Detroit-Style Perfection From Buddy’s. Credit: Buddy’s Pizza
Pizza just may be the most perfect food ever created. It’s rich, umami-filled, amazingly diverse and one of the only items most children will eagerly eat. The beloved dish comes in very different forms, of course, depending on where you go for it.
Classic pies can be had in Italy, where Sicily, Rome and Naples have cornered the markets. But in the United States, where immigrants brought a passion and hunger for pizza, the food has been given a deliciously local twist. New York is famous for large, thin slices; Chicago has a cracker-like crust and a hearty, deep-dish variety; and Detroit offers a unique take on Sicilian-style pies.
To get a sense of pizza’s evolution, consider visiting these four places and eating as many slices as you can.
Speedy Romeo. Credit: Linnea Covington
NEW YORK CITY
It would be hard to talk about pizza without bringing up the United States’ most famous market. This style of pie is large and tends to be sold by the slice. The thin crust is easy to fold, something many locals will encourage you to do. Just don’t think about breaking out a knife and fork — that’s largely considered a faux pas in this city.
But while classic New York-sized slices reign, you will find so many other great variations that we would be remiss to skip some of the best venues for the dish.
Newer to the market is Speedy Romeo, a two-shop restaurant owned by chef Justin Bazdarich where everything is cooked by wood fire. Must-haves include the Kind Brother with béchamel, wild mushroom, smoked mozzarella and a farm egg; and the St. Louie, a St. Louis-inspired pie with housemade pickled chiles, Italian sausage, pepperoni and Provel cheese.
For a side of celebrity sightings with your meal, Lucali in downtown Brooklyn is worth a ride over the bridge.
While in the borough, go deeper in and make a stop at the famous Di Fara Pizza, Domenico De Marco’s joint that has remained consistently good since the 1960s.
And whether you are in Brooklyn or Manhattan, pop over to the popular Emily, a cozy, two-location pizzeria featuring wood-fired Neapolitan pies.
Of course, for that classic New York-style slice, Joe’s in Greenwich Village has what you need.
Where to lie after the pie
Just as there are so many great pizza places to try, picking a place to stay in the Big Apple can be a challenge. When considering your mouthwatering journey, make a decision based on location.
The Four-Star Crosby Street Hotel is situated near a must-visit destination, the low-brow but high-quality Prince Street Pizza. Order a slice of the grandma-style pepperoni to go and consider your pizza goals met.
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CHICAGO
The Windy City is known for two very distinct types of pizza. One has a thin, cracker-like crust that makes the eating experience dainty and crunchy. Then there’s the deep dish, an uber-thick crust akin to a bread bowl that can fill you up with one slice. People have their favorite, and most will argue until the end of time about which type is best.
One of the purported inventors of the Chicago-style deep-dish was the team at Pizzeria Uno. While the pizza shop has expanded nationwide, you can still eat at the original location downtown on East Ohio Street.
Uno’s might have started the trend, but this city boasts a smorgasbord of old-school deep-dish joints to try. Continue your pizza-fueled journey at Gino’s East, a graffiti-covered staple that opened in 1966 and has since expanded across the country.
Around the same time, Jim Stolfe opened Connie’s Pizza, another hot spot that has spread the Chicago-style pie love to other states (you can even have it shipped to you).
Another eatery famous for deep dish is Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Though it opened in 1971 in Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of the city, the ingredient-stuffed pies can be found all around town these days.
Of course, superb thin crust also shines, and in the sea of deep dish, Palermo’s in Oak Lawn stands out as a winner.
Newer on the scene, but just as good, is The Art of Pizza, which offers both a deep dish and thin crust with toppings that range from your traditional sausage and basil to your more unconventional turkey breast, shrimp and broccoli.
Where to lie after the pie
Rest your head at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended JW Marriott Chicago. Come for the wood-fired pizzas at onsite restaurant The Florentine, and stay for the hotel’s sleek, modern accommodations.
Or, if you need a break from all the gorging, consider checking into Five-Star The Langham, situated right beside the Chicago River. Here, Travelle Kitchen + Bar has no pizza to speak of, but you can get a vegetable-heavy seasonal salad or grilled duck breast to balance all of the carbs you’ve been devouring.
Buddy’s. Credit: Buddy’s Pizza
DETROIT
Pizza from this Michigan metropolis might not be as well-known as those from Chicago or New York, but once you have it, you’ll understand why it deserves to be on this list. Detroit-style pizza is a deep-dish square that features a chewy yet crunchy crust and sweetish red sauce. The best part is the caramelized cheese that frames the whole thing, giving each slice a crunchy, umami depth that makes it addictive. It’s a cheesy take on the Sicilian-style pie, and one worth seeking out.
Buddy’s Pizza is credited with creating the Detroit-style pie in 1946, when it was called Buddy’s Rendezvous. Today, many locations of this shop are found around town, where you can dine in and taste the original goodness. You can also get a pie delivered from Cloverleaf, a classic shop founded by Buddy’s own Gus Guerra in the 1950s.
If you want an elevated slice of the square creation, visit Pie-Sci Pizza, a newer spot that features flavor combinations such as Thai on Fire (peanut sauce, chicken, yellow squash, mozzarella and lemon) and the Brussel Simmons (a white pie with garlic oil, roasted Brussels sprouts, feta, bacon, mozzarella and a balsamic glaze drizzled over it all).
For a Greek twist on the classic pie, Niki’s Greektown Pizza proves delicious and different in the best possible way.
Where to lie after the pie
While on your Motor City adventure, stay at Four-Star MGM Grand Detroit, where luxury is paired with live entertainment and fun. And, in case you still have a hankering for more Detroit-style pizza, the hotel’s Tap restaurant has you covered.
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ROME
The ancient Italian capital is full of mystery, history, romance and pizza. Traditional Roman-style pies feature a familiar thin-to-medium-thick crust made with olive oil, flour, water, yeast, salt and a pinch of sugar. A classic combination is the pizza Bianca, a tomato-less version anointed with olive oil.
While this basic pie is definitely a staple, the most popular type of pizza in Rome is the giant square pizza al taglio, which translates to “pizza by the cut.” These are sold all over the city out of small shops and storefronts, where you are charged not per slice, but based on the weight of the piece.
As for where to go, high on the list is Forno Campo de’ Fiori, a bakery that has been serving pizza for more than 40 years.
You should also visit the charming La Gatta Mangiona, a whimsical spot with history and a lot of cat-themed decor.
Make sure to try a scrocchiarella — a small, round Roman-style pizza with a crispy, thin crust — at Pizzeria Da Remo. Just keep in mind this place has a cult following and fills up early each night.
Where to lie after the pie
Enjoy a Five-Star stay in the Eternal City, complete with pizza on the menu, at Hotel Hassler Roma. The refined property serves an array of simple pies created by chef Francesco Apreda at Palm Court, the hotel’s laid-back, all-day garden dining space.
