aug 10 07:50:50 -0700 2009 4931854 115383 Blind Mind 5 4949034 Proper spelling is "Cozzoli's" Sat Aug 15 12:25:15 -0700 2009 4932733 152667 Ralphie_in_Boston 1 1941887 Just got back from vacation in South Beach. Had a damn good slice of pizza at Pizza Rustica on Lincoln. There's also a store on Washington. Thu Oct 12 20:45:26 -0700 2006 702692 17680 Rondo 2 1946162 Andiamo on Biscayne and 55th-chewy crust, not too much junk on top-cheap beers and wine-sit outside while your having your car detailed next door (it's a Miami thing). Best I've had in Miami yet. Sat Oct 14 20:27:27 -0700 2006 1941887 41156 Miami Danny 3 3010831 Update on Andiamo's-didn't want to leave this post untouched, as I have watched Andiamo's go downhill, sadly, over the past few months. It's more crowded than ever, so maybe the pies are being rushed, or they just don't care anymore, and they've settled into a comfortable mediocrity. The crusts have been doughy, the toppings-the cheese has no taste-the mozzarella, the gouda, the parmesan, can't tell one from the other-no taste or texture at all, the 'sauce' is too sweet, the 'caramelized' onions are just raw onions tossed on top, the pancetta-well, the whole thing tastes like it came out of a can or a freezer. Really disappointing. This was my go-to joint! I'm back to East Side. Anyone else been here lately? Sat Oct 06 13:08:15 -0700 2007 1946162 41156 Miami Danny 4 3010978 Is East Side the one that used to be Flora's on 79th with the open air seating? Got take out from there a long time ago and was underwhelmed. We sometimes get pizza from Che Soprano which isn't bad. Sat Oct 06 14:29:48 -0700 2007 3010831 35525 Frodnesor 5 3011114 Yeah, Flora's. They revamped and got a new pizza maker and chef. A little uneven, but tasty. And BIG pies. And, oddly, the burgers are great. Actually now that I think of it, the meatballs are pretty good, too. Must have a good hand for chopped meat. Sat Oct 06 15:57:47 -0700 2007 3010978 41156 Miami Danny 6 3325927 It has been over 20 years since I was last in Miami. The one truly remarkable memory that I have, is biting into a calzone that I bought at Flora's Pizza on 79th. The ricotta cheeze and some type of special pizza dough were extraordinary. It was an unforgetable experience that haunts me to this day. I wish I could recapture that taste sensation. I understand that it has changed ownership. Does anyone know if they still sell calzone? I recall that calzone was only sold on certain days of the week. I was told that was because it was quite labour intensive, or something like that. Still craving that calzone after all these years. Wed Jan 23 16:28:00 -0800 2008 3011114 160049 craving calzone 7 3327103 Flora's has indeed been revamped - now called East Side Pizza I believe - and I've not tried recently. If you say the calzone was good, I'll have to see if they still do it. Thu Jan 24 06:06:25 -0800 2008 3325927 35525 Frodnesor 7 4869773 I had a slice at Flora's Eastside this week and must say I was very impressed! They do have Calzones on the menu. An insider told me there was some connection to Steve's there now. Either the original owner of Steve's took it over, or their original pizza chef, or a relative? I forget exactly how the story went as I was much too preoccupied with my gargantuan slice of pizza. The slice was thin & huge and among the best renditions of NY pizza I've ever had down here. Definately worth a stop while traversing the JFK causeway in Miami. Sat Jul 18 08:27:35 -0700 2009 3325927 14634 netmover 4 4265135 A year later and Andiamo has gone completely down the drain. The pizza itself is so-so. But why drive to Biscayne and 55th St for mediocre pizza? And the service is a nightmare. If you're in the mood for bland pizza, in an iffy neighborhood, and with unattentive service by despondent teens then this is your place. Sun Dec 21 21:20:59 -0800 2008 3010831 63102 zorba 5 4265180 Some of us actually happen to be close to Biscayne and 55th St. But as to the greater point, tis true that the pizza at Andiamo is unexceptional. Sun Dec 21 21:50:40 -0800 2008 4265135 35525 Frodnesor 5 4500622 Just had another great pizza at Andiamo last night. Not bland at all. Fri Mar 13 05:15:39 -0700 2009 4265135 48389 racer x 1 2965280 In Coconut Grove there is a restaurant/lounge called Green Street Cafe which I found very good pizza on their menu and laid back , quiet , not-so-Sobe atmoshpere and great drinks too. This is a great place to go to on a pleasant day in a nice neighborhood. Fri Sep 21 22:33:11 -0700 2007 702692 129180 mm530 2 2968270 In South Miami, Miami's Best Pizza has great pizza and the oven is old and hot so the crusts are great. Cozzoli's in South Miami is not bad, but they are inconsistent. Steve's Pizza on Biscayne and 124th is not bad either. Sun Sep 23 13:36:27 -0700 2007 2965280 105513 SarahChef 1 2968640 I'm in West Fort Lauderdale and have been going to the same place since 1988...the owners are from brooklyn...it's real NY Pizza...right across from the Broward Mall...called Jacaranda Italian Ristorante...we love it ....it's a 15 minute drive fromt he house but we go and pick up most weekends the foods is awesome homestyle italian place and during the season there is a line outside....as for Miami...it's been a long time...but I do remember Steve's being good. Lu Sun Sep 23 16:04:16 -0700 2007 702692 129392 Lu612 2 2970412 Lu612, where is this pizza place exactly? On the Broward or University side? Mon Sep 24 09:36:19 -0700 2007 2968640 15061 Rimtalay 1 2968661 There is a place called Pappa Ricco's on SW144th (I think) and US1 that is really good. It is in a strip mall (like everything else in the area)... Sun Sep 23 16:12:20 -0700 2007 702692 96658 Clarkafella 1 2968789 Louie's Brick Oven up at around 156 and Biscayne Blvd has good pies. Not cheap though. Sun Sep 23 17:09:30 -0700 2007 702692 88361 keysrat 2 3727400 Louie's Brick oven has recently shut down...new italian restaurant open for lunches now in its place. Haven't tried it but will soon Wed May 28 10:21:20 -0700 2008 2968789 166965 N.Miami.hound 3 3729187 Isn't it same owners with a name change? I think so but could be wrong Wed May 28 18:57:21 -0700 2008 3727400 144856 The Chowfather AKA sobe 4 3729468 Yes - "Louie" and "DiBono" both = Lou DiBono. There's a bit in miami.com about the new, more Italian-ish version-> http://www.miami.com/first-look-dibonos-article Wed May 28 20:46:17 -0700 2008 3729187 35525 Frodnesor 1 2969868 Pizza Prima behind Nemo on 1st. The slices are great, but order an entire custom fresh pie for the freshest tastes. It is, hands down, 100% the best NY style pizza on South Beach. The crust is amazing, the sauce is perfectly sweet. Prima is the absolute antithesis of Pizza Rustica, which in my opinion, is disgusting slabs of 1 inch dough with little sauce and cheap ingredients designed to stuff you, not satisfy you (maybe with the exception of the BBQ chicken if you're wasted at 3am.) Mon Sep 24 07:03:53 -0700 2007 702692 129596 ciao_hound 1 2985909 I must say that Anthony's Pizza in Aventura (US1) and for the beach Spris on Lincoln Road. For me the best Pizzas I have had in Florida so far. Very different styles of pizza, but both extremely great!!! Spris a bit more "gourmet" in the sense that you can get really great and tasty toppings like goat cheese, pine nuts, and all you can imagine that tastes great. Anthony's would be more of an authentic coal fired pizza. Great stuff!!!!! Fri Sep 28 11:01:15 -0700 2007 702692 104564 SarahOM 2 2986088 I do like Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza. There's a few locations. Not exactly a traditional pizza (and a little too burnt for some) but plenty tasty. Fri Sep 28 11:54:14 -0700 2007 2985909 35525 Frodnesor 1 3011743 Agree with Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza. Love the burnt crust. Bella Luna, an excellent Italian restaurant in the Aventura Mall, has very good thin crust pizzas. Sun Oct 07 02:49:29 -0700 2007 702692 13850 rebus1805 1 3018121 Pizza Rustica on the beach, as long as you don't mind the paper plates and plastic cups. Casolas on SW 17 ave, just south of the end of I95. In South Miami, I would have to go with Blue- right across from Deli Lane, great Italian style wood oven pizza, with REAL mozzarella cheese. Slice & Ice on 67 Ave is no longer around, the one on 27th ave is still there, but haven't been in quite a while. The Big Cheese of course, but I can't handle the wait for dine in myself. Paulo Luigi's on US1 and 142 St. has great wood oven pizza as well. Tue Oct 09 10:20:37 -0700 2007 702692 133343 Rachal961 2 3037499 Pizzeria Blu is like pizza in Italy. Mon Oct 15 17:36:46 -0700 2007 3018121 105372 taiga 1 3315303 Take a look at La Loggia (across from the downtown courthouse). As of now, they only offer a choice of 3 pizzas, each is somewhat compact, and each go for about $13, but they are the closest things to Roman pizza that I've ever had in America. They are small, thin, and a bit crispy. Sun Jan 20 17:58:12 -0800 2008 702692 159190 miami nguyen 1 3326091 you may wish to try the uruguayan style pizza at Con Tutto (On calle ocho between 13th court and 14th Avenue).. it's a thicker crust pizza cooked in a wood burning brick oven. The fugazza is a cheese and onion only pizza -- very traditional in Argentina and Uruguay. The pizza at Rosinella (downtown or the beach) is a thin crust style that is very tasty. Wed Jan 23 17:19:53 -0800 2008 702692 156760 karmalaw 1 3326499 It has been over 20 years since I was last in Miami. The one truly remarkable memory that I have, is biting into a calzone that I bought at Flora's Pizza on 79th. The ricotta cheeze and some type of special pizza dough were extraordinary. It was an unforgetable experience that haunts me to this day. I wish I could recapture that taste sensation. I understand that it has changed ownership. Does anyone know if they still sell calzone? I recall that calzone was only sold on certain days of the week. I was told that was because it was quite labour intensive, or something like that. Still craving that calzone after all these years. I thought I would place this reply in sequence or should I start a new topic? I'm new to this "chat" type of communications. Wed Jan 23 19:49:48 -0800 2008 702692 160049 craving calzone 2 3381428 Moved here 3 months ago from NY and I am shocked at the pizza quality here. I live in downtown. Ive tried Mama Caruso's, Archies, Pizza Rustico (totally overrated "gourmet style" pizza, Casola's)...HELP!! Have not tried Andiamo or Miami Best yet...Are they worth a shot? Sat Feb 09 18:12:30 -0800 2008 3326499 156929 kdrossi13 3 3382458 Andiamo is good -- not great -- amid a great atmosphere. Miami's Best is edible. Pizzeria Blu is better than both in my opinion. I love Pizza Rustica's creativity and toppings. It's the crust that earns the D- grade. Sun Feb 10 08:33:55 -0800 2008 3381428 105372 taiga 4 4265138 Pls do yourself a favor an avoid Andiamo. Se my post above. Sun Dec 21 21:24:03 -0800 2008 3382458 63102 zorba 3 4938425 i'm in total agreement. miami has no good pizzarias that can hold a candle to NYC or Chicago or Austin or other major culinary cities in the US for that matter. i've tried them all in the three years that i've been here and everyone has been mediocre. Andiamo, Soyka, Casola's, Steve's, Roma, Rosinella's, Blue, Papa John's, etc. etc. are all over-rated by out of town standards. But locals consider them to be good and (god forgive!) excellent in many cases! Fact is unless you're in the market for Cuban/Latin or S.A. - miami's pizzas AND most of its restaurants are thoroughly underwhelming! Having said that... I'm now starting to believe there are actually some restaurants that can be considered "good" since my expectations with the miami scene has been drastically reduced over the three years. Now I go to NYC's mediocre restaurants and pizzarias and consider them to be excellent! Go figure...... Tue Aug 11 19:17:59 -0700 2009 3381428 1101031 stillookin 4 4938484 That's just not true. Casale would be fine in any city, maybe not the best but certiany adds value. Never been to volante but suspect the same - racerx has been to both and also has a good perspective on new haven and nyc pizza so you should see his comments for reference. Tue Aug 11 19:38:08 -0700 2009 4938425 50328 tpigeon 4 4945502 You're using Papa John's to compare Miami pizza to NY? That makes sense. I went to a Subway in Philadelphia and think Miami's got better steak & cheese subs than Philly. Thu Aug 13 21:50:02 -0700 2009 4938425 35525 Frodnesor 5 4946362 HARSH! LOL. I also have to say it is ok to wish for a NY style pizza and be sad if you can't find one, but really....go to NY for NY pizza, and Chicago for Chicago pizza etc. Pizza in Miami is different. Heck the water is different, and many people will say what makes NY pizza great is the water. I don't know if that is true or not, but well, we can't do anything about the water supply. Miami pizza is Miami pizza, with Miami water, and it can be delicious. Pizza Volante reminds of pizza in Italy, it is not the slice I got at the piazza in Rome, but it is very good. Yes Miami may not have the quantity of amazing restaurants you can find in bigger more established cities but come one, to say you haven't found anything good just says you haven't been looking much... a few years ago maybe, but these days? Please.... Fri Aug 14 09:13:14 -0700 2009 4945502 79316 yomyb 6 4946555 Maybe it is the water then.... so try importing water to make NY pizza in miami. But let's not make claims of how good the pizza here (including PV, Casale, etc.) is compared to nyc or chicago or milano or anywhere else. miami pizza is miami pizza and by local standards it's very good. by out of town standards... you're kidn me bud. Fri Aug 14 10:14:32 -0700 2009 4946362 1101031 stillookin 7 4946757 I'm not your bud, bud. We can just agree to disagree. You mentioned Papa John's and Soyka in your post so I don't mind disagreeing with you so much. I have had mediocre pizza in NY and it is NOT better than Pizza Volante or Spris or even Rustica por dios! That is just a hate comment. And BTW you are the only one COMPARING the pizzas here to the ones in NY Chicago etc etc. We were just having a good old discussion of what we like and dislike about local pizza spots... Fri Aug 14 11:19:44 -0700 2009 4946555 79316 yomyb 8 4948196 don't want to be addressed with a friendly bud? sure i'll go with that. you're free to disagree as i'm free to express an opinion without being put down. whether you think it's hate or not is irrelevant. do yourself a favor and read kdrossi's post where nyc was first raised. but hey don't stop there - miami pizza joints compare themselves to ny pizza in their own advertising! so you've had mediocre pizza in ny then welcome to the club, but it doesn't negate my opinion that miami pizzas can't hold a candle to pizzas found in other cities. peace, Yumi. Fri Aug 14 23:44:19 -0700 2009 4946757 1101031 stillookin 9 4948575 Chicago deep dish is not pizza and miami is superior to whatever that thing is. The very best of ny beats miami but the best pizza I had in miami would do just fine up there, you are just wrong. Sorry bud. Sat Aug 15 08:18:22 -0700 2009 4948196 50328 tpigeon 10 4949715 chicago only has deep dish pizza - oic. Sat Aug 15 18:20:23 -0700 2009 4948575 1101031 stillookin 9 4950194 ladies and gentleman of the jury (frod, tp) I rest my case. BTW yomy comes from my real name, yomari, next time be respectful, no need to address me with anything. Thanks. Sun Aug 16 05:39:15 -0700 2009 4948196 79316 yomyb 10 4950417 isn't respect a two way street? as i said Anyone, including frog and a pigeon, can disagree with my opinion on pizzas and the region's second-rate restaurant status, but save the jeers and the put-downs. oh "BTW", your name... that's good soy sauce Sun Aug 16 08:14:39 -0700 2009 4950194 1101031 stillookin 6 5077966 Chicago's in Coconut Grove on Commodore which is still relatively new has Chicago style deep dish pizzas. They're probably the most authentic deep dish pizza in Miami-Dade. It's good to have the option nearby. If anyone wants Chicago style deep dish pizza, I would direct them to there. Sun Oct 04 08:23:48 -0700 2009 4946362 101012 mialebven 5 4948175 Ahhh yes the circus must be in town. cherry picking papa john from a comparative list in which I included steve's, blue, etc. misses the point, don't ya think? But thanks for your sarcasm and an analogy that can only come from a clown. Fri Aug 14 23:13:06 -0700 2009 4945502 1101031 stillookin 2 3782411 Dear Craving, Although I can tell you that the closest thing to NY here is at East Side Pizza. 731 NE 79 Street. You should also try their burgers! I got wind that they made it in to the Food Channel's Burger Bash next year. Sun Jun 15 13:30:42 -0700 2008 3326499 201040 JosieC 1 3382643 Di Napoli Italian Restaurant, 117th SW & US 1, made in a fire roasted brick oven, crust so thin it melts in your mouth, fresh, fresh, is the key. Also The Big Tomato at 124th SW & US 1, everything fresh, many different crust choices, ie wheat, etc. great sauce many unique topping choices. They also make fantastic salads served in a sour dough bread bowl. Sun Feb 10 09:36:14 -0800 2008 702692 86166 cdesoto 1 3384441 Mario the Baker in North Miami used to be pretty good. But I haven't been there in ages. I understand they've expanded and franchised--don't know if that caused a compromise in quality. Sun Feb 10 21:05:06 -0800 2008 702692 152667 Ralphie_in_Boston 2 3386499 The Mario the Baker downtown is dreadful. Mon Feb 11 12:52:49 -0800 2008 3384441 108051 herbage 3 3389452 I second Bella Luna in Aventura Mall for nice thin crust pizza... i like the sausage personally but the rest of my family loves the one with the salmon. Also liked the thin crust pizza at Michael's Genuine alot. Went with the slow roasted pork and fig pizza once and the shitake mushroom and gruyere another time. Both delicious. IMO Steve's on Biscayne near 123rd behind the Denny's is the best pizza around. And always open late. Rustica is always satisfying after a late drunken night out but the next day..... haha Tue Feb 12 09:11:37 -0800 2008 3386499 136768 dmo305 1 3409507 You guys must try Pieducks, just recently opened and I tried it last night. It's on South Miami Ave, one block west of Brickell at 14th St. in the One Broadway bldg. It's wood burning, really fresh and high quality ingredients (including the cheese). The management is VERY customer oriented, they will even bring the pizza to your car if you pick it up so you don't have to worry about parking or wearing your PJs. Open 11 to 11 daily. I loved my pizza (I got a margherita) Mon Feb 18 10:50:09 -0800 2008 702692 147111 moonsea 2 4266852 I can report that this place has actually gotten better in the 10 months they are opened. It is thin crust style pizza but it is very good. BTW - It is a gas fired oven, not wood burning. Mon Dec 22 13:43:22 -0800 2008 3409507 250613 steve_iin_Miami 2 4904025 I tried Pieducks last night. I liked it quite a bit. Better than Rustica, Spris (Gables), Miami's Best, Frankie's, and Casola's. Thu Jul 30 12:40:51 -0700 2009 3409507 48389 racer x 1 3413921 There is this amazing little spot in South Miami that I used to go to all the time when I was in school at UMiami called Pizza Kitchen. It's in a strip mall that has a bunch of crap in it, including a thai place called SeaSiam (?? if i remember correctly) and a tackle store...Pizza Kitchen is in the corner towards the back and I think the sign on the marquee just says "PIZZA". But it is AWESOME. I'm not a fan of Casola's or Miami's Best (blec)- I always felt like Pizza Kitchen was more of a NY-Style slice. It's a really small place, no inside seating, just a couple of plastic tables outside if you can't wait until you get home (which I never could)!!! They've also got a great house made garlic/cheese bread that I think they make with the pizza dough that rocks. Also, can't remember, but I'm pretty sure there is one day a week they aren't open- so just call ahead and if the phone keeps ringing, then that's the day :) Pizza Kitchen 12715 S Dixie Hwy, Miami - (305) 256-9459 Tue Feb 19 13:15:45 -0800 2008 702692 142888 firelight1016 1 3422608 There's a California Pizza Kitchen that opened during the last year in the Gables. Personally, I'm a fan of Miami's Best, but in case you wanted to keep your options open! Thu Feb 21 18:27:21 -0800 2008 702692 167790 GA578 2 3423581 I just returned from Phoenix where I ate at Humble Pie, Oregano's, and couldn't get served at Pizzeria Bianco though I had a sandwich at their sister Pane Bianco. I wouldn't trade Phoenix for Miami -- too antiseptic -- but the pizza there, all unrooted in deep history, is much better than ours, which at best, is edible. Won't somebody soon fill this obvious void. (Please) Fri Feb 22 07:08:11 -0800 2008 3422608 105372 taiga 1 3523993 There is an Italian restaurant in Hialeah, Di Piazza, that's been there for 30 years or so (103rd street, and 17th ave - Kmart shopping Plaza). It is family owned and run - I returned this week after 20 year expecting the worst. Great surprise - still great pizza! I live in NYC and love Patsy's on 117th street but for Miami this is an excellent pie. Try the garlic pizza. Netsky Mon Mar 24 18:03:02 -0700 2008 702692 177629 Netsky 2 3527137 Hey I remember that place! It's good to know it's still there and still decent. I used to go there after shopping with my Mom at Westland. Their pizza was my reward for being patient while Mom shopped for crappy clothes at the mall LOL. Tue Mar 25 15:05:04 -0700 2008 3523993 152667 Ralphie_in_Boston 2 3527963 Damn, I work right by there and need a lunch option for Mondays outside of Subway, McD's, and Wendy's...ugh. Do they have sandwiches as well as pizza? Dare I ask if there is a menu online? Tue Mar 25 19:44:06 -0700 2008 3523993 115383 Blind Mind 1 3529608 I know this is an old post but Frankie's is owned by my girlfriend's uncle and her dad owns Jerry's Pizzeria in Boca Raton. Both NYC boys that have been making pizzas in South Florida for decades. Wed Mar 26 10:04:11 -0700 2008 702692 115738 BlueHerons 2 4355819 I like Miami's Best Pizza on south dixie hwy in coral gables. I also like andiamos on biscayne. steve's in NM is also a winner. Sun Jan 25 09:31:46 -0800 2009 3529608 260329 aribo 3 4670522 2nd STEVE'S in North Miami!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god so good I remember when I used to live in Surfside, I could always rely on them after late-night poker games coming back in to the beach. You can get seriously addicted to this pizza. Don't know how they do it. It's the rather sweet sauce that really does it though I think; therefore you will probably either LOVE this pizza or rather not like it at all. Nothing in-between methinks. Sun May 10 07:38:11 -0700 2009 4355819 281822 somnambulant 1 4601906 IF YOU LIVE IN MIAMI AND YOU HAVEN'T TRIED ANTHONY'S PIZZA ON BISCAYNE BLVD NEAR 163RD STREET. ITS BY FAR THE BEST PIZZA IN MIAMI. THE CHICKEN WINGS ARE ALSO AWSOME! THEY ARE BAKED NOT FRIED AND THEY ARE VERY MEATY ... GOOD QUALITY. THE HOUSE SALAD IS ALSO REALLY GOOD. A MUST TRY! Thu Apr 16 12:16:54 -0700 2009 702692 283184 Alyson777 2 4822911 Just had Anthony's on Biscayne Blvd for the first time tonight. Pretty good. Decent sausage (fennel sausage!) and pretty good sauce. It could have been better if it had been less salty and if the crust had not been so heavily charred. (Yes, they advertise that their pizzas are well-done, but burnt crust should not be one of the flavor notes.) One of the better pizzas I have had in the Miami area. Wed Jul 01 18:12:30 -0700 2009 4601906 48389 racer x 1 4671470 I just tried the new Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Pinecrest and it was delicious. I've heard all about it on the radio and on this blog and I have to say I was totally blown away. The house salad was really fresh and tasty, the wings were crispy. They are served with caramelized onions and focaccia bread. We had a couple of pizzas and they were all great, but the meatball and ricotta pizza was out of this world. The crust is super crispy and the cheese is delicious. Its definitely going to be in my rotation. Sun May 10 16:06:13 -0700 2009 702692 119444 jessicam29 2 4672124 I went to the Anthony's in Pinecrest opening day (5/6/09) for lunch. Wings and onions tasted of char, char and more char. The Paul and Young Ron was, 'Meh'. The roast beef sandwich was good, nicely seasoned. I guess I'll chalk up the char to the opening day, and try it again. Sun May 10 21:13:17 -0700 2009 4671470 112306 Auger 3 4920620 Anthony's will always have the char, that's why they tout the "coal-fired" bit. Wed Aug 05 14:07:44 -0700 2009 4672124 1083196 purpledude 1 4851294 I am a big fan of Andiamo, Miami's Best Pizza, Frankie's and Anthony's Coal Fired. Sun Jul 12 11:22:49 -0700 2009 702692 260329 aribo 2 4920643 I have been ordering from Miami's Best since I was a kid, I think they have stopped making the crust in-house, it just seemed too much like a chain pizza the last time I ordered from there. Mario the Baker has a very similar pie. If people haven't ordered from Frankie's, they don't deliver but you can get a half-bake to take home. Wed Aug 05 14:16:15 -0700 2009 4851294 1083196 purpledude 1 4864641 Flavor-wise, how similar are the pizzas from Spris on Lincoln Road to those from the Spris in Coral Gables? Thu Jul 16 11:40:32 -0700 2009 702692 48389 racer x 1 4903866 The Herald article looks a lot like the pizza crawls...curious... http://bit.ly/12AwVc Thu Jul 30 12:02:48 -0700 2009 702692 108051 herbage 2 4903993 The common denominator is that most of the pizzerias discussed have opened relatively recently. So perhaps not a surprise that the pizza crawls and the Herald author cover similar territory. Can't wait to try Casale's after reading the article. Thu Jul 30 12:32:29 -0700 2009 4903866 48389 racer x 3 4904225 I just remember hearing talk on the boards of the Herald lifting ideas from our posts. Thu Jul 30 13:36:15 -0700 2009 4903993 108051 herbage 4 4906075 My theory is that VPE wanted Friday off so she combed Chowhound, found our discussions, and turned in the article. Its kinda obvious considering PizzaVolante removed the Volante 100 about a month ago... Fri Jul 31 07:42:48 -0700 2009 4904225 115383 Blind Mind 5 4906643 LOL. Well, she does write, "I've sampled more good South Florida pizza in the past three months than I have had here in my lifetime. " It's a lot to ask anyone, even a professional reviewer, to try 9+ pizzerias in a row in the space of just a week or two (although I've tried as many in a week myself in the past). Fri Jul 31 10:32:19 -0700 2009 4906075 48389 racer x 6 4906685 Why would a professional reviewer be different than anyone else? I don't get what you mean by "even". Fri Jul 31 10:44:38 -0700 2009 4906643 50328 tpigeon 7 4906966 I just meant that there are restaurant critics (people who review restaurants for a living) who eat the majority of their meals in restaurants that they are in the process of reviewing, and no doubt some food writers who are working on a story will occasionally sample multiple versions of the same dish from different restaurants in a short period of time just for the sake of the article. I doubt most of those of us who aren't critics are that compulsive. Fri Jul 31 12:35:42 -0700 2009 4906685 48389 racer x 1 4931095 I tried Casale's Pizzeria the other night. The pizza was spectacular. The best I've had in South Florida. In fact, I'd rank Casale's among the top 20 pizzerias I've enjoyed over the years (covering NYC, New Haven, Chicago, LA, Boston, Napoli, and Rome, among other cities). The mozzarella and the tomato sauce were perfect. The crumbled sausage I requested was very, very good. The slightly-charred (not burnt like Anthony's) crust had just the right thickness to hold the toppings without becoming soggy and just the right chewiness. The crust had no distinct flavors of its own though; it merely served as canvas for quality toppings. My only complaint was that the margherita I ordered had no fresh basil (an oversight?). Sun Aug 09 13:36:44 -0700 2009 702692 48389 racer x 2 4932061 I thought you would like this place x Sun Aug 09 21:18:16 -0700 2009 4931095 50328 tpigeon 2 4932481 My husband and I tried this place last week and we were not impressed at all. We liked the actual place, it is very family friendly and very cute, and I couldn't believe how big it is for SoBe. We have always really liked Sardinia so we had high expectations. The pizza was very good but we didn't think exceptional. The real disappointment was on the sides of the mozzarrella bar. The burrata we ordered was ok but the accompaniments had to have been canned I swear. I mean I could literally do better at home with my eyes closed. I have never said something like that on chowhound cuz I know how you guys love to argue and I don't, but I have to say it! Maybe we need to go back and try some more things, since after the disappointing first moments of the meal we stopped at one pizza pie and that was that, but it is hard for me to go back. Tell me tpigeon, what should I order??? For now we are sticking with Pizza Volante... Mon Aug 10 06:24:11 -0700 2009 4931095 79316 yomyb 3 4932746 tpigeon just went into shock, grab the defibrillator! :) I thought the mozzarella bar accompaniments were awesome. I had the bresaola and the anchovies. The anchovies were my favorite - loaded with condensed flavor so you only needed a small piece w/ each bite of mozz. What did you order as sides? Mon Aug 10 07:54:33 -0700 2009 4932481 115383 Blind Mind 4 4933210 They were so bad I swear I can't remember, we had three. I know one was a bean side, and these were totally canned with some a few chopped celery bits and some horrible dressing. I mean a bit of fresh rosemary and good olive oil would have been better. The other were some sort of roasted tomatoes. I make this at home and it is always a hit. These were very bitter, not to mentioned served very cold... anyway I am getting too negative here... no need... Mon Aug 10 10:04:51 -0700 2009 4932746 79316 yomyb 3 4932902 I agree with you on the mozzarella bar sides. Though I don't think they were canned, they were disappointing. We got zucchini and tomatoes. The zucchini was limp and tomatoes, which were supposed to be grilled, were raw. I like the idea of it, just the execution at least in out cases didn't work out. Next time I'll get stronger sides (anchovies sound very good). Mon Aug 10 08:35:59 -0700 2009 4932481 12101 lax2mia 3 4934524 tegamino app polenta app Atomica Pizza Spicy Sausage Pizza Sag Harbor Pizza are the ones I have liked the best The bottarga sometimes does not have enough bottarga on it. Both calzones are great. Mon Aug 10 16:12:16 -0700 2009 4932481 50328 tpigeon 4 4936714 They need to work on their desserts. I do not recommend them Tue Aug 11 10:32:11 -0700 2009 4934524 50328 tpigeon 1 4985189 I finally ate at Sosta last night. Can we say Soggy? Wow. We had the one with the "salami" (pepperoni), sausage (from up the road at the German place?), olives, mushrooms and prosciuotto; and the mushroom, ham and proscuitto one as well. There was hardly any cheese and the entire thing was flaccid. The only redeeming factor was the crust which was pretty good and crisp. Too thin pizza with too much topping and not enough cheese makes for a big sloppy mess. Meh. Fri Aug 28 06:31:36 -0700 2009 702692 108629 HabaneroJane 2 4985764 I started this thread in 2001 when my login was different, and I still feel the same. Sosta, by some corporate restaurant group, Casale, Anthony's all serve to illustrate what has oft been repeated, despite Frod's and other disciples cheerleading and pizza crawls. (I apologize in advance for the umbrage taken.) After all Andiamo won! Miami is still not a pizza haven, despite more edible opportunities; good pizza remains elusive. I would go on, but it has all been exhausted. Fri Aug 28 09:29:23 -0700 2009 4985189 105372 taiga 3 4985800 what peeves me is that these pizza places aren't cheap. flaccid pizza should be free, not $15 a pop. Fri Aug 28 09:36:33 -0700 2009 4985764 108629 HabaneroJane 3 4986094 Andiamo won my "readers' poll" which I'd readily acknowledge was about as reliable as a Chicago election (or a Florida one for that matter). And no umbrage taken, but I don't think I was "cheerleading" as much as simply gathering empirical evidence. Some places I thought were pretty good when we visited, others were disappointing. What I said can speak for itself -> http://www.foodforthoughtmiami.com/search/label/pizza I actually had the same reaction to Sosta as you did - I thought the toppings were bland and the ratios of topping to crust was off, leading to soggy sloppy pizzas. On the other hand, I had some good pies along the way - Pizzavolante, Racks and Casale (first visit) in particular stand out. However, a second visit to Casale was less impressive, and I've heard from others who were less impressed with Pizzavolante. I'd never argue at this point that Miami is a pizza "haven," only that there are now several options to get a better than decent pie. In fact, I would agree with your conclusion - "good pizza remains elusive" - but perhaps with a somewhat different meaning. I think there are places in Miami now that are capable of making very good pizza. But I think they may be finding it's still difficult to do so *consistently.* I thought it interesting that Bruni drew much the same conclusion as to those hallowed NY pizzas: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/dining/08pizza.htm Fri Aug 28 10:51:23 -0700 2009 4985764 35525 Frodnesor 4 4986547 You mean you did not use the scientific method when doing the poll or the pizza crawls and did it more for mere fun? I am ashamed of you. How dare you call yourself a chowhounder. Fri Aug 28 12:54:53 -0700 2009 4986094 50328 tpigeon 4 4986569 i haven't been to andiamo in ages but i used to love it! nice to see it's stil doing well. will have to make a return visit. have yet to go to casale or pizzavolante either but have been hearing mixed reactions from people from good to meh. I shall see for myself! Fri Aug 28 13:00:53 -0700 2009 4986094 108629 HabaneroJane 4 4987047 With regard to the "readers' poll", to paraphrase Winston Churchill's dictum: "Democracy is the worst form of food criticism." The second part of his statement does not apply in this case. Plus this was Internet Democracy and I highly suspect some organized ballot stuffing based on how the results came in. As for the general argument, having lived in NYC for 25 years before coming to Miami, I would have to say that there is plenty of bad pizza there as well. New York style pizza is typically not even that impressive to New Yorkers and the most highly acclaimed establishments are actually making pizza in various Italian styles. And that brings me to the point that I have had in general better pizza in Italy (both Rome and Naples specifically) than in either New York and Miami. Yet even there consistency can be elusive. I think the current Miami offerings are impressive if not spectacular and would agree with Frod that three of the recently opened options (PizzaVolante, Casale and Racks) represent a substantial improvement on what was available previously as well as being quality contenders in any American city. Fri Aug 28 15:51:37 -0700 2009 4986094 120830 petroniusarbiter 4 5001780 There are more pizza options than before, and it is impossible to compare NYC to Miami, and a "readers" poll is not scientific, and no one ever takes umbrage. While I think Bruni's focus was slightly different, and bad New York pizza abounds (much of it thanks to tasteless tourists), it still is easy to find good pizza, especially at the traditional end. Here, it remains elusive, despite these promising high end options. New Haven we are not; no haven we are. Thu Sep 03 07:53:33 -0700 2009 4986094 105372 taiga 5 5002520 I would not call good pizza elusive here... "traditional" or gourmet... Thu Sep 03 11:17:47 -0700 2009 5001780 136768 dmo305 1 4996214 Haven't found any better than Frankies The test of a great pizza is does it taste great when it is cold! I also like Steves on Biscayne and Mike's in Kendall Tue Sep 01 11:15:40 -0700 2009 702692 1106194 Skipbomax 1 5014356 I think part of the problem is determining what is meant by 'good' pizza. I don't like the char (*burnt) on my pizza crust. People who swear by Anthony's like it. There's obviously the whole thick crust v. thin crust debate. And of course the toppings. I don't think pizza should have fennel or artichokes on it, but my husband wouldn't dare eat a piece when I order my pie with anchovy or bottarga. I always remember liking the pizza at the skating rink when I was a kid. To me, that was good pizza! And every time I eat pizza in NY, I always have to blot up all the extra grease. yuck. Tue Sep 08 14:55:57 -0700 2009 702692 1091352 Shooz 1 5017783 Went to Racks tonight. The pizza was very good. Not as good as Casale's, but much better than most other choices around Miami. I can't agree with Taiga. Casale's, Racks, Anthony's, and Andiamo all make great pizzas by any standard. Wed Sep 09 17:26:52 -0700 2009 702692 48389 racer x 2 5021824 And I went to Casale last night. Pizza was once again typical of the area---burnt--I mean charcoal in my mouth--crust and limp, flaccid dough with hunks of lukewarm, hardly melted, tasteless mozzarella cheese. At one point it was like cheese and crackers. the mozzarella fell off the soggy dough and I had to put it back on. We got the simple version so as not to weigh down the dough--the salimini--spicy salami and mozzarella. Not impressed at all. Fri Sep 11 07:46:40 -0700 2009 5017783 108629 HabaneroJane 3 5022282 I didn't like their salamini myself. Fri Sep 11 10:18:19 -0700 2009 5021824 48389 racer x 2 5022203 I like Anthony's, and I enjoy the vibe much more than the pizza at Andiamo. I like Pizzeria Blu in South Miami as well. I will try Casale's and Racks, but I crave the New Haven pies. Fri Sep 11 09:54:43 -0700 2009 5017783 105372 taiga 1 5114034 Eureka! I finally found fabulous pizza in Miami (to my liking, at least)..no, it's not NY-style but enough about that..Joey's rocks. I know many of y'all here have been and praised it. I finally made it this weekend and was hugely impressed. Had a simple ham and mushroom pie ..the mushrooms were button and weren't even needed ...it was the perfect balance of cheese, sauce, and crust that had me singing the pizza praises.. it wasn't flaccid, the sauce wasn't too sweet, the crust wasn't soggy. Love! After a futile crusade that took me to sub par pizza places like Sosta, Casale, Anthony's, and Spris, finally, Joey's does it right. I still have two more places to try--Racks (pizza only as I have previously posted about my awful non-pizza experience there) and the Pacific Time pizza joint whose name escapes me. After Joey's I'm not sure those two will add up. But we'll see. Mon Oct 19 07:49:14 -0700 2009 702692 108629 HabaneroJane