Where is REAL NY pizza in Florida ?

[mcanni]

Been here in Orlando 10 years and all I see is boring "Florida Style" pizza - the dough is nondescript, the tomaoto sauce is a runny afterthought and the mozarella is shredded to cover every last centemeter of crust.

This to me is "kids" pizza - driven by the popularity of fast food pizza chains. Probably most Italian operators cringe at making this kind of pie , but they know Junior want "Cheese,heavenly cheese!!!"

Enough, I say.

Where is the pie that has a crust so good you can't wait to get to the edges ?

Who uses cubed high quality mozarella so it melts just right leaving pools of real tomatoe sause ?.
I would not be the end of the world if a bite of pizza was just a rich sause and a crispy crust! Bring on the EVO !

You guys know what I'm talking about - 10 YEARS and only mediocraty.

Help!!

[divco69]

To say there is such a thing as a REAL NY pizza is a bit of an oddity. Real pizza is actually Italian by nature and this place in Cape Coral has captured this..... Ciao serves an authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza using imported San Marzano tomato, "00" Caputo flour and fresh made Fiore di Latte cheese. All served up in an 800 degree wood fired oven. the crust is chewy yet not doughy. The sauce is light and sweet with a true tomato taste, not a saucy taste. The food from the fresh prepared kitchen is awesome. Try this place!!!!

[thew]

NY pizza is not the same as neopolitan pizza. it is its own entity.

[vrsecond]

You MUST try Mellow Mushroom in Winter Park on Aloma, rally, it's the best around.

-----
Mellow Mushroom
2015 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792

[flcedar]

Try Mama Romano's on Landstar Blvd. The owner is from NY and the pizza is the best I've had in the Orlando area. If you're looking for NY Italian food, though, go to Italian Courtyard in Cocoa Beach for shrimp parmigiana the way they make it on Long Island.

[jaybrett]

Mauro's Pizza in Hollywood is the best around, hands down!

[floridaitaliangourmet]

Great Pizza at Coconut Pt Mall www.tonysaccos.com

[skirkland]

Hey if you are in the Boca Raton area you can't miss La Pizza, a little hole in the wall in a strip center on NE 2nd Street just east of Federal Highway. I had to call this guy Pino after I got my third pizza from there in as many weeks to tell him what a genius he is! I've been in FLA since '84 and it is a real struggle to find good pizza here! Crust is super thin in the middle but not wet, edge is light and crispy. Try the meat lover if you are a carnivore.....meatball slices carried here on the wings of angels! Got to find out where he gets the ham....I'm not normally a fan but he uses a fine mince of bacon-y goodness that wows you with a real flavor punch. If you have to pick it up you better open the windows cuz the smell of the sauce will make you pull over to eat it on the side of the road! Had a olive and artichoke heart that was really good too....the crust is good as any you will find in NYC and the sauce is fine. Bet the rest of the menu is good too but I'll probably never know, can't imagine passing up the pizza! Buon Appetito!

-----
La Pizza
134 NE 2nd St, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Boca's Restaurant
2901 W Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, FL 33311

Pino's Cafe'
4629 N Lois Ave, Tampa, FL 33614

Buon Appetito Cafe
6314 Corporate Ct Ste D, Fort Myers, FL 33919

[drighetti]

Sadly, La Pizza is out of business. We will miss the Grandmas pizza.

[Manderley]

i've been here in tampa bay for three years. i think if someone had told me how awful most food is down here, i might never have left new york! i've tossed more pizzas into the trash after taking one bite...and walked out of so many chinese restaurants leaving the food uneaten on the table...my honey loves chinese so i had no choice but to learn how to make some dishes myself. i've got a fave sushi place and drive all the way to st pete or tampa for authentic chinese...but other than that....pizza, in florida? nah. "it's all in the water" i've always heard, and NY water is the best. that's why the crust is so tasty. i guess i'd have better luck if i lived in tampa or st pete. but where i am...sheesh, the locals think The Country Pizza Kitchen is good...and that was the worst i've had in my life, bar none.

[askdrtodd]

Funny you should mention, Eddie & Sams downtown Tampa uses NYC water to make their pies, and they're pretty good, so does Paci's on south dale mabry (get the baby mozzarella & basil pizza, the other pies I've had are meh). My favorite is Pane Rustica though, their pizza is spectacular. consistently.

[Toastypeach]

The closest thing to NY Pizza that I have seen in Florida is Grove's Slice & Ice...and I'm originally from Brooklyn and I'm now a foodie.

[SCHUter]

I'm a native New Yorker, most of my life in NJ, the best pizza I had up north was Ray's on 6th Ave downtown. There is a good pizzeria on 17/92 in Casselberry called NY Pizza (what else!) in a strip mall anchored by a Winn Dixie; nice thin crust, fresh and tasty.

[danb73]

I tried Slice Pizzeria near the library in downtown Ft. Lauderdale today. Average at best See my review on my Ft. Lauderdale Lunch Blog

http://fortlauderdalelunch.blogspot.com/

[Sativa]

I agree, Slice & Ice is pretty good.

[alkapal]

in southwest florida, a great place is "old monty's" in punta gorda. it's the best i've had. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/617667

[mcanni]

It is almost three years since I started this thread and I can't believe it has 93 posts and is still around.

I've had lots of pizzas and followed many of these recommendations with mixed results.
I am amazed about the diversity of opinions and the passions expressed.

After all this time I have two favorites . Carmella's " Grandma's " pizza and Anthony's Coal Fired .
Thankfully Anthony's just opened up here in Orlando. BTW their Italian coal fired wings are worth a visit alone.
Both are thin crust, have good amount of cheese and tomato sauce you can actually taste . Both are classified as " chain" restautrants but that's OK with me if the pies are good.

I'm looking forward to sampling many of the recommendations that have been submitted here.

Keep them comming , especiallly family owned places.

Bueno appitite and bring plenty of napkins!

[janie]

new yorker here, and Anthony's is sensational--on par with great pizza in new york.

[richholl]

If you're ever in St. Pete, try VALENTINO'S on 4th St. N. and 10th Ave. N. It's the real deal, and their menu items are also delish. I'd recommend dine in or take out, but their delivery is kinda slow.

[thew]

drive to highway 1- turn north. exit after 1000 miles ;)

[Manderley]

ha ha ha good answer!

[LintMan]

I'm originally from NJ, just outside NYC and am always on the hunt for NY-style pizza. I found a local Orlando chain called Giovanni's Italian Restaurant that makes the best NY-style pizza I've found down here. My mom (still up there) is extremely picky about pizza and when she tried theirs during a visit here, she said it was pretty good.

Another local chain that's pretty good is Ferrarra's. They were my local favorite until we discovered Giovanni's.

[annemarie07]

In Palm Harbor Florida there's Gino's or Vetture's; in Clearwater there's Bro's on Ft. Harrison. I love these places - been told I'm a 'pizza snob'.

[Little T.]

Once again, I second Bro's in Clearwater, Also, try their garlic knots. They are deadly ;)

In St. Pete, try Valentino's and Tour De Pizza.

I have had "The Pizza Place" pizza, but by the time the delivery guy got it to us, it was cold (that is a different story). I could tell it was good quality. Apparently they use Grande and other higher quality cheeses.

[fleach]

Ginos is not bad if you can get past their rude attitudes, but Vetture's? Not so much. That pizza does not come close to NY pizza. BTW - before it was Vettures, it was Sans pizza....interesting to note that Sans is back, right across the street now.

In the Palm Harbor area, I think that the best pizza is at Corteos (at the corner of 19 and Tampa Rd - in the same shopping center where Hops used to be). These are the same folks that ran Micheles (AKA Miguels) for years. They are from the Umberto's restaurant family in Westbury/New Hyde Park area.

www.corteos.com

[NYJewboy]

Oh, just give it up! The water just isn't right. It will always be wanting in texture, not to mention pedantic due to the Florida aesthetic deficit, and unless extremely high grade imported cheese is used simply awful domestic mozz.

[freakerdude]

Exactly NY jewboy. Florida is not NY nor do we Floridians ever want it to be. Vic & Angelos in Delray and Palm Beach Gardens does truck in their water for their dough from your hometown. And I have only found one place that is a purveyor of Grande cheese, reportedly the best mozz to use on a pizza.

[digyourself]

That is an old silly argument. New Yorkers like to come up with all types of reasons why no one will ever be able to make good pizza outside of New York because they just love telling everyone how great things are up there. Put aside you silly water superstitions, get out there and try some pie. I don't know if you've noticed just how many pizza shops are in the Tampa area. Some of them of are doing great things with traditional NY style pizza. This is the same syndrome that affects the NY'ers who put NY stickers all over their car...yeah, we get it, you lived somewhere big and important. Welcome to Tampa. Settle down and enjoy our food.

My vote is for Paci's. I've had visiting friends from all over try Paci's and it has been enjoyed by all.

[rainroosty]

Right on, digyourself! I agree 100% and I am a born and raised N.Y.er......been here in Palm Beach county for 30 years (I'm in my 50's). That "New York is the only great pizza" thing is nauseating and embarrassing. The best pizza I've ever had was right here in Lake Worth. (N.Y.P.D. and Lake Worth Pizza - great stuff!)

[alkapal]

pray tell, ny jewboy, what *is* a "pedantic" pizza?

[NYJewboy]

Ah, I meant to provoke inquiry by way of poetic turn of phrase. Glad to see you are interested. I was trying to imply an uninspired and middle of the road approach to pizza that has no strong flavors or textures. It is pizza playing it safe.

Even in NYC most pizza plays it safe; being not 'too anything'. The places I love break that approach by doing something boldly or in a strong traditional fashion, pulling out the stops of anticipating what people will or will not approve of. In general the playing it safe curse is all over, and it is the antithesis of adventure.

[Frodnesor]

To quote Inigo Montoya, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

At risk of being pedantic myself, "pedantic" has nothing to do with "uninspired," "middle of the road," or "playing it safe." Not even in poetry, much less pizza.

[RickL]

Frod - my hat's off to you. Who else could bring a "Princess Bride" reference to Chowhound?

[NYJewboy]

Here you go:
pedantic - marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

[Frodnesor]

So you think Florida pizza is too focused on learning? It's too busy showing everyone how smart it is?

[NYJewboy]

Maybe if you streeeetch your imagination you can begin to comprehend that it is the trivial aspect that was being emphasized. But hey, don't hurt yourself.

[Frodnesor]

I'm stretching like an extremely high grade imported cheese. I'm going to pay more attention to see if my next Florida pizza is too focused on trivia. Maybe that's what's wrong with it and I never knew.

[NYJewboy]

Maybe that's why you are in Florida to begin with.

[ospreycove]

nyjewbo, Maybe we should go to Rome Da Baffeto pizza, the epitome of pizza. No more to be said!!!

[janie]

Just another NY voice of reason weighing in to this old thread---see that I commented a long time ago, about old NMB pizza places, really still love Anthony's Coal Oven pizza when I'm down there from NYC. Their eggplant is fantastic, too. They were kind enough recently to email me a recipe, even.

--it's best to ignore NYJewboy's comments-- his posts are mostly self serving, or insulting, and he doesn't miss an opportunity to announce his disdain for children on the outerboroughs board in NY, requesting that they never eat out in public, or some other rude over-generalization. He assumes all chowhounding parents must have little monsters, and that none of us, could actually have well behaved children, or know when to take our kids out for a walk if they are misbehaving. That besides his other daily insults have not endeared him to many on the outerboroughs board.

What I really miss from Florida, is the old time, really classic Florida places like Cliffords, and Sea Shanty, The Studio, Red Coach Grill--- and these 70's institutions where you got lots of tasty food at great prices.

[OysterHo]

Oh wow! I remember Red Coach Grill! We used to go there almost every Sunday! They gave me a free lobster dinner for my 8th birthday. :)

[Calipoutine]

I remember the Sea Shanty too. My grandparents used to take me there for the early bird. I always got the fish oreganata syle. Wow, I'm tearing up. I miss my gramps and gram!!

[Boccone Dolce]

I *so* love you for tossing that quote in this thread.

FL pizza tastes MUCH better when you stop wishing it was a slice from your favorite NY location.

[The Chowfather]

I thought I was on the Princeton Review website for a second...

[racer x]

Being as the topic is touching on NY food as viewed from SoFla, I can't noticing how differently the Florida board here at Chowhound is moderated compared to the Manhattan board. The custodian(s) of the Manhattan board seem, in my view, a little too trigger-happy when it comes to pruning posts.

The mods seem quite a bit more laid-back on the Florida board, allowing for much more lively discussions. I like that.

[Frodnesor]

So long as it's all in good fun.

[OysterHo]

I'm a native Floridian so I can't speak of NY pizza. I came across this pizza blog called worstpizza.com These guys are in search of the closest thing to NY pizza they can find.

Most reviews are in Boca, Broward and Miami, but they do go all over the place. I find them hilarious (sometimes) and the people inserting their responses to the reviews are even funnier.

Worth a good read and I have just started trying places they like. It's kind of fun. I'd like to see what all the NY PIZZA IS THE BEST fuss is about!

[OysterHo]

I like them and have liked the 4 recs of theirs that I've tried. Also, they focus on Boca and nearby cities which is good for me as I won't travel to Miami for pizza and even FLL is unlikely too.

How do you know that they know nothing about pizza? Do you disagree with all the places they recommend?

[johnmlinn]

Hey OysterHo and others, you might enjoy this column on the subject:

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2009-...

[OysterHo]

Thanks for that! I'm telling you, these guys take this pizza eating seriously!

I went to another one of his recs: Casa L'Italien in Boca on Yamato, west of Lyons. Wonderful thin crispy crust, not floury at all, semolina! Cheese and sauce in perfect harmony.

It's the only pizza that made me want to eat the crusts. Usually I leave them behind because I've found most crusts to be uninspiring.

Another rec of worstpizza that works for me. :)

[freakerdude]

They review Annie’s Pizza and Subs in FAU Industrial Park which is right next door to where I work. Annie's has some pretty good pizza but is not a destination place by any means. Big portions are pretty much the norm here and they use Grande cheese, which is the cheese that produces the orange-ish oil on top that they talk about.

[racer x]

Thanks for the recommendation of worstpizza website.

I don't agree with some of his (or their) opinions, but the reviews are entertaining to read nonetheless.

An excerpt from one of my favorite reviews there:

"We opened the pie to see this mess.... Let me point out…we got the pie, held it straight and brought it to our table outside in the desert heat. There was no shaking the pie, there was no holding it lopsided, there was no movement whatsoever. This pie just fell apart sitting in the box. The crust was extremely under cooked, the sauce was put on abundantly and causing everything to slide, and the cheese just tasted like pure crap. It was almost hard for me to eat the pizza, after looking at it. Wasn’t sure if I should throw up, or if someone already did on the pizza to make it look like it did."

[OysterHo]

LOL I know, they are very funny! And that Jimsock guy who makes comments is a riot. He's such a hater!

Freakerdude: did they like annie's a lot?

[freakerdude]

5 out of 8 rating. It's on page 2 if you want to read about it.

[OysterHo]

thank you. :)

they only give ny pizzerias 8 of 8 lol. 7 of 8 is quite good though, that means it's inches from being an 8.

[racer x]

I don't want to completely derail this thread, but it seems like the worstpizza reviewers never give anybody a full 8 out of 8 slices.

[FTLSlacker]

What you describe is not pizza. Pizza is dough, sauce and cheese. There's nothing bold about it. Its the reason pizza is such a popular comfort food.

If you want "pizza" with red chicory or pineapple and arugula, try Panaretto PIzzeria. Of course you can't get a slice there. And you won't have trouble getting a table.

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

Demmi's Market on 7th in Ybor City in Tampa, SOOOOO DELISH!!!!! The only thing on the menu is pizza, I love the pepperoni and jalapeno, THIS IS THE BEST NY STYLE PIZZA ANYWHERE!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! Closed on Sunday's and Monday's but usually has a live band all other days, full liquor bar, great staff! TRY IT! :)

[An Insatiable Appetite]

Naples Florida Two Brothers Baci has Brooklyn style great Italian food, with thin pizzas, rich, rustic food, and a little later in the evning is live entertainment and dancing, seven days a week!
I'ts been around 2 years in Bonita Springs, and moved to its larger location in Naples to handle the crowd.

Bob and Sal are the owners/brothers, and they are on site, meeting and greeting everyone.

I have a longer write up at:

http://aninsatiableappetite.blogspot....

Portions are large,(plenty of letovers) there's a full bar, and the regulars return weekly-tells you something. especially in this economy.

[Lu612]

We have been going to the same place since 1985...I'm not sure where you are located but our favorite place (can't wait to get to the crust) the sauce is great the toppings actually all the food served there is great. We usually get the pizza to go.

J Ristorante (Jacaranda Pizza) on Broward Blvd between Pine Island Road and University on the Northside.

Buon Appetito

[Boccone Dolce]

This post is pretty old..... but I was just reading in my pizza mag about this place called Gino's Pizza & Brew III in Orlando. They are open 24 hours, it is alleged they have the "best NY style pizza" in the area- I love how they throw a little garlic knot on each slice. I don't see it mentioned on this post. We were supposed to check it out over the weekend but couldn't. Maybe next weekend.

[Mild Bill]

I recently discovered Marchello's on N. Dale Mabry in Tampa, near Van Dyke...

http://www.marchellos-pizza.com/news.php

They had a '2 slice and a drink' special posted outside and while I was cruising by I decided to give it a shot...

I got 2 slices with pepperoni...

I've been back once since to get the same thing again...

Delicious... Great pizza... Crust isn't THAT thin; it's both doughy and toasty; quality cheese applied generously, just oily enough...

I'm an 'extra cheese' guy, and this didn't call for it...

I complimented them both times and I can't wait to go back when I'm hungry...

It's even worth a drive I think--- but I only had that one thing...
I've been over enthusiastic in the past after one or two visits...

[bronxboy3034]

Try Tommy's Pizza in Jacksonville, Fl. Great stuff. They're from NYC, use a real brick-oven. Fantastic thin crust, a sauce to die for, and great cheese.

One more thing....huge slices (but only at lunch). They've got a web site you can check out: www.tbopizza.com

[CDB76]

Been to Tommy's twice and was not impressed. Born and raised NYer here. Closest thing to NY pizza in Jacksonville is Rennas, hands down. And Im not one of these people who haven't been back to NY and had a real slice in 15 years. I go back 3-4 times a year and definitely eat my share of pizza, and even bring some back here to FL to freeze.

www.eatjax.com

[bronxboy3034]

If we have to list our resume in order to voice a serious opinion, then here’s mine: Born in raised in the Bronx and worked in Manhattan and the NY Metro area for twenty-plus years; lived in Europe for five years and spent a lot of time in Italy as part of my job; came to Jax in ’98 and founded a food service distribution company focused on premium and imported foods including meats and cheese. I travel back to NYC frequently during the year to see family and friends, and I always visit the top old and new Pizzeria’s. Tommy’s Pizza beats most and equal’s all of them. Last summer I spent two weeks in Tuscany and three weeks traveling in other areas. The first thing I did when I got back was to have pizza at Tommy’s. Renna’s wouldn’t even come close to making it in NY, they use low grade Mozzarella, and their sauce is inferior.

[Danielle11]

That's an awesome idea ginager!!! Thanks!!

[freakerdude]

I've been but was only there for a concert and didn't map out the key pizza joints. We just dropped into a few places without prior knowledge of what were the best ones.

On a side note, Vic & Angelo's in PBG and Delray boast about the fact that they have NYC water delivered here to re-create the closest possible pizza crust as NYC has. Anyone care to comment on how their crust compares?

[freakerdude]

NY style pizza, real philly cheesesteaks, and real smoked BBQ are the three most finicky types of food often criticized by foodies. I don't know the exact requirements for NY style, but your description fits one bill that I know of. Carmine's Gourmet Market and his La Trattoria next door in Palm Beach Gardens serves up the best pizza in the area. The crust is top notch and the sauce is even better, regardless of how it is topped. Franchised coal fired pizza has nothing on Carmine's. But I don't think any pizza is worth driving more than 30 miles for.

http://www.carmines.com/

Here's a question for you pizza freaks. I keep hearing that Grande cheese is the best on pizza and if a resto uses this, it shows that they care about quality. Would a so called NY style pizzeria use only Grande and why is this cheese highly preferred?

[grillin]

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Ft. Lauderdale very good pizza and wings

[LargeLife]

As a native South Floridian.....I always tell my whiney friends from NY there's a bus heading north on I-95 to the Port Authority every hour!.....But seriously....kind of.....Europa Pizza in Port St. Lucie is quite good....Anna's Pizza in South Stuart / Palm City is very good....and the lady that owns and runs this place is the "Pizza Nazi"....be careful how you order!.....Carmela's in Stuart is absolutely outstanding....and they have an adjoining "Wine Bar" that has great wine and beer to along with your pizza......There are places....ya gotta look....but there are places....Otherwise...that next bus is leavin' soon.....

Emac

[Danielle11]

Whoa. Maybe if you took that bus heading north you'd actually experience good pizza....thanks for the suggestions though.

[freakerdude]

I know about Carmela's, but how does Pussateri's (Chicago style) and Papa Z's fare?

[LargeLife]

Hey, FD....Carmela's is awesome.....tough place to get a table in or out of season.....Their wine bar is alot of fun....and they have a really nice wine and beer list from which to choose....Haven't had the opportunity to try Pussateri's (careful with that one!) or Papa Z's....Have to look those up.....Anna's Pizza is pretty good....and that lady that owns / runs the place is a character.....

Emac

[Fred12582]

Try East Coast Pizza in Riverview.(just south of Brandon).. They make great pizza and Calzones. You can eat the entire thing right down to the crust, which is the best part. They put just enough sauce, you may want to ask for extra cheese, so its just pouring off. They cook there pizzas crispy in what looks to be real brick ovens. Highly Recommend... Give it a shot..

[kellynch]

I'm a newbie here, but I have to put in a good word for Capalbo's at 10519 Cortez Road West in Bradenton. It's very close to the shop with the best ice cream around -- Tyler's at 11904 Cortez Road West. I was born and raised in the NY area, and Capalbo's is terrific. No atmosphere at all, but the pizza is good.

[mbene]

Tommy's Brick oven Pizza on Southside blvd in Jacksonville is the best I've found here. Thin crust with a fired flavor, delicious home made sauce and high quality toppings.
http://www.tbopizza.com/

[freddybjax]

How about jacksonville?......I've yet to find any tolerable pizza

[blueridge]

Spanky's Pizza House II in St. Augustine is the best pizza I've had in FL. The owner/pizza maker is from Brooklyn. The garlic Knots are THE BEST!

[mezzrow]

My cuurent fave is Moon River Pizza on Edgewood Ave. in Murray Hill - just north of US17. Darned fine pie, calzones, etc - atmosphere of a good college town pizza place - sixties/seventies music coming out of the back, bunch of guys w/ Grateful dead shirts stretching dough and working the ovens. Try the white pizza w/ some fresh spinach on top - good stuff. Recommended

-----
Moon River Pizza
1176 Edgewood Ave S Ste 2, Jacksonville, FL 32205

[CDB76]

Bruccis in Ponte Vedra and I think they have a place on Hodges is very good. Rennas is the closest place though to NY style pizza, it could hold its own in any neighborhood in the 5 boroughs. I visit Rennas at St. Johns Town Center at least once a month. Pepperoni pie well done, just like Brooklyn.

www.eatjax.com

[jhmoore143]

Moon River on Edgewood and 14th (in Fernandina) is by far the best I have had since I left New York almost 30 years ago. Brooklyn Pizza off Baymeadows (Near 9A) comes in a close second. Renna's isn't bad, but they are low on my top 5. Mikes (or Nora's) Pizza (Merrill Road) Isn't bad either - but not in the same class as Moon River or Brooklyn Pizza. I have heard Tony's Brick House in Fernandina is good, but I have yet to go there. In Fernandina, behind the library is a place called Arte's Pizza. Very, Very good, but they don't sell by the slice and most of the time I just want something quick.

[Br0nxboy]

Tommy's Pizza on Southside Blvd, just north of Toutchton Rd. in Jacksonville is the best in Jacksonville. Thin-crust, brick-oven pizza, they make everything in house, even grow their own herbs, and sell Egg Cream Soda's. Family's from the Bronx, and they even bring in their Italian sausage from New Jersey. I just came back from NYC and was disappointed in the pizza that I had in Manhattan and the Bronx. Couldn't wait to get back to have something good at Tommy's Pizza

[gmoore88]

I think Lazy Moon right by UCF has the best pizza that i've ever had here in florida.

[Podie1956]

After years of searching for true NY pizza in Florida, one opened up just a few blocks from my work in Newberry, about 10 miles west of Gainesville. It's called Villagio's and is located at 179 N. Main Street in Newberry. Small place but spectacular pizza!

[Bernie407]

Del Dio is the place!!! My husband's from Brooklyn and this is the first pizza since we've been here for 27 years that he said taste just like home. They moved from Fern Park over to E-50 by the new Petsmart & Bed Bath & Beyond. It's set off in the corner to the right at the end. The food is excellent, the service is great... go check it out!!! You won't be sorry!!!

[Danielle11]

Any good pizza suggestions in Port St. Lucie area?

[Bernie407]

Sorry, none that I know of.

[tangelo]

Has anybody here been to the re-opened Vitos? Know if it's really any relation to the old Vitos? Anybody remember their pizza and the fugaza at the old place on NE 6th and 167th?? I was a kid, but I remember it as being great stuff and I'm anxious to try them again.

[janie]

Been in NY for over 25 years, but grew up in NMB and remember Vito's and Figaro's (the cheese used to slide right off)--endured many birthday parties there, --but we used to go to Meyer's Pizza Parlor on Biscayne in North Miami, it burned down, sometime in the 70's, though. That place was intense.

Other pizza stops for us were Sonny's in Hollywood, don't know exactly where it was, and don't think it's existed for many years. And of course there was Marcella's on West Dixie Hgwy, and one my favorite old hangouts, was Mary's on NW 7th ave what used to be a pretty dicey area across from the flea market...that used to have handsdown the best garlic sticks, and a knockout house salad with chickpeas....whatever happened to that place?

[teri5g]

Figaro's, we went there every Sunday night, right after Optimist Softball, every kid in NMB had their birthday party there........Marcella's..........Absolutely the best garlic rolls, I still remember the smell today, and the grease dripping out of the little brown bags they came in...........Vito's was second choice if Marcella's was too busy.......Do you remember Steve's Pizza, also the original sub shop, and let's not forget the Copper Penney........Wow, I feel like a kid again. I remember the 7th avenue flea market, sometimes we would skip church at Northwest Baptist, and go hang out there........LOL.........we were kids, had no idea the trouble we could get into..........dicey, to say the least.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, it was fun.

[Semprini]

My parents used to stop at Figaro's on the way home from the beach. I have no recollection of the food, but I loved watching the old black & white movies they projected on the wall. Marcella's was the first place I could order a pitcher of beer without being carded, my friends were well impressed. Steve's was a regular late-night stop on the way home from playing shows at Churchill's.

How did Flora's and Mama Jennie's escape mention on our memory lane stroll?

[nycKat]

Not sure about any restaruants or pizza places but I know Publix carries Fast Eddie's pizza which is made at a Manhattan pizza place and is boxed and shipped to grocery stores. I know Publix in Palm Beach carries it (not sure about Orlando but it's a chain so I would guess it would). I have had it many times and it is the closest pizza I can get to Arthur Ave (Little Italy) in the Bronx. It does not taste like it was frozen at all and it doesn't have that cardboard taste like some pizza's (even fresh pies) somehow get.

[2top]

Around Miami I think these places do a pretty good job:
Anthony's Coal Oven Pizza
Spris
Piola

[VWRobin]

Being a Jersey girl, I've always been on the lookout for good 'za. The best I've found is Gino's downtown on Orange Avenue, but get the slices, don't order a whole pie, the slices are better. If you can't make it downtown, there are a couple of Broadway Pizza joints (the one near my house is on 436 & Semoran) and they have a decent pie, but I think you have to eat it there - the last few times we had it delivered it wasn't as good. Alfonso's in College Park used to be great, but it's not as good anymore. L'il Anthony's near the Toojay's on Colonial across from the Fashion Square mall had good pizza last time i was there. Hope it works out for you!

[srcusa]

I would highly recommend Alfonso's in Tampa. I'm a transplant from North Jersey and was dying to find the real thing It's a very hole-in-the-wall, real live pizzeria in a strip center on North Florida Avenue. The place has been around for better than 20 years and still run by the same family (real live Italians). Absolutely nothing fancy, but a real New York/New Jersey style pizzeria. The kind of place where you can enjoy the simple, plueasure of a plain cheese pie without having to pile on toppings to substitute for lousy crust. The address is: 14942 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33613 Phone: [phone]

[st.petebbum]

Thanks Chrissie.......I'll take a ride over there!

[st.petebbum]

Anyone heard of anything over here in St. Pete?? Esp. the coal fired pies!!! Yum! Thanks, b bum

[Tampa Chrissie]

When I lived in St. Pete we use to get Pizza from a small place on Central that was pretty good. I can't think of the name of it, but it was on the N. side of Central in a small shopping center with a laundry mat. It was somewhere between 50th and 66th Sts. If memory serves it's take out only.

[nyc2miami]

Hey st.petebum. so far the only good pizza i've found is near you - it's called Monster Slice on Gulf Road. We went o a yankee game at the Trop and were thirlled to find that place. i WISH there was a monster slice here in Mimai - home to the WORST pizza in the entire world..

[tpigeon]

That's just not true. LA has much worse pizza than we do.

[taiga]

That is arguable!

[pizzamaven]

My family is originally from New Haven CT, home of the best pizza in the US - moved here 2 years ago and have been searching for a good pie from day one - here are the ones I found - Eddie and Sam's in downtown Tampa is REAL NY pizza only negative is their hours weekdays only til about 6 or 7 Sat only til 4-5 and closed on Sunday, BUT a new place just opened in St. Pete on 1st ave. N between 5th and 6th Aves. called THE place for pizza, not quite NY style but best I have had in St. Pete, owner is very accomodating too to make it the way you like it, give it a try

[CDB76]

New Haven, CT home of the best pizza in the US???? NYC is the home of the best pizza in the US, hands down. I know New Haven has a couple of places featured on the Travel Channel, but NYC is by far head and shoulders above any other part of the country. The amount of good pizza joints alone make it better. Then you have the classics like Patsy's, Grimaldi's and John's, you can't compare New Haven, CT to NYC. I was born and raised in Bklyn, NY and there were 2 pizza places on every block, not saying they were all great, but I could probably name more pizza places in my neighborhood alone, then in all of New Haven that serve a better pie.

www.eatjax.com

[rainroosty]

Things have changed tremendously and it is no longer true that New York is superior to other states when it comes to pizza. There's great pizza everywhere nowadays - and there's awful pizza, too.
Too many pizzerias don't put out a great pizza, no matter where you go. Some of the best pizzas I've ever had were from right here in Florida....and some of the best ones were from Long Island, N.Y.. So were some of the worst ones.....from Long Island as well as Florida. :-)

[taiga]

Where in Florida can one get a pizza half as good as Frank Pepe's from New Haven? I'm not from Connecticut, but I've passed through a time or two. This summer, I had lunch at Pepe's and it was as always transformational. I agree with pizzamaven and CDB76 who disagreed with pizzamaven more than with rainroosty. I also had a $1.25 slice of Arcaro and Genell's in Old Forge PA which was far better than anything I've ever had here in Miami.

[michem]

I am originally from CT and Pepe's is great! Pizza from CT is hands down better then NY (style). Still looking for a good pizza here on the Treasure Coast. Any suggestions?

[JFla]

Red Rock in Boca -- their coal oven turns out some pretty good pies.

[stuartlafonda]

I would second Red Rocks in Boca, reminded me very much of Grimaldi's in Brooklyn. They use a coal oven but throws logs in as well, something I have never seen another coal oven joint do. The only downside is the limited menu,they only serve pizza,wings and salad. Also in Boca and very close to RedRocks is another coal oven place, The Coal Mine. I have not had a chance to try it yet so I don't know how good it is but they have a full menu. They have website so you could check them out.

[aynrandgirl]

Red Rock is out of business. It's been replaced by another coal oven pizza joint.

-----
Tucci's Fire n Coal Pizza
50 NE 1st Ave, Boca Raton, FL

[drighetti]

Red Rock is now Tucci's- pretty much the same menu, different owners.

[mcanni]

I've tried a few of these suggestions and have found Positano's to be pretty good.

Need more places, especially on Central Fla. - keep the suggestions comming.

I'll be in Boca Raton this weekend - any recommendations?

Thanks.

[drighetti]

I've got one for you to try. It's called Table 42 Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in downtown Boca Raton (Royal Palm Place shopping center). It used to be Coal Mine Pizza- same owners, new concept. Anyway, they have this to-die-for Truffle Pizza pie that is award winning. Seriously, the Operations Manager, Steve Lieber took home 1st place in the American Pizza Making Competition up in Orlando a few months back. Let me know what you think if you do go there.

[Podie1956]

I had a pie at Positano today and the crust was just perfect and the tomato sauce had little bits of tomato - man, am I glad I have one in the fridge to heat up!

[Podie1956]

Pisa Pizza on West Colonial Drive at Hiawassee Road, and Positano on West Colonial Drive at Good Homes Road.

[mcanni]

I had the pie at Piza Pizza and it is exactly typical of the style I'm tired of. All cheese, little sauce, soft mediocore dough.

Positano is now on the list - I heard good things about them, but, we'll see.

[saylynshoe]

Bellacino's in Sarasota at the corner of University Parkway and Honore has great pizza and some of the best grinders anywhere.

[netmover]

Angelo's on Hollywood Beach...from South Brooklyn to South Florida. Pretty good stuff actually!

[Bob Mervine]

I'm a fan of Brooklyn Pizza, both locations, and of Del Dio's, in the Bed and Bath Beyond strip mall just east of 17-92 on 436 at the end of the mall opposite where Beto's is located.

I have reccomended Antonio's in College Park in the past, but I don't have a good enough reading on the new owners to reeccomend them now.

Bob

[mcanni]

I have not tried Brooklyn Pizza - but the name is a good start.

Del Dio and Antonio's have pizzas that are ok if you accept the
" gotta have cheese all over with very little sauce" style.

Buy the way, my experience has been that if you don't get a slice thats just out of the oven these " cheese a llover" pies never get warmed up to the same quality.
The small amount of souce just gets dried out.

I tried Angolina"a on Kirkman last week and that is excactly what happened. Another dissapointment!
Anybody try their "Grandma's pizza" Looks promising.

I'm still looking for the type of pie as I described in my initial thread - Antonio's in Maitland had a "personal" size pizza that came close, butI have not tried them in years.

[BabyBee]

I live in Melbourne - I feel your pizza pain! We would love some suggestions for this area if anybody's got one!!

[cavandre]

From an ex-NYer...Best we've found in Melbourne so far is the Bizarro on AI & 5th (RT. 192) in Indiatlantic.

[cavandre]

Up date on that previous post...best NYC type pizza in the Melbourne area is at Brooklyn Pasta & Pizza in Viera.

http://brooklynpizzapasta.com/

[jbtjr]

Went to Brooklyn Pasta and Pizza tonight on the recommendations on this board having never ventured past Bizzaros. Amazing pie. I will not settle again. PS Service and house wine was great too!

[cavandre]

Glad you enjoyed it! It is nice to have this place here.

[cavandre]

The link above on Brooklyn Pizza no longer works...they are in the shopping center at the NW corner of Murrell & Viera.

[rshally]

Cappy's in Tampa on Bay to Bay Blvd does a pretty good job.

[Ruthie44]

I like Brooklyn Pizza in Winter Park or off of Pershing and Semoran. Also the NYPD downtown does a pretty good job. Good luck!

[mcanni]

NYPD is definitly decent among a sea of mediocraty.
I'll order a slice and a side of meatballs just to get some sauce on my pizza. Anybody else do that?

[michem]

I always order my pizza with a little extra sauce on it:)

[Manderley]

me too!

[michem]

Funny I just order my pizza with extra sauce!