When you think of the food scene in Houston, Texas, what comes to mind? Are you imagining a big hearty tray of Texas-style barbeque? Perhaps you’re picturing a sizzling cast-iron of Tex-Mex fajitas, but what about pizza?
Pizza may be one of the most underrated cuisines that the city has to offer. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best pizza places in Houston.\
While Houston doesn’t have a pizza style that’s native to the city, its vibrant and diverse food scene embraces a wide variety of pizza styles. Some of the most common include New-York style, Neapolitan, Detroit-style, and Chicago-tavern style.
Unless you are a self-proclaimed connoisseur of pizza, you may not know the difference between these styles, but some of the biggest differences between these pizza styles lie not just in the crust, but also in the amount of sauce used, cooking method, and overall taste.
Probably the most popular out of the bunch and the one most people are familiar with is New York-style pizza. If you’ve walked around the streets of New York City or really any city, you’ve probably passed by a couple of window displays with huge slices and irresistible $5 meal deals.
These New York-style pies typically have a thinner crust, are bigger slices, and cheese going all the way to the crust. These slices are also easily foldable, and if someone has a favorite New York-style pizza place, there’s a good chance the slice is getting served on a white paper plate.
There are a decent amount of restrictions and guidelines on what makes a true Neapolitan pizza, which gets its name from Napoli or Naples, Italy. The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana states Neapolitan pizza must have a max diameter of 35 centimeters, a dough made of four ingredients, and “the true Neapolitan pizza must be garnished with ingredients preferably from Campania regions.”
After you read the full list of distinctions and requirements that make a Neapolitan pizza a Neapolitan pizza, you’ll definitely need to try a slice for yourself.
Detroit-style pizza was born out of a Detroit bar, when the owner and his wife decided to take their own spin on pizza using a Sicilian dough recipe. The main differentiator of Detroit-style pizza is the pan it’s cooked in.
To cook a Detroit-style pizza, according to PMQ Pizza, you need a thick steel pan reminiscent of “pans once used by Detroit’s famed automobile manufacturers … on assembly lines for small parts and as oil pans in automotive shops.”
These pies typically have a thick, airy crust and cheese running all the way to the edges, making them a unique must-try.
A lot of people associate Chicago’s pizza offerings with the thick-crusted deep dish, but Chicago’s tavern-style pizza is quite the opposite. These pies feature a thin crust, and some would even argue that Chicago tavern-style is the city’s actual trademark pizza.
This crust is usually rolled instead of tossed, and the slice shape isn’t your traditional triangle. The Chicago tavern-style pizzas are usually cut in uneven squares and the corner pieces are usually small, crispy triangles, giving people options on what type of slice they want.
Started by two cousins from Calabria, Italy, Romano’s was started after they moved to Houston, bringing their 15+ years of experience in NYC pizzerias with them. Houston locals have been getting their New York-style slices from Romano’s since the 90s.
First opened on Long Island, New York, Tony’s moved to Houston, Texas, in 2002 and has been serving New York-style pizza since. You get to watch Tony and his team as they craft and serve huge slices, and they also offer special deals and affordable prices, like $1.50 slices of cheese pizza on Tuesdays.
This family-owned pizzeria offers New York-style pies with hand-tossed dough made daily, but they also take pride in creating an experience that has “Texas-style hospitality.” Luigi’s pizza crusts are pressed thin and topped with a tomato sauce that has no added sugars.
Nationally recognized for their pizza, Bollo serves Neapolitan pies that have been baked in a 800 degree woodfired oven. They are also known for using fresh ingredients like EZZO pepperoni, 44 Farms Beef, and free-range eggs.
This pizzeria is known for its fresh dough, made with flour imported from Italy, hand-pulled mozzarella and pizza sauce made from hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes. Cane Rosso has been featured on the national tv show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and now has nine locations across Texas.
Serving wood-fired pizzas, Pizzeria Solario takes inspiration from multiple regions in Italy. People note their unique dining atmosphere, but they also offer 10% off online orders if you’re in the mood for takeout.
This pizza place is known as a no-frills joint bringing Detroit-style pizza to the Houston area. They focus on a thick crust and fresh ingredients, which in turn makes their slices and pies a crowd-favorite.
Recognized by The Food Network, Food & Wine Magazine, and more, VIA 313 offers classic Detroit-style pizza with unique flavors. You can find anything from Elote pizza to a jalapeno popper-inspired pizza, all with the steel pan-baked crust.
While it may look like a bar from the outside, Rudyard’s also serves up some of the best Detroit-style pizza in the Houston area. Rudyard’s atmosphere is also notable with live music, comedy, trivia, and other weekly events that make this place a lively venue.
Now open for lunch too, this walk-ins-only pizza place serves 14” Chicago tavern-style pies with the trademark crust and slice shape. If you also want a little entertainment with your meal, Nonno's offers arcade games, and during its all-day Monday happy hour, they're free to play.
While they started as a Houston food truck, Chitalian Pizzeria brought their Chicago tavern-style pizza to a physical storefront in North Houston. Their pizza features all of the characteristics that make a Chicago tavern-style pizza, and then bake the pies a little bit longer to ensure the crust is crispy.
Recognized as one of Houston's best Irish pubs for more than 40 years, Kenneally's is also known for its award-winning Chicago tavern-style pizza, serving its signature thin crust since it opened. Be sure to wash down your slice with a pint.
Pizaro’s Pizza gets an honorable mention because they specialize in three of the aforementioned pizza styles: New York-style, Detroit-style and Neapolitan. With two locations in Houston, Pizaro’s is a fan-favorite and has the awards to back it up, including being listed as a Top 100 Restaurant in Houston eight times.
Who says pizza is only for weekends and late nights? With Fooda, you can bring the flavors of Houston’s best pizza spots into your workplace. With multiple options designed to fit every unique workspace, Fooda makes it easy to enjoy local food without leaving the office.
Outside of pizzerias, Fooda also partners with some of Houston’s top-rated restaurants and catering services to help companies offer a food benefit employees truly love.
Ready to bring Houston’s best local food to your workplace? Get started with Fooda today.
What are the most popular pizza styles in Houston?
While Houston does not have a pizza style unique to the city, its diverse food scene offers many popular styles, including New York-style, Neapolitan, Detroit-style and Chicago tavern-style pizza. Each style differs in crust, sauce, cooking method and overall experience.
Where can I find the best pizza in Houston?
Some of the best pizza in Houston can be found at local favorites like Romano’s Pizza, Tony’s New York Pizza, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, Cane Rosso, Gold Tooth Tony’s, VIA 313 and Nonno’s. Houston’s pizza scene offers everything from thin-crust New York slices to authentic Italian-inspired pies and Detroit-style squares.
What is the difference between New York-style and Neapolitan pizza?
New York-style pizza is known for its large, thin, foldable slices with cheese spread close to the crust, while Neapolitan pizza features a softer, thinner crust made with traditional Italian techniques and ingredients. Neapolitan pizzas are typically cooked quickly at high temperatures in a wood-fired oven.
How can companies bring Houston’s best local pizza to the workplace?
Companies can bring Houston’s local pizza favorites to employees through Fooda’s workplace dining solutions. Fooda partners with local restaurants to offer on-site dining, catering and other flexible food options that help businesses provide meals employees enjoy without leaving the office. For more info on what Fooda has to offer, talk to us here!
