Buffalo's Pizza War
A few weeks ago queenseyes told us that the recently revamped Fortunato’s Supper Club had closed its doors. Over a day or two, the comment string attached to that post developed a secondary conversation about pizzerias.
In Buffalo, we hear people argue about pizza all of the time, almost as much as they do about the Bills or any project associated with tax breaks, but it actually doesn’t happen very often here, on the site. One merely needs to whisper the word “supermarket” and the boards explode, but we rarely see a pizza debate like we did on the Fortunato’s post. Here’s a very small sampling of the comments.
sbrof said:
“There are more pizza shops on T-street than all of the elmwood village and allentown combined. Man I would pay double their price to have Ricotta's deliver to Allentown. NOTHING compares to their pizza, what other pizza shop can open up at 3pm, close at 11pm and do enough business to support themselves... It is all about quality.”
icecreamsub said:
“Milano's on Englewood is always my first choice.” and “The Economist has done numerous studies on the pizza wars in Buffalo...it is a very volatile industry in WNY.”
crc said:
“You can't beat Bocce club (or Milanos - same recipe). Bob and John's isn't bad in a pinch, but overpriced for the quality. Imperial in South Buffalo rocks as well.”
Joshua said:
“Lomato's had the best pizza in the City period. Bocce club is good but it's not in the City. You probably never even had Lomatos pizza. In fact I just stopped into buy a pizza at Mustachios (the former Lomato's) and the owner said that he sold the business. Bob and John's pizza really sucks. Mustachios is a far cry to Lomato's quality.”
Buffalo empires have been built upon our devotion to the stuff and our reputation for good, cheap pizza proceeds us. It's no wonder that people feel passionately about their favorite pie. The stumbling block that I've most often seen develop in conversations about this topic is that a pizza is the sum of its parts, and most of the pizzerias in Buffalo, in my opinion, have one or two of the parts right but not enough of them to make the sum worth talking about. There are a lot of good crusts out there, a handful of good sauces, but who does both--and tops it with a really good quality cheese resulting in a well-made and well-baked pizza time and time again?
Also, it's important that we level the playing field-- we’ll leave out white pizzas, toppings, seasoned crusts and establishments that have the distinct advantage of a brick oven. When casting your vote, please don’t take into consideration the price of the pizza or the restaurant's other offerings, including wings or bleu cheese.
The criteria, for the sake of today’s conversation, are as follows:
1. The pizzeria is located in the Buffalo or at least provides delivery to the city.
2. The pizza up for debate is the classic pizza consisting of crust, red sauce, and cheese.
3. The pizzeria must have a good product consistently.
So, who has the best pizza, Buffalo Rising readers?
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Sea Bar-City
It's great to see stylish, hip, new restaurants pop up downtown such as Sea Bar on Ellicott Street, which specializes in contemporary Japanese food. A clean ultra-modern space, Sea Bar’s dining room is quaint and inviting. The sleek sushi bar has counter seating and the wet bar, with beer, sake, and wine, has at least 10 sakes to choose from on any given night. We were happy to try a Sojitio, a sake mojito, which had the right amount of mint without too much sweetness.
Sea B … - Dec 2nd, 9:49am
- Continue Reading
- 6 Comments
-
Dinosaur Stalks Buffalo!!
Ten years ago, the downtown of My Fair City was forever altered when a Big Dinosaur appeared on the scene. Thankfully—unlike 1950’s Tokyo—when this dino showed up our downtown wasn’t flattened, but considerably improved. Dinosaur Bar B Que, a restaurant that originated in downtown Syracuse in the 1980’s, planted its foot in downtown Rochester in 1998. It was an instant hit—it’s common to have a line waiting to get in at all times. And it’s clearly Hog Heaven— … - Nov 21st, 9:05am
- Continue Reading
- 50 Comments
-
Si, Si, Cecelia's
Cecelia’s Ristorante & Martini Bar is prepared to guide their guests through the tastes of fall with their brand new fall menu. Although it is getting a bit too cold for the patio, the hardy food inside will warm things right up.
I started out with the Harvest Salad ($8) and the “Lumpy” Crab Cakes ($9). The Harvest Salad was served with a rosemary citrus vinaigrette, and topped with apricots, beets, pine nuts, walnuts, dried cranberries, and other assorted dried fruits. … - Nov 13th, 8:25am
- Continue Reading
- 13 Comments
-
Breakfast at Home: Crepes
One of the perks my daughter's friends enjoy about a sleepover at my home (other than rearranging the furniture for movie time) are the crepes I serve our guests in the morning.
I can remember sleepover breakfasts from when I was a kid that consisted of potato chips and soda from the night before. If the lack of sleep didn't make us dizzy and irritable enough, the fat, salt and sugar we ingested in the morning would make sure the entire day would be counted for lost. Ugh.
Crepe … - Nov 9th, 11:03am
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
Comment Options
npage148
Mr. Pizza, hands down
Report this
NBJOHN
Crappiest is 2 -4-1 on Elmwood. I always was a La Nova guy since college, but since living Wellington Rd in NoBo, Bob and John's has turned into a favorite. no one ever seems to mention it. Maybe I am alone on this one.
Report this
ronin11mc
LA Pizza Club on Hertel, very consistent and thick cheese
Report this
BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
LA NOVA HANDS DOWN
Report this
scooter
Abbott Pizza - South Buffalo
Franks Sunny Italy - North Buffalo
Casa Di Pizza - West Side
Gino & Joe's - Central Business District
Carmines on sheridan - Northern burbs
Blasdell Pizza - Southern burbs
(I gotta get a life)
La Nova is good, but I refuse to pay $100 for one slice of pizza!
Report this
TownLine
Imperial at the corner of Abbott and Eden St in SoBo. Its a former Bocce location, just beats the pants off of every other pizza I've ever had.
Report this
al-alo
Not being from Buff originally, i was a little taken aback when some my downstate friends decided to order some pizza from Mister. Reflexively asking for a "pie", the young person on the other end of the line paused and said, "this is a pizzeria, we dont have pies".
indulge me one more story. in a friends business class over at buff state, they were asked to come up w/ a product and market it. One invention: instead of square slices, slice pizza into triangles so that everyone gets a little crust.
sigh.
Report this
ChocolateShake
Many things in Buffalo are still stuck in the 1970's. However, the prices of La Nova are not. Perhaps they need to keep prices high to run an efficient money laundering scheme.
Funny how the fact that La Nova pizza serves as the nerve center for Buffalo's organized crime but everyone still patronizes them.
Forget about blaming the 33 or the skyway for Buffalo's misfortunes. The reason this region can't attract respectable business is because of the strong organized criminal elements that control large segments of this city.
http://americanmafia.com/Cities/Buffalo.html
Report this
al-alo
oh yes. Romeo & juliets, closest thing to italy in bo town.
Report this
tudorguy
Casa for me - every time.
Report this
RaChaCha
Even though I'm from out of town, friends in Buffalo know my reputation as a chow hound, so it seems people are always either taking me to try their favorite Buffalo pizza, or I'm checking out a place on a recommendation. That's how I came to try Casa Di Pizza, which is the best slice-a pie I've had in Buffalo, to date. I stopped in after taking Martin Wachadlo's most excellent tour of Oakland Place - offered by Buffalo Tours - and when the tour ended near Bryan Street I popped up one more block to Elmwood & Hodge to try Casa.
But as much as it pains me to report, the experience wasn't entirely appetizing: it was one of those fine Buffalo summer days, and they had propped open the doors on the righthand (Hodge) side, and there were - um - flies walking on the slice pies they had out to serve from. My heart (and stomach) sank (hey: if I want protein atop my pizza, I'll order pepperoni) and I walked out. But outside, I noticed a door to another side of the business and tried that - they had some slices in a warming rotisserie, I bought two, and chowed happily as I walked Bryant to Delaware.
Aside from the flies, it was a pleasantly memorable experience: munching fine pizza on a fine summer day, while strolling a couple of fine streets lined with fine architecture! Dare I say a "slice of life" in Buffalo...
Report this
urbanxplorer
Bob & Johns on Hertel Avenue
Report this
Rayzor
Bob & John's Hacienda gets the nod on criteria 1 and 2 but not #3 -- quite inconsistent over the past year...JJ's Casa di Pizza on Elmwood has been more consistent, as is Frank's Sunny Italy, although theirs is more of an NYC style...
Report this
crc
1. bocce club 2. la nova 3. Imperial
Report this
BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
Hey CHOCOLATESHAKE...those are some heavy accusations youre making there, not one has ever been arrested for any organized crime so get your @#$% facts straight @#$%...
Report this
Hoss
ZETTI'S !!!
Hands down the best NYC style pizza in Buffalo. In fact it's one of the only thin and crusty slices I've come across in this town. If anyone knows others, please let me know.
They are in the University plaza near Record Theatre, so maybe it's technically Amherst/Kenmore (not sure), but they deliver to Buffalo. Though quality is always better when you pick it up. Well worth the short drive. They also have garlic knots, stromboli, chicken rolls, etc... All the usual stuff you'd get at a NYC pizzeria. John (owner) is from NYC so he knows the deal. He also takes UB CampusCash.
I don't know how people can enjoy that Hacienda or La Nova's slop. Too much sweet sauce, and the bread like crust is an insult to pizza if you ask me. Though Casa di Pizza will work in a pinch
Regardless, a pizza should never be cut into squares unless it's Sicilian style. That's a fact.
http://zettis.com/
Report this
Buffalopundit
1. Zetti's 2. Romeo's 3. La Dolce Vita
Report this
jwy
La Pizza Club on Hertel.. The best, and most consistantly good pizza I've ever had.
When La Pizza Club is closed, Mr. Pizza on Elmwood is a close second.
Report this
HelloKitty
There is no comparison to what you can get downstate. It's not about thick vs. thin crust, it's about pizza up here looking and tasting like it's been drenched in oil. Even the one or two "NY" style pizzerias up here are barely comparable to the worst you can find in Manhattan or the surrounding area.
That said, there's some NY style hole on Allen that's passable.
Report this
BroadwayFillmoreAlive
Buffalo Style
Avenue Pizza 2300 Genesee Street Bocce's on Clinton Diva's Pizzeria on Clinton
NY Style
Zettie's (I don't really like NY style, but it is a nice once or twice a year)
- - - - -
We have great pizza scene in this town...beyond a chain, does anyone know of a local joint that serves up Chicago style?
Report this
WCPerspective
I second Blasdell and Zetti's. For Sicilian, it is LaBella on Genesee (Cheektowaga). Anyway, send me a slice of Buffalo's worst and it'll likely beat Pizza Guys, Papa Murphy's, and Mountain Mikes in these parts!
Report this
STEEL
Casa & Mr Pizza for me. You can always count on getting on of those wonderful big crusty bubbles at Casa di Pizza. The good thing about squares is that you get to the crust faster. What to do with those left over center pieces though
Report this
redrum
Casa di PIzza has always been my favorite. Excellent crust and sauce.
Report this
scooter
my wife made a "wonderful" dinner tonight.......
But all this talk of pizza made me sneak out of the house and get a slice from Bob and Johns........
I got caught....i'm now in the dog house. Thank you BRO!
Report this
Nusch
Bob & John's spicy pepperoni. In the northern burbs, LaHacienda on Brighton, I like a little extra sauce on mine.
Report this
ChocolateShake
Brook check out the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Unit on their web page... Its common knowledge in law enforcement...
Report this
georgethomasapfel
Casa Di Pizza for me, and when in my old neighborhood in North Buffalo Frank's Sunny Italy.
Report this
mac1234
Casa Di Pizza, hands down! I agree steel, theres nothing like those bubbles! I would do anything for a piece right now... regardless of where in buffalo you get your pizza, its better than other places, in my opinion. I hate those pizzas that seem like they have cardboard for crust (every place in Erie, PA)
Report this
Auburner
Artruro's on Houston St or Guitano's on Greenwich. Both worth the delivery cost from NYC
Report this
MRodgers
ever since I walked to the original Mister Pizza (note: Mister is printed out instead of Mr.) on Hampshire with my older cousins back in the 50's it has been a WNY and Buffalo pizza staple, and will remain mine for years to come. Thin crust, light sauce, double pepperoni and sometimes with light onion.
Report this
sbrof
Mr Pizza is good but my favorite as the quote in the article mentioned is Ricotta's on Tonawanda Street in Riverside. So many Zetti's fans, really? I thought that was the greasiest pizza I ever ate. I usually can eat just about anything but that gave me a stomach ache. People do love it but its NY style. It's like sauce on cardboard whether it is here or in NY is still tastes just as bland. Then again I didn't even like the pizza in Rome because it didn't have enough dough.
884 Main Street has some really good pizza also. It can't beat what you are weened on but it is probably the best Buffalo style pizza in Allentown. Really rich sauce with a good crust and cheese. The cook takes some real care into his food since he came out and talked to me for about 30 minutes when I stopped in during their first week being opened. Unfortunately for those Sabres games it is isn't a delivery type of place, but you can pick it up to go.
NY Style Pizzeria is the Salles (University Heights) of Allentown. It is good but only if its 4am and you are drunk.
I also agree that there is no place for square sliced round pizza's. Leave it for the sheets, and who says pie.. thats like another soda / pop argument from freshman year at UB.
Report this
Dan
Casa Di Pizza, or if you're going old school, La Hacienda on Hertel.
In the 1980s, there were a ton of good, cheap pizza joints in Riverside; I wonder if any are still there. There's also many good small pizzerias in Kaisertown and South Buffalo.
2-4-1 is the lone American outpost of a Toronto-area pizza chain. Unfortunately, Canadian pizza joints are better known for catchy phone numbers than for the quality of their pies. Finding good pizza in Canada is as hard as finding 24-second curling ice and cheap Cohibas in the States.
BTW, I looked through the Economist archive back to 1997, and found nothing on pizza in Buffalo. http://www.economist.com/search/search.cfm?qr=buffalo+pizza&area=1&keywords=1&frommonth=01&fromyear=1997&tomonth=12&toyear=2007&rv=2
Report this
rb66
My favorite. http://www.primapizzapasta.com/
Report this
viking
For a few years I was involved with a business that serviced pizzerias and consequently I had the opportunity to try many of the ones mentioned here. For my money they are all pretty good compared to some other areas of the country. Except Chicago, deep dish, corn meal crust and loaded with you name it. It might have been the air, what I was drinking then, maybe smoking but I think my years living in Chicago has the best pizza memories.
Report this
Joshua
I have to disagree with all those that said they liked La Pizza Club and Bob and John's, I can't stand either one of them. La Pizza Club was like eating cardboard and Bob and John's pizza has changed throughout the years, I remember them being much much better. I have tried Mustachio's and I will not go back there. La Sorella's is OK, not the best on Hertel.
So, the other day I tried Avenue Pizza for the first time, and long and behold I think I have found my newest pizza place. I do like La Nova but as some have mentioned it is damn expensive. Casa-di-Pizza is also very good but it's not right around the block from me, so unless I'm on or around Elmwood, I tend not to go there.
You would like I am 2 tons from all this pizza talk but I'm not - trust me. Pizza (and wings) in Bflo has a proud tradition and you can't mess with it.
P.S. - I do like Bocce Club - for all of the Bocce fans (there needs to be one in the CITY!)
Report this
Frankenberry
Casa Di Pizza has the most consistently good pizza. The ingredients are very well balanced. However there is a new place called 888 on Main Street between Allen and Virginia that has excellent pizza. People have been raving about it. I cannot speak for it's consistancy only having it once but the pizza I have had is dam good. I recommend giving it a try.
Report this
Dionysus
I'm in love with Bob and John (Hertel Ave).
Report this
DJCramer
I grew up in the New Jersey / New York City area, so I too long for NYC style pizza. The two places I found that come closest for a real "pie" are:
1) Gino and Joe's in the Main Place Mall 2) Zetti's across from UB in the University Plaza
I think that LaNova has the best "Buffalo" style pizza though.
Report this
TjR
What about Chuck's North St Subway on North near N. Pearl? Kinda unknown I think but very good and must be doing something right cause they have been around for a while.
Report this
NorPark
IMPERIAL, hands down.
Report this
urbanxplorer
Bob and John's on Hertel is the most consistent and tasty, hands down. After eating @ Bob and Johns most other pizza tastes bland. Only one critizism, the dining room needs a major update. It could be a really nice and cozy place to eat with your family but it's not.
Report this
stephenjames716
I like Mr. Pizza on Elmwood and Bird.....very good cheese and pep!
Report this
Whizbang
In the past week or so I have tried 2 pizza's that I haven't had in a few years. One was Bocci's, it wasn't quite like I remembered it...a bit dry. The other was always one of my favs when I lived on the WS...Mr Pizza. It was exactly like I remembered it! Delish. I'll be making a few more trips to the WS in the future. NB is now my hangout and I do like Bob and Johns. I like Frank's as well but they put too much cheese on it for me so I don't get it that much. Actually, I usu stick w Just Pizza because I can control the fat and calorie content a bit better. I didn't hear Santora's mentioned, My work crew usu get them from the one on Millersport and it's pretty good. I also have to mention Mr Tony's in West Seneca, that was my staple when I lived there. I heard someone mention Romeo & Juliet's and they do make a good pizza but it's not really fair to compare a specialty pizza like that or Pizza Plant, etc w your everyday home grown one.
Report this
galaxyjay
Mattina's (sp??) in Kenmore-Tonawanda is decent..havn't heard them mentioned yet. Mr.Pizza is incredible...2-4-1 right near there is terrible, however, they make $$$ from drunkeness. Casa is also fantastic..
Report this
waffles
Imperial is amazing. The North St place previously mentioned is great too, more Italian based placed.
Report this
Brenwils25
I know this is a discussion about Buffalo pizza, and any suggestions from the surrounding area will almost certainly lead this discussion down an unintended path....but the best there ever was, is, and will be goes to La Hacienda Restaurant on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls. Not to be confused with Bob and John's in Buffalo's Little Italy, a strong contender itself, but this La Hacienda, in Niagara Falls' Little Italy, is reason enough to add 20 minutes to your plans to go out to eat for pizza. If anything, try it once, like stepping back in time.
Report this
sandbagger
Even though its the in the burbs, Louis Deli on Main headed toward Clarence after Transit has home made mini pizzas on fridays only. They are thin crusted and each one is maybe 2-3 bucks. They look like something an Italian grandma would make. Incredible. They have all kinds. But no ordering. What you get is what you see and again only on fridays.
Report this
Talkin_Proud
Partners Pizzeria! Off of S. Ogden -- they deliver till 4am.
I also really enjoy Prima's spinach pizza (or whatever it's called) when I'm downtown.
Report this
inferno
Wally's in North Tonawanda is the best I have ever had. So damn good
Report this
driz716
what about bocce's??
Report this
Auburner
Casa Di Pizza and the "Electric Company" "Where you have to go up, to get down" Booggie Booggie Ooogie....
Report this
Auburner
Good God I am old...
Report this
buffalo6542
The Best Pizza in town is at Giovanni's which is brand new and betwee trinity and west tupper on elmwood. its cheap and satisfying
Report this
STEEL
Who ever said Chicago pizza is the best ever definitely was under the influence of some mind altering substance!
Report this
stopthesprawl
Steel is right. I live in Chicago and I eat at Giordano's and Gino's East, and Buffalo has got em beat. I don't like New York style that much either.
To be honest I think buffalo has the pizzaest pizza. I'm surprised nobody said Franco's, that's straight up Buffalo style. Don't you guys like Franco's?
Report this
Hoss
Holy Moly!!! I just had a slice at Gino $ Joe's in the Main Place Mall. That's the stuff. My new favorite. Too bad they aren't open at night.
Report this
Felice
Hey Mary...is that you talking badly about Dan Campieri? The ONLY BAD THING ABOUT these comment posting sites is that people can HIDE BEHIND AN ANONYMOUS SCREEN NAME!!!
Buffalo Rising ROCKS! Love ya Mr. Nussbaumer...(hope I spelled that correctly!)
Report this
viking
Don't like Chicago, well try Pizza Hut's Mexican sometime, also very good or Wegman"s white pizza. Pizza Snobs with ordinary taste buds, avoid the adventure of diverse dining. While I agree with most of the aforementioned posts some in my humble opinion are like cardboard covered with catsup.
Report this
driz716
ewe, Franco's is so sloppy..........sauce everywhere! They should hand out bibs with their pies
Report this
d4rksabre
I'm from the burbs so my vote has to go to Picasso's. I was raised on it and it's my favorite. Heck, I even worked there for a summer. The crust is tasty and the sauce is a good mix of flavors. They cook it crispy and the pepperoni is small but cut thick and LOADED on. Little pools of grease in every pepperoni! Mmmm. Plus they have a special seasoning mix they put on the pizza that gives it a little spicy kick. All this talk makes me want to drive home from Rochester for some :-(
Report this
judipatooti
Definitely just pizza but stay away from the white...it sucks!
Report this
Joshua
Why new pizza place should I choose tonight?? Should I go back to Avenue on Hertle, or should I venture over to Franks Sunny Italy on Delware, choices, choices?
Report this
ronin11mc
Bocce's is so sloppy and soggy! Soggy, sloppy pizza is the death knell. Franks Sunny Italy's food sucks. d4rksabre just described La Pizza Club's pie. Thick, spicy pepperoni with glorious little pools of grease and not at all "cardboardy", as Joshua said. But he is right about Bob and John's sucking!
Report this
ronin11mc
Avenue on Hertel is passable, barely, but nothing to write home about. Bella Roma on Delaware in Kenmore has great pizza as well, and I believe they deliver into North Buffalo.
Report this
Joshua
ronin11mc - the cardboard pizza was from La Pizza Club. I don't like a totally uniform, perfect pizza; I like a good sauce, which I thought Bob and John's had, but not any more. (It's amazing that this forum is still being posted too - how important pizza is to Buffaloians.)
Report this
chuckles
New place....888 Main surprisingly good.
Report this
ablejack
Bistro Aroma makes a nice neopolitan style pie. All other pizza I've had in this town has been pathetic. The problem seems to me not that Buffalo Style is inherently bad, but that no one is committed to quality ingredients. It's not that hard to bake a quality pie. The many local "Pizzerias" I've tried all use crappy shortcut dough, bumped-up canned sauces and bury that with cheesestuff. The result is barely food. I still eat it once in a while, but I long for some high temperature baked, crusty dough with a sauce that began as tomatoes. Top that with a real cheese and I'm happy to pay for the time and work necessary for this simple classic treat.
Report this
Tommy
Pepe's on Colvin is great. They have a combo that includes breadsticks, pizza, and wings for under $15. Worth checking out.
Report this
Melissa08
888 Main (Campieri's) is the best...hands down. As far as I know, they do not deliver, but get out, order one of their amazing pies and enjoy some wine or beer along with it in a nice atmosphere!
Report this
klondike54
888 Main is the best. Great crust. Worth a visit!
Report this
jeannie1061
Pat's on Ontario St. has the best pizza. Also, the chicken fingers are huge and delicious, 5 huge fingers with fries for $11.99, my 17 year old son and I can share an order.
Report this
Arkansas
We love Chuck's North Street Sub-way!
Report this
Arkansas
We love Chuck's North Street Sub-way! Be careful, though: you could accidentally walk through the kitchen. Just remember that the dining room is next door.
Report this