Best Pizza in Orlando?

[Bill Leonard]

I couldn't find a thread dedicated to compiling a list on this topic... so here we go.

Can't find good pizza in Orlando for the life of me. I'm always befuddled as to how "Pizza Hut" is able to make it anywhere in the top 10 in "best of lists" for our city.

If you like "NY" style pizza, the Anthony's empire and every other knockoff has mediocre pie, but I'm of the opinion that not all pizza has to be big and floppy.

Stallone's on Kirkman makes a good sicilian pie, probably the best I've had in Orlando.

Scampi's in Apopka on 436 also has a really good sicilian pie.

I've seen an "Indiana" style pizza place - Chubby's in Apopka - come and go... and Ledo Pizza from Maryland had an Altamonte location for a while which I liked alot... now closed.

But what else? Any true Chicago pizza out there? What bout a Buffalo/upstate NY style (medium thickness crust, lots of toppigs, etc)?

Looking forward to the suggestions and discussion...

[up2speed]

Broadway Pizza hands down, click on the link:

http://www.broadwayfl.com/

Cornerstone is good too, although slightly greasy - click on the link:

http://www.cornerstone-pizza.com/

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Broadway Pizza Bar
403 Broadway, Kissimmee, FL 34741

[kinglouix]

Cornerstone may be the worst pizza I've ever tried in my life. I would rather it Geno's from my freezer.

[RobMaitland]

Broadway was good (been awhile), but I can't remember: don't they use screens. I like pizza cooked on the stone or brick.

Don't know Cornerstone.

[max5d]

As a NY style pizza addict, I'm always looking out for a nice slice of heaven. Not impressed with Anthony's pizza, and seems as if they are buying up other local pizzarias, while not changing the menu at first, they are bringing in their own sourced ingredients. I believe they've bought both Brooklyn Pizza locations, one on Pershing, and the other on Fairbanks. I've also been told they've recently bought Alfonso's on Edgewater. I used to frequent these places and the quality of the pie has decreased, though not bad. My favorite Sicilian (square) slices come from Valdiano's in the Winter Park Village. They serve two versions, one traditional, and one with the sauce on top of the cheese, both good with pillowy, delicate dough, and seemingly just the right combination of cheese and sauce. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pie here in Orlando, and appreciate everyone's input.

[kinglouix]

Sadly, there is no close to perfect pie in Orlando and the best you can hope for is something not awful. I got a pie at Paulie's in Altamonte Springs and thought it was better than Del Dio. Paulie's is just West of I-4 on Wymore Road, just South of 436. They have a website for directions. I personally thought they were better than Del Dio. Del Dio is okay but their sauce is low grade tomato paste and their Italian entrees are pretty scary. Amazing that low grade Anthony's can open a pizzeria on every corner and actually sell any they don't resemble New York in the least with their cardboard crust.

[RobMaitland]

Never been to Paulie's or even heard of it. Will give it a try. Thanks.

[RobMaitland]

Had a slice from Brooklyn on Fairbanks the other day and it wasn't very good. The ingredients were good, but it was not stretched or cooked well. It was soft and mushy. Maybe Anthony's did buy them.

[max5d]

I've had the same problem RobM. Not cooked enough. Gotta have the black burned bits on the bottom of a crispy crust to be good.
I've driven by Paulie's a thousand times and never stopped in. I'm gonna try it soon though Kingl. Thanks for the tip.

[RobMaitland]

There was a skunk line (a gummy layer) between the sauce and the cooked crust. Won't go back to Brooklyn. But will try Paulie's and report back.

[Sandwich_Sister]

We tried Anthony's coal fired pizza the weekend. My husband is a pizza snob. He travels a lot for work and has had what he considers the best pizza in Venice Italy and he second is actually in Germany. Go figure.

He knows he isn't going to find that here but he's still a bit snobby about it. and he was not impressed with Anthony's

It was decent, this location just opened so I'm not sure if that was the case but the pizza was just okay. I'd eat there again it wasn't horrible just no wow factor for us.

So I was wondering if anyone had been to Via Napoli, Epcot's new pizza restaurant in Italy World Showcase Yet? It's getting good reviews and I want to take my husband there. I was hoping we could find something that he likes a little better.

This is what the restaurant is boasting.

Authentic Neapolitan Pizzas

The delicious pizzas are made with real caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and water from a local spring similar to Italy's Campania region. They are cooked in authentic wood-burning ovens named after the 3 active volcanoes in Italy—Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.

To ensure every detail is perfect, Nick Valenti spent time in Naples studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon.

[JROBBIANI]

almost forgot another pizzeria...
if you ever make it out to St. Cloud there is an authentic NY style pizza place
La Bella Napoli Pizzeria in the Publix plaza.
It is a simple place but they have the best pizza and the cheapest prices.

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La Bella Napoli Pizzeria
4431 13th St, Saint Cloud, FL 34769

[Sandwich_Sister]

I'll have to check that one out.

[LI Girl]

You should also try DelDio's (over by Fashion Square, by the executive airport) - they have AWESOME pizza... the best I've had since leaving Long Island. The owner is from Brooklyn (authentic accent & everything!) and does a real NY style pie. Their chicken parm is amazing too.

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Pizzeria Del-Dio
3210 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

[Sandwich_Sister]

awesome, I will check it out and let you know :)

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Yes, that Del Dio's is very good.

[mountdorahound]

I have to agree with sister on anthony's coal fired,, OVERRATED!! But I always like the place in casselberry on 17-92 ,,I think its called Buffalo pizza and wings. These guys are from buffalo and the pizza is good for the price so are the wings. It's take out only. I Like Del Dio's as well

[RobMaitland]

Del Dio's in Casselberry just won the Foodie Critic's Choice Award for Best Pizza. And I agree. Abe makes a great pie.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Where did they move to? I heard they moved out of the strip mall on 436 and Oxford Road, where the Aldi supermarket is.

[RobMaitland]

Del Dio's Bistro
5650 Hway 17-92
Casselberry, FL 32707
Neighborhood: Casselberry

It is just north of 436 on the west side of 17-92 (next to Action Tire). It's a converted fast food place. I was so glad to see that they reopened. We love their pizza.

[phone]

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Oh no, that is a horrible location. I moved here at the end of 2004, and no restaurant has stayed very long in that space, especially with Amelia's RIGHT across the street. I wish them well, and need to stop by some time. Del Dio's definitely makes one of the best NY-style pizzas in town.

[RobMaitland]

I think Abe can do it. It isn't the best space, but he will survive and thrive. Amelia's has great calzone's and eggplant etc., but Abe's Pizza rocks.

You need to support good pizza and food here. Central Florida is getting better slowly but surely.

[askdrtodd]

agreed, I've always been unimpressed with Anthony's Pizza, but have always loved those herby wings they have. If you're in the Tampa area Wood Fired, Pane Rustica, and Pacis are my 3 faves for super thin pies (although Pane is more creative, less simplistic).

[RobMaitland]

A friend of mine loves Pane Rustica....haven't had a chance to go there yet. Thanks.

[bagofwater]

Planet Pizza, in Downtown Orlando. They do a good slice there, especially after a night of drinking. Their Sicilian is killer, too.

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Planet Pizza
14 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801

[Sandwich_Sister]

This is the problem with Planet Pizza. I've never eaten a slice sober. It is good pizza but I really can never remember just how good. :)

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Planet Pizza
14 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801

[floridaspizza]

The best I can recall having is Sopranos PIzza over on Curry Ford Road. I used to work right by the Scampis on 436 in Apopka and they are decent too. I don't care for their "sister" pizza joint on Rock Springs Road - Anthony's Pizza.

Floridaspizza.com - My journey to find real pizza in Florida...

[angels916]

NY style - NYPD Pizza
Chicago style - Giordano's

[kackybeans]

Philosophers Pie is the best ever AAAAAAAAAA+++++++++

[YosemiteSam]

Curious when you mention Anthony's here as mediocre do you mean the one downtown or the Anthony's Coal-Fired restaurants?

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

All the different Anthony's get confusing. I can think of one on Red Bug Lake Road in Winter Springs (Little Anthony's?), one next to the Publix on 17-92 in Casselberry, one in the Colonial Plaza next door to Toojay's near Bumby, and I think there's one at the Colonial and Mills intersection as well. I'm not sure if any of them are related.

However, I just returned to this thread to plug Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, which is a small Florida-based chain that started in South Florida, but doesn't have any relation to all the various Anthony's around Orlando. There are two Anthony's Coal Fired locations here: one near Mall at Millennia, and the one I've been to, on Turkey Lake and Sand Lake right off I-4, in the Whole Foods plaza. And I can finally say that they served the best pizza I've had in Orlando, after almost six years in town.

The pizza is very thin and crispy, baked in an anthracite coal-burning oven that goes up to 800 or 900 degrees, with a slightly charred outer crust. The sauce was delicious, and the toppings were outstanding. They have some great specials like an Italian sausage and broccoli rabe pizza, and one with meatballs, sausage, ricotta cheese, and either sweet or hot peppers. (I opted for a little of both!)

They also serve oven-roasted chicken wings that are supposed to blow all other wings away, as well as Italian-style spareribs, oven-roasted with hot peppers, vinegar, and rosemary, and served with soft, fresh-baked foccacia wedges. I love barbecue, and I think Four Rivers Smokehouse makes some pretty kick-ass spareribs, but these ribs at Anthony's Coal Fired were like nothing I've ever had before. They were truly amazing, as was the pizza. I HIGHLY recommend this place!

http://anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com/

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Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza
2218 N Congress Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33426

[mcanni]

Second the opinion on Anthony's Coal Fired. Pizza

Love the pizza and wings but never tried the ribs.

Heading there tonight!

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Heh, I just got back from my second lunch there. Finally tried the wings, which were definitely better than most, but I still like the spareribs better. My wife's pizza was excellent as usual.

[ewa95]

I vote for Anthony's !!! LOVE IT!!

[Jenipherlyn]

You are correct! Anthony's Coal Fried Pizza started as an upscale resturant in South Florida on the water. They served the same salad and were known for their seafood. It was DELIGHTFUL to say the least.

The pizza places now, have delicious pizza, a really GREAT salad, and crispythin eggplant parm that even the eggplant hater like myself loves.

I would really reccomend them!

Mellow Mushroom is also fun. A chain, but still a small mom/pop chain.

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Anthony's Coal Fried Pizza
2343 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994

[kinglouix]

Keep dreaming!! Orlando per size and population is the most pathetic food city in the country. There is no good New York Pizza in Orlando. Anthony's is cardboard with tomato paste as sauce. The Chinese is worse than the pizza. What is with the yellow fried rice with barely any pork and peas and carrots? Where did they import the Asians from here? Also downtown Orlando doesn't have a single edible restaurant, it is a bunch of vacant storefronts with empty highrised designed to appear like a city. Counting the days until I can get out of this crime ridden cesspool.

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New York Pizza
302 SW Tulip Blvd Ste C, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953

[Sandwich_Sister]

Looks like you don't share the same view as I do, and that is okay. I understand from a foodie stand point we don't have the best of the best in every cuisine. We can't compete with markets such as NYC, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Etc.

but we are growing in fact more now than ever. The food scene here is up and coming and I hope we continue to grow.

I agree with you about the Pizza. I have yet to really find a good NY Pizza here, hoping that will change.

and as far as Chinese goes we don't have all that much to offer in that department either. But we do have quite a bit of other things.

Our districts are becoming more refined. - Downtown, Vi-Mi, Milk, Audobon, SoDo.

Orlando is home now to two gastropubs that are noteworthy. The Ravenous Pig and the Social Chameleon.

Winter Park has several amazing places - the a fore mentioned TRP, Luma, Paris Bistro etc.

Dr. Philips/ Sand lake - Restaurants row has some nice restaurants - Most notably Anatolia, Press 101, and Wa.

International Drive area is the area to go for Indian cuisine and the always fun Cafe Tu Tu Tango and Nile Ethiopian.

We've got two good soul food places - Johnson's Diner and Mama Nems

We got a decent oyster dive bar - Lee and Ricks

Orlando is starting to embrace the beer culture. More places are carrying quality microbrews, hoppy IPA's and such.

The Vi-Mi district is the place to go for Vietnamese food - Pho 88, Ba Le Bakery, Vinh's.

Downtown has never been foodie central, or at least not since I've been going there. There is Ceviche is one I like.

Orlando is unique and it has it's charm and it's quirks.

I would encourage you to embrace Orlando for what it is and not dwell on what it isn't..

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Cafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Press 101
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd Ste 22, Orlando, FL 32819

Johnson's Diner
595 W Church St Ste E, Orlando, FL 32805

Paris Bistro
3586 Aloma Ave Ste 7, Winter Park, FL 32792

[Jenipherlyn]

I've never heard of either of those soul food places. Thanks!

[Sandwich_Sister]

Unfortunately Johnson's Diner has now closed :(

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Johnson's Diner
595 W Church St Ste E, Orlando, FL 32805

[YosemiteSam]

Don't let the door hit you on the way out of town....good riddance whiner.

[Sandwich_Sister]

Hah! Spoken like a true local. :)

[Corporate_40]

Believe it or not, Pizza Xtreme on Kirkman is pretty darn good. Its not the best I've ever had, but for Orlando, its pretty much up there for me.

Being from Philly and having spent so much time in NY, I know I'll never get a cheesesteak or a slice like I would in those places, so I've just lowered my expectations. But I was very happy to eat a slice at Pizza Xtreme.

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Pizza Xtreme
7250 S Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32819

[Sandwich_Sister]

Just finished eating lunch from Pizza Xtreme and found it quite amazing. One of the best in Orlando in my book.

and it's not a chain and is independently own which I love because I get a chance to support the locals here in Orlando.

It looks like word of mouth is spreading though. I called in an order and they were already slammed I picked it up before noon and almost all of the tables were taken. It's good news that they are doing so well though.

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Pizza Xtreme
7250 S Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32819

[pdpredtide]

still searching

[Sandwich_Sister]

Also just wanted to mention those "best of list". I am so disappointed with those list, is it true that most Orlandoians much perfer the likes of chains such as subway, olive garden and pizza hut over higher quality mom and pop shops, or really culinary cuisine?

When I fill those things out, such as the orlando weekly best of, if I can't think of anything better than a nation chain for best "so and so". I leave that blank. I think more people should do that and then the best of list would not consider pizza hut, subway, or burgerking to be the best of in the city.

[watch me eat]

Ledo Pizza... I ate at their Altamonte location once when they were open and that was enough for me. To me, their pizza looked and tasted like they served a frozen microwave pizza. I felt no loss when that place closed.

[Sandwich_Sister]

Pizza in Orlando can be confusing because at first look it's just a bunch of chain restaurants.

Here's some places I tend to like:

Pizza Places
La Bella Luna - two locations Millenia Mall and Baldwin Park
Stallones

Places that offer people
Luma - The offer 3 kinds of pies all very delicious
Cafe Tu Tu Tango - I love their pumpkin pizza and their 5 cheese pizza

Chains
NYPD Pizza
Flippers Pizza
Mellow Mushroom

I'm still looking for a true chicago pizzaria, Unos just isn't going to cut it.

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Cafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Park Place Cafe
621 NW 53rd St, Boca Raton, FL 33487

Bella Luna Cafe
3425 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474

Pizza Place
6408 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32818

[Bill Leonard]

Hey Thanks!

Well as for Chicago pizza, believe it or not I just found out today they have opened, and are opening more, Giordano's (one of the true Chicago staples) here in Orlando!

http://www.giordanos.com/floridalocat...

[Sandwich_Sister]

I've never been there, I will have to try it out. I wish we had more unique pizza places, or a place that specializes in a good neopolatan pizza

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

I love big, crispy NY-style slices, but I also agree that it would be nice to have more variety. I have fond memories of thick rectangular Sicilian pizza slices, and my wife likes Chicago-style the best (although both nearby Uno's have closed in the last year, and the promised Altamonte Springs Giordano's never opened).

We'd all be overjoyed if Imo's opened here, so Orlando would have access to thin, crispy, square slices of St. Louis-style pizza with gooey, melty Provel cheese.