Best thin crust pizza in the DC area

[jrl2929]

I looked didn't see a recent post about this. My husband is from central Jersey near the shore and they have a pizza place called Pete and Elda's (sp.). They have the thinnest pizza crust I've ever had, it's almost like matzoh and it's amazing.

Are there any great pizza places in the DC metro area that have thin crust (super thin) pizza?

[themeatguy]

Vace Bethesda........
They do it like no one can......it is Awesome!

[Steve]

I love Vace pizza, but I am surprised to hear you think the crust is very thin. I've always thought it was quite substantial.

2 Amys is exactly what you seek.

[themeatguy]

Steve....I didn't say they had thin crust......jrl2929 said something about thin crust....

[ktmoomau]

Two Anys makes thin Neapolitan pizza which is very good.

[Gigi007]

I second the recommendation for Two Amys. Vace isn't bad either, but Two Amys sauce has more flavor and fresher ingredients like bufalo mozzarella. Some of my friends also like the wood-fired thin pizza at Sorriso, and while I like the homemade pasta dishes, I'm not a fan of the pizza there (not crunchy/crisp enough and again, Two Amys' pizza is better).

[wayne keyser]

Matzoh ... I think that's the word I've been looking for, but (never having tried any) I didn't have.

A while back, there were some posts about Pizza Pantry in Arlington http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/541021 and it sounds like what you want, but I'm hesitant recommending that a fellow 'Hound take a chance on a downscale takeout.

When I'm around the area, but not near home, I get almost the same thing (maybe a little higher on the "downscale-upscale" spectrum) at Ledo's. There are several of them around. BTW, a "large" Ledo pizza couls have fed the entire inauguration crowd.

[monkeyrotica]

Pizza Pantry/Pizza Oven/Italian Inn/Original Ledo's/Mario's/Marinos all serves the same type of "DC style pizza." It's not chicago. It's not New York slice. It's a local thing: rectangular, sweet sauce, provolone cheese, and a buttery, crackery, crust. It is thin, but I don't think it's what the original poster is looking for. It's definitely not light like a mazoh or thin like a cracker. An acquired taste, for sure, but one that can only be satisfied around DC.

[cb1]

You are so right Monkey.......I grew up here, love original Ledo's and Italian Inn......but it is a very local thing. I know people who don't like it at all....good, more for me!!

[monkeyrotica]

It's like "DC style steak and cheese" versus "Philly style cheesesteaks." Philly natives just can't accept that some people grew up liking lettuce, tomato, and mayo on their steak and cheese.

I won't even get into the whole halfsmoke vs Chicago dog vs NY weenie debate.

[monavano]

Hey Monkey,
You are so right. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at the LTM on the steak and cheeses here. But....then I realized...hey! I like it, I just don't like the semantics. In Philly, it's a cheesesteak hoagie, that's all. And, it's on most every steak joints menu!
Hell, I'll even be IN THE MOOD for one now!! I know I used to order them from time to time in Philly.
I like the Italian Store pizza a whole lot. So does my DH, and he's from Jersey (northern/central). It just reminds us of what we grew up with, not that it's any better or true than many of the pretty good slices you can get around here.
Another "true slice" is Valentino's in Alexandria/Annandale.

[pastoralia]

I didn't realize this was a regional thing. I used to go to Rehobeth Beach years ago and loved their cheesesteaks with the lettuce, tomatoes and peppers--even though they are nothing like a Philly cheesesteak.

Is there a good place in DC to get a "DC style" cheesesteak?

[monkeyrotica]

Most Chinese carryouts downtown that serve pizza-chicken-chinese-subs will make you one. They're all about the same. I prefer "Evil" Danny's on H Street NE, just because you can order a steak and ham and egg and cheese sub with EXTRA ham and bacon.

Mario's and The Broiler are also good at this.

[Dennis S]

My heart just stopped reading that description:

>> you can order a steak and ham and egg and cheese sub with EXTRA ham and bacon

[alkapal]

that sandwich of monkeyrotica's is also known as "cardiologist's dream".

[recipelover]

There are cheese steaks and there are Philly cheese steaks. I grew up in the Philly area eating Philly cheese steaks and hoagies several times each week. Just stop calling everything a Philly cheese steak and identify the item correctly. There is no good or bad...just DIFFERENT!

[Dennis S]

Esp. when you confuse the DC Cheese and Steak sandwich!

[cb1]

now how did you know I like may on my cheesesteaks? ;)

[KevinS]

Sorry, you will not find anything remotely close to Pete and Elda's in this area. You will need to adjust your expectations downward, or develop an appreciation for authentic, Neoplitan style pizza. That is a different animal from Jersey/NY style, quite enjoyable, but different than what you were raised on.

[ktmoomau]

The Italian Store has big slices, that are relatively thin, but I am not crazy about their pizza, to me it is too cheesy and almost is gloopy I guess, but a lot of people really like it so you might try that too?

I don't remember exactly how thick Matchbox's pizza is, but I don't think it is too thick and I really like it? I think they have good toppings too?

And if you happen to work in Ballston or are ever there during weekday lunch time the food cart Pupatella makes great thin pizza?

Good luck!

[Gigi007]

I like Matchbox, but not for its pizza. Matchbox's pizza is really thin, but has very little sauce. The last few times I've had it, it was extremely garlicky. If you like garlic, maybe it's a good choice, but honestly I think Two Amy's pizza is a lot better.

I've never tried any matzoh-thin pizza in DC before. Let us know if you find some!

[Smiles2008]

Italian Store in Arlington-Big Thin NY Style
Rusticos in Alexandria
2 Amy's
Pizza Paridisio
Vapianio's

[gatorfoodie]

I'll second Pizzaria Paradiso...Still by far my favorite pizza in town

[jkosnett]

Is there anywhere besides The Italian Store in Arlington north/west of Route 50 to get pizza by the slice?

[Ericandblueboy]

You can get pizza by the slice at Church St. Pizzeria. Good thin crust,

115 Church St.
Vienna, VA 22180

[jkosnett]

Thanks, if I'm near Vienna, I'll try it. . I phrased my question badly. I mean Arlington proper, north and west sides...

[MikeR]

Broadway Pizza and Frozen Dairy Bar at Rt. 50 and Annandale Rd has pizza by the slice, and it's not bad at all. Not thin crust, though.

Maybe I've never had good thin crust pizza, but I just don't get it based on the examples I've tried. It might be better for you, but what's pizza if not decent bread with a topping? Making it thin and crispy kind of defeats the idea in my mind.

[jkosnett]

Thanks, Mike. That's still further out than I'm looking for. The deal is I leave my office in downtown Washington on Mondays at 5 :15 or 5:30 and need to grab something before my bridge game in north Arlington at 7:00. Hence my familiarity with the Italian Store, Rocklands, and (unfortunately) the Taco Bell on Lee Highway past Glebe Road. I've occasionally left early enough to hit the Caribbean place on Lee near George Mason. But if I want a slice or two of good old New Jersey/New York pizza, is there any nearby alternative?

[Dennis S]

I just found Caribbean Grill last week. My new favorite joint.

[MikeR]

Oh, right. You're the one who was looking for a fish sandwich. Assuming your bridge game is in the part of Arlington close to The Italian Store, that's probably your best bet for pizza by the slice. Valintino's is indeed excellent, but it's very far off course for you. Can't you find a bridge game in South Arlington? ;)

[monkeyrotica]

Valentino's does slices. Thin crust NY slices that were meant for folding. Kinda like what you'd find at any Ray's Pizza in NYC.

[Dennis S]

Is that Ray's Famous, or Famous Rays, or Original Ray's, or...

: )

[monkeyrotica]

It's Original Famous Rays (not affiliated with Famous Original Rays).

[alkapal]

the deli next to pasha cafe in arlington (cherrydale deli?) has a good looking pizza by the slice. their gyros rock, too.

do NOT go to yorktown bistro. horrible cardboard pizzas.

pie-tanza's personal pizza is available as a lunch special, and is about the same price (plus or minus a bit) as two slices of italian store's.

if you go to italian store, don't get the extra large pizza, it is gloppy, as noted by ktmoomau.

faccia luna and pie-tanza are pretty good. fresh ingredients, thin crust, wood-fired. pie-tanza's crust is thinner.

[monavano]

I wanted to share what I wrote on DR.com:

Mr. MV and I had not been to Faccia Luna since we dated, so after making an exchange at Williams Sonoma next door, we decided it was time to go back. Whenever we were on that block for WS, or Southside 815, we couldn't help but notice how many neighborood folks were picking up pizzas for take out. So, that's what we decided to focus on for our entree. We shared a 14 inch (large) Margherita Pizza. The sauce and cheese were delicious, and made eating it from the tip to the middle outstanding. However, the dough got less topping a bit thicker towards the crust, which could have stood for more browning and a bit of char coming out of an oven that looked and smelled promising. My dogs enjoyed the crusts when I got home, so nothing went to waste!
Prior to the pizza, I had a perfectly average, if not over-dressed Caesar salad. Mr. MV ordered a special of PEI mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce. The generous portion of plump, juicy, perfectly cooked (and not at all sandy) mussels were terrific, as was the broth which we sopped up with some crusty bread.
Our server was very pleasant (right on top of refills), however, a runner serving a nice piping hot pizza when we were nowhere near done our apps is just sucky. I didn't send it back, nor did we reflect our displeasure in the tip, but wow....to plop a pizza down when it's plain to see we have just begun to dig into our apps was just not thinking, and not well-timed. I should have sent it back, and will pipe up next time, as I am pretty sure that popping the pizza back into the pizza oven 10 minutes later would have been OK.
I would go back to try more of the menu, particularly the pastas. As for the pizza, I'd try more of that too, but be sure to let them know I want it served AFTER any apps ordered.

[ktmoomau]

I always find their pizza really salty, not extrememly noteably tastewise, but at least the Arlington location, I always find myself super thirsty and thinking it was really salty afterwards. It is ok, and they normally have a nice lunch special with a salad, I wish it were better. Actually I really just wish Pupatella had longer hours.

[dan f.]

RedRocks pizza and Pete's Apizza, within walking distance of each other in Columbia Heights, are both worth a try if you want thin crust. I'm originally from NYC & I agree with poster who says you have to adjust your standards if you've just arrived from somewhere in the pizza belt, like Jersey. But the places mentioned above, plus 2Amys and Alberto's and other places mentioned herein put together some more-than-acceptable pies.

[DCNatFan]

Mia's in Bethesda. Putting out some of the best pizza in the area these days. Actually better than my last last couple trips to Two Amy's, where we encountered soupy pizza.

Although, Two Amy's is still the place for small plates of great apps.

[tigerd]

If you like New York./Jersey style pizza - you have to try Tony's NY Pizza in Fairfax - in the Fair Lakes Shopping Center. My hubby is from Queens and craves this pizza every WEEK!

[pizzagood]

Emilio's Brick Oven Pizza is the best, seemingly unknown place in NoVa.
http://www.shopsterling.com/business/...
Sterling and Leesburg locations
I'm always suprised that it's not on any of the best of DC lists.

[themeatguy]

WOW....I think thats a strech.....To call Emilio's the best is like saying Clyde's is 4 stars.
Don't get me wrong, but Emilio's is good wood oven pizza. But not in the same class as Vace, Two Amy's, Pizzeria Paradiso or even Saratoga Pizza......
Plus, everytime I have been to Emilio's, the Sysco boxes outside of their building tell me that they aren't using the freshest of products. Not bashing sysco, but I like to know that where I am eating are getting the best products and not just what is Cheap..

[monkeyrotica]

I've seen Sysco boxes at Paradiso, and the Sysco truck parked next to Vace.

[DanielK]

Look, even 4-star restaurants might buy paper towels from Sysco. That can't be the final judge of quality, just seeing the boxes.

[BlueRidgePro]

Sysco supplies most of the top restaurants i the area. Hard to figure how you see that that correlating in any way to restaurant quality.

I find that Emilio's pizza is every bit as good as Pizza Paradiso, and the atmosphere is much nicer, especially in the new Landsdowne location. It also has a large selection of food beyond pizza.

At Pizza Paradiso in Georgetown, we found the place cramped, crowded, and noisy, with tables jammed up against each other. That speaks well for popularity, but doesn't make for a relaxed meal. Pizza was good, but the service and atmosphere detracted.

Neither place can compare with the top New York City pizza places, like Lombardi's or Ray's.

[monkeyrotica]

Be fair. Lombardi's uses a coal-fired oven, something that will never happen in DC with emissions laws.

And which Ray's are you talking about? Famous Original Ray's or Original Famous Ray's?

[BlueRidgePro]

Ray's in the Village, at 6th & 11th, near St Vincents Hospital. Started going there in the early 70's, before the copy cats all sprung up.

I believe that it's current name is Famous Ray's Pizza of Greenwich Village‎.

[themeatguy]

1st....Vace doesn't buy from Sysco....This is something that I know to be 100% fact.

2nd....all I am saying with the sysco thing is this.....it's ok to buy your Mayo, glasswear, canned tomatoes, papergoods....stuff like that.....But if you're an italian restaurant and your buying pre-cooked sausage (like the box I saw outside their back door) or precut - frozen veal cutlets (like the other box I saw) then I am sorry.....To me that isn't good. I like to go to places that use the freshest meats, cheeses and veggies possible....Don't you?

US Foods, PFG, SYSCO......Chefs now a days are told in culinary school that it is ok to buy their proteins from their broadliner....I KNOW....I have a bs of Kendal Culinary school in Chicago...I have been told it......IT'S NOT OKAY...It really isn't!

Ask Eric at Cityzen, or Jon Krinn or Michel Richard....Or Even Clydes, paulo's, 2 amy's or pizza paradiso if they buy their meats from sysco....EVERYONE of them will say no.....Why......Because they care about quality and service.....

Sysco is nice if you are a McRestaurant...and you just want to turn and burn, with low labor costs and middle of the road food....Be real please......
You can't put Emilio's up there with two amy's period.......It just isn't the same product.....The atmosphere might be nice, but tell me this...
Why is Not your average Joes SLAMMED on a tuesday, and Emilio's dead?
I can answer that simply.....They buy fresh meats, seafood and poultry from a local meat supplier...I know the salesman for the company.
So jump on me if you like, but as someone that knows a little bit about most of the restaurants that we are talking about.....I just think that I offer a perspective that someothers can't!

[ChocoHound]

Pie Tanza in Arlington is relatively thin crust and very fresh. I like it better than 2 Amys.

[flipeatery]

I agree with Pie Tanza. The other one i would recommend is Lost Dog Cafe in Arlington. Pretty good thin crust pizza.

[flavrmeistr]

Lost Dog has a pretty decent pie. Order the small or medium if you like a crispy to well-done pie.

[BontheC]

I was born and raised in Chicago and yes, eventhough the Windy City is known for their deep dish it also has awesome thin crust, always cut in squares. There are a few decent places in the area, but since we live in Annapolis, we don't get to places like Matchbox too often. So we do our own. It is so easy thanks to Trader Joe's 99 cent dough balls.

So if you can't find what you are looking for, give homemade a try. The dough is so forgivable and easy to roll out. (better to stretch but that takes practice). You can make it as thin or thick as you want it. We prefer it quite thin and it cooks up beautifully.

Chicagoans prefer sausage unlike the rest of the country that opts for pepperoni and finding good italian fresh sausage is pretty easy. We also mix up the cheese using fontina, mozzarella and provolone and sometimes asiago. We like mushrooms too so we saute fresh ones in olive oil with a touch of butter on high heat until they are golden brown adding salt and garlic powder.

If you like seafood, you can make a white pizza with shrimp scampi. Again, so easy to make with the purchased dough. We simmer olive oil with crushed garlic cloves, dried oregano and hot pepper flakes until the oil is infused and the garlic roasted. We puree it and then use that to coat the dough instead of pizza sauce.

We slice the shrimp down the middle and saute them in olive oil, butter, garlic powder, and salt for just a minute or two, so they get the flavor but are not cooked thru. Then we stretch the dough, brush on the infused oil, sprinkle some parm, and top with shrimp and the three/four cheese blend. Absolutely first rate.

Having pizza pans with holes is important, since it helps the bottom cook and crisp up. Haven't mastered a pizza stone since getting a really thin crust to the stone takes practice. You can probably get by with a no hole pan on the scampi since it has less moisture than the sausage pizza with the red sauce. Convection is great too, but if you don't have it you just cook it on the highest temp possible (but not broiling), on middle rack or start low and end high adjusting the racks.

The next day, the pizza heats up great in the oven too, getting back it's crispness easily. (If you have any left). Making our own is the only way we survive in between our visits back home.

[BlueRidgePro]

For pizza crazies - there is an interesting article on different styles of pizza on this web site.

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives...

[pastoralia]

Great link...while I love my NYC pizza (DiFara's is simply a slice of heaven) I do miss the cracker-thin crusts from my hometown Milwaukee.

[RosyRosy]

I am so HAPPY to hear Pizza Pantry in Arlington is back!! If you like thin crust, you'll love this. The larger is square and the crust is almost pastry like. You'll love it! I can't wait to get back up there and get me a pizza!!!

[Steve]

Pizza Pantry crust is Pillsbury-style, like biscuits-in-a-can. A guilty pleasure for some, I guess, but for everybody else just really bad pizza.

[monkeyrotica]

And I'm pretty sure that's not what the original poster was looking for. I like Pizza Pantry/Pizza Oven/Original Ledo's pizza, but I wouldn't call it "almost like mazoh." Almost like a Ritz Cracker if the Ritz company made biscuity pizza crusts, more like.

[JeffreyMullins]

I have read through this post and recognize that the discussion has certainly digressed from the original question. As such, I'll put in my two cents: though not exactly what you are looking for, Ledo's is great, slightly sweet, DC area pizza. Vace's is really good and pretty similar to NY style pizza. 2 Amy's is a slightly more traditional Italian pizza shop, usually using olive oil and very fresh mozzarella. Those are my three favorites in the area.
However, Vince and Dominic's (near Montgomery Mall) in Bethesda has great thin crust pizza. For locals, its their favorite pizza in the area and certainly rates highly for me. It is probably the closest to what you are looking for. Particularly during Passover (if you are interested), they have pizza that is actually made out of matzo. You won't believe how tasty it is.

[DanielK]

>> Vince and Dominic's (near Montgomery Mall) in Bethesda has great thin crust pizza. For locals, its their favorite pizza in the area

STRONGLY disagree. Doughy, tasteless crust, cheese from a box, and sauce that's more sugar than tomato. Pale imitation of a NY pie. In MoCo, Mamma Lucia's (Federal Plaza location only) and Giuseppi's are much closer to NYC style.

[flavrmeistr]

I like Vace about the best in the DC area. Most of the pizza in this town runs the gamut from unremarkable to revolting. A damn shame, is what it is.

[monkeyrotica]

joe h. seems to have found your 'mazoh' pizza. It's called "Flippin Pie" and it's in Fair Lakes.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5943...

[jrl2929]

I had no idea my questions was going to get so many responses. My husband and I live in upper Montgomery County but we happen to be going to a friend's in VA for pizza on Friday night. Both of them are from this area of NJ I mentioned. We'll have to try this place in Reston. Thanks!!!

[Joe H]

It really is what they are looking for BUT I stopped posting about it because everyone who goes there orders it by the slice. I've ONLY HAD THE WHOLE PIE. The three times that I've been the slices looked like they had been sitting out for a long time; plus, they are baked a second time. They really just didn't look that good. Still, for someone who goes AND ORDERS THE WHOLE PIE I think they'll find that it is a slightly better than average pie similar to what you find in a slightly better than average neighborhood pizza joint in the New York metro area. It's local competition is a franchised Ledo's which, in its own way is good, too. (No, not as good as the original which I ate growing up once a week.) This is not DiFara's (which I've had) nor a coal oven pie nor Una Pizza Napoletana (which I've also had). It is what it is and is worth seeking out if you live within 10-15 minutes of the South Lakes Shopping Center. Not 20. It's a neighborhood recommendation not a worth the drive kind of thing like I once did for American Flatbread in Ashburn. Sorry, monkeyerotica for all of my qualifications but after three trips I feel comfortable with recommending it BUT it really does come down to expectations. I also long ago found out that being truly specific doesn't work: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/288918
THE WHOLE PIE AND ONLY THE WHOLE PIE.
The whole pie and only the whole pie.
THE WHOLE PIE AND ONLY THE WHOLE PIE.
The whole pie and only the whole pie.
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the whole pie....................
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the whole pie

[foodcheck]

I haven't had pizza many places here, but the best sure isn't 2 Amys, one of the most overrated restaurants in DC. The pizza raw ingredients are good, but they invariably ruin them. The pizza is often sopping wet on top and burnt on the bottom. How they accomplish this is beyond me. Maybe that's supposed to be the "authentic Sicilian rustic style" for all the foodies, but I really wonder about the objectivity and integrity of many of the most popular food critics here who rave about such places. Any non-pizza items that they don't have to cook are much better, since the ingredients are far better than the chefs.
Just about all of Vace's products, including their pizza, are good. (The crust leasn toward the thinner side.) The ingredients aren't as fresh as Amy's, but their pizzas are a lot less expensive and are seasoned and baked properly.
Pizza Paradisio was also good but I haven't been there in years.
Ledos is sugary and inedible, Vince&Dominics is pretty bad, and Mama Luccias is OK .
Most places with a wood-burning oven and thin crusts will be pretty good. For example, a couple places downtown and Riccuiti's in Olney.

[monkeyrotica]

Agree about 2 Amys. Been twice and both times I've been like, it's alright, but the pricepoint is high and the pie just meh. And if I wanted to eat pizza in a nursery, I could do that cheaper elsewhere.

And also, Ledo's chain stores are completely inedible. But the original Langley location is good; the sauce is sweet but the thick pepperoni and provolone are salty enough to offset the sweetness of the sauce.

[foodcheck]

Haven't had Ledo's at the original location in many years. I remember it as quite good, not like the other locations, but my tastes (or they) may have changed.

[Steve]

"I really wonder about the objectivity and integrity of many of the most popular food critics here"

You're right, everyone who disagrees with you is secretly on the take with 2 Amys. We don't get paid money, but we receive free toppings.

Feel better now?

[Blarnson]

Pete and Eldas? More of a Vic's or Squan Tavern fan myself.

Pomodoro in Fairfax beats Tony's hands down.

[MZnKBC]

Nest.
It is excellent...

[districtSW]

I know its a bit far but if you're ever in Baltimore Iggies is excellent. They use very creative topping combinations such as duck, goat cheese, and asparagus. Also its BYOB with no corkage fee which is pretty rare in the DC metro area.

[Jelyna]

Might be an odd pick, but Potenza (downtown DC) has the thinnest crust I've ever eaten. If the crust is bent, it can crack like a cracker.