The Best Pizza in Atlanta is…
Andrew Connell and John Hayes set a goal four years ago to try every pizzeria in Atlanta. Their quest, which you can read about here came out of their once-a-week meeting for guy time.
Of the 99 pizzerias they have tried, here are their top three:
Westside Pizzeria “The kind of place you sort of hate to tell people about — a hidden gem. Think Cheers, plus pizza.”
Nancy’s Pizza (the Buckhead location), “While the “Chicago style” deep dish is more casserole than slice of pie, there’s nothing that can truly compare to what you get there.”
Vintage Pizzeria (the Chamblee location): “Service: attentive and friendly. The pizza: thin, crisp, cheesy, delicious. Classy joint.”
Connell and Hayes say their choices don’t necessarily align with what the foodies think is good pizza.
Do you agree with their choices? What restaurant has the best pizza in Atlanta?
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
103 comments Add your comment
The Hammer
January 15th, 2013
3:04 pm
Rosa’s, on Broad Street.
A. Teesman
January 15th, 2013
3:11 pm
Upper Crust at Cobb Galleria.
Lorenzo
January 15th, 2013
3:19 pm
Two guys from Alabama reviewing pizza. Okay.
Curious George
January 15th, 2013
3:21 pm
What happened to my teenage days when Felini’s was considered “The Best Pizza” in Atlanta?
BeBop
January 15th, 2013
3:27 pm
Yeah Lorenzo…because they just can’t review pizza like folks from Georgia can, right?
Curious George
January 15th, 2013
3:36 pm
Ever had an Alabama BBQ Pork pizza with high-tomato-content BBQ Sauce on the dough?
Why can’t all the yankees (with all their hate & disdain for Southerners) go back to from which they came?
LS
January 15th, 2013
3:52 pm
Oz pizza!!
Road Scholar
January 15th, 2013
3:56 pm
Everybodies Pizza at Emory.
Typical Redneck
January 15th, 2013
3:57 pm
They need to drive to Alpharetta and try Mama’s if they haven’t.
Huddybud
January 15th, 2013
4:02 pm
If I’m intown it would be Antico, if I’m in the burbs, it’s Cappozi’s/Cappo’s. The guys in the article lost me when they said that Nancy’s was on of their favorites.
John Kessler
January 15th, 2013
4:13 pm
I just tried the pizza at Tartufo in Buckhead for the first time and really liked it. Thin, crispy, nice tasting crust and appealing toppings. Will def. be back…
Billy Joe Bob
January 15th, 2013
4:20 pm
No need for these fancy joints. Nothing beats Papa John’s.
wade in marietta
January 15th, 2013
4:21 pm
Christo’s white pizza with feta, chicken and onions…mmmm….
Tyrone Biggums
January 15th, 2013
4:21 pm
I am a big fan of their Vintage selection. But Nancy’s seems skeptical.
Tripp Bowden
January 15th, 2013
4:23 pm
The original Johnny’s Pizza on Cheshire Bridge Road is hard to beat–by the slice or the pie. Big fluffy crust, just the right amount of sauce, countless toppings to choose from…And Sally’s homemade meatballs are off the chizzain! Not all Johnny’s are the same–and none come close to this one and I used to live in NYC, home of Big Nick’s Pizza, which i hope they serve in Heaven at least once a week.
Little Caesar
January 15th, 2013
4:28 pm
I agree with LS; Oz Pizza is the best!
Debby
January 15th, 2013
4:30 pm
Milano’s Pizaa in Dunwoody, GA In the Georgetown Shopping Plaza.
Joe B
January 15th, 2013
4:33 pm
Avellino’s in Decatur. Hands down.
Don Abernethy
January 15th, 2013
4:34 pm
I live in the 2nd largest county in population (Gwinnett) but when there are reviews on restaurants in metro Atlanta Gwinnett is rarely mentioned ( like your article on pizza). What is the problem with Gwinnett??
Brian
January 15th, 2013
4:35 pm
Avellino’s in Oakhurst although Westside was a close second.
Richard
January 15th, 2013
4:40 pm
That survey came up with Nancy’s? I guess it’s almost edible if you’ve never had Chicago pizza and half your taste buds are already dead.
I’d go with Antico and Tartufo.
On the otherhand, think of pizza like Olympic gymnastics. New York and Chicago are gold and silver. Atlanta fell off the balance beam.
Danny
January 15th, 2013
4:49 pm
Your Pie in Roswell.
OakhurstDawg
January 15th, 2013
4:50 pm
I’m somewhat of a homer, but Urban Pie in Kirkwood is pretty darn good if you like thin crust.
If you’re downtown, check out Slice on Poplar.
I like Avellino’s ok.
JusticeinSuwanee
January 15th, 2013
4:52 pm
Cameli’s Gourmet Pizza on Ponce de Leon. Pizza is awesome, beer selection awesome, and their Chicken Pesto sandwich is to die for…
Toni Moceri
January 15th, 2013
4:57 pm
Antico off Hemphill is the best.
Are you kidding me two taste makers from Alabama tasting the best 3 in Atlanta, everyone knows the East Coast started making PIZZA in the USA. To each their own opinion.
thinandcrispy
January 15th, 2013
4:58 pm
I’m a fan of thin and crispy crust. Shorty’s on Lawrenceville Highway or N. Druid Hills is perfect. Moe’s Pizza on Briarcliff is pretty darn good, too. Not thin crust, but delicious toppings.
Commentater
January 15th, 2013
4:59 pm
Marco’s Pizza on Jonesboro Rd in Hampton/McDonough. Dining room is rather plain but the pizza is awesome. It’s better cold than most pizzas are hot!
thinandcrispy
January 15th, 2013
5:00 pm
Antico is another great one. The reviewers didn’t like the atmosphere, but we think it’s fun.
kevin
January 15th, 2013
5:03 pm
Antico. If you do not like the pizza there, you shouldn’t bother ever eating Pizza in Italy. As authentic as Italian pizza gets. I only had one pie in Italy that was definitely better. For NY style pizza, Rosa does a passable job and the hybrid NY style/ Italian style pizza at Varasano’s is pretty darn good.
Bhorsoft
January 15th, 2013
5:10 pm
Peace, Love, and Pizza in Kennesaw. Although I haven’t hit 99 Pizza joints in Atlanta, I’ve hit over 25 here in the ATL (probably over 100 in my lifetime around the world). P,L and P is one of the best.
guy
January 15th, 2013
5:14 pm
pfft. what a buncha maroons. varasano’s, fritti, and fellini’s or gtfo
muffin
January 15th, 2013
5:22 pm
Vintage Pizzeria? I always thought their pizza was very middle of the road. Not bad but not great, either. they really need to get some more inspired toppings on their menu.
Moose
January 15th, 2013
5:31 pm
Rosa’s Pizza on Broad Street has The Best Pizza Ever!
Richard Bagge
January 15th, 2013
5:31 pm
I have not tried Westside or Nancy’s, but Vintage is really good, and there’s a great little ice cream place across the street. Peace, Love & Pizza is also excellent.
Another Native
January 15th, 2013
5:32 pm
I know there will be those that slam this, but Mellow Mushroom makes a pretty damn good pie.
Motocross Survivor
January 15th, 2013
5:36 pm
Pizza Hut pan pizza–veggie or just black olives or even just cheese. Some might say it sounds boring or common or whatever, but there is NONE better.
Curious George
January 15th, 2013
5:43 pm
How many of these pizza places have been forced to increase their prices in the past two weeks so that we paying customers, as pie lovers, have to foot the bill for 0bamaCare for their part-time employees?
Bills fan
January 15th, 2013
5:48 pm
Antico. Like the freshness of the products, limited number of ingredients allowed so as to not “junk up” the simple taste of sauce, cheese and crust, the family, party-typ atmosphere, the topping area where you can choose from fresh garlic, crushed hot peppers and more, and, if you so choose, bring your own booze.
Somehow it seems like a picnic when you can open a bottle of wine on a bench and just eat simple food. This place has all that and with atmosphere.
Mo Leary
January 15th, 2013
5:53 pm
Why don’t you call and find out, Mr. Curious?
jimmy
January 15th, 2013
6:11 pm
I like Westside Cafe Italiano. But not their pizza. Conveyer belt stuff…
Cleopatra
January 15th, 2013
6:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Giorgio’s in Cumming
Nixon
January 15th, 2013
6:16 pm
I like the hare pie at the Claremont Lounge.
Mo Leary
January 15th, 2013
6:23 pm
I didn’t know they served rabbit at the Clermont.
Pizza Dawg
January 15th, 2013
6:32 pm
Try Saporitos in east Cobb or kennesaw. Real NY pizza. Great pull on the crust, perfect,every time!
Nixon
January 15th, 2013
6:34 pm
Oh, yes, Mo. Great pie, but stopped going after I found a hair in my pie.
Keoffry Russell
January 15th, 2013
6:39 pm
From the A on the eastside had pizza from all over city Felini which is runner up Nancys Mellow Mushroom Antico Vintage one spot in Avondale Estate right around the corner Avondale Pizza Cafe has the best pie in the whole city you better believe it.
jtugg
January 15th, 2013
6:47 pm
OZ PIZZA (east point)
Sic' 'em DOGS
January 15th, 2013
7:19 pm
The Elbow Room on Pharr Rd in Buckhead is pretty damn good NY style pizza
Michigander
January 15th, 2013
7:24 pm
Antico. Best pizza anywhere. The communal tables and noisy kitchen are all part of the experience
Tommy
January 15th, 2013
7:52 pm
Pizza Hut. Everytime. Second Domino’s thin crust.