Where to find the best pizza in Charlotte, from Neapolitan to New York style
When it comes to pie of the pizza variety, everyone has an opinion. The basic combination of crust, sauce, cheese and toppings is what defines a pizza, but for so many of us, the style of pizza is what holds the key to our hearts and stomachs.
Wouldn’t dare order a thick-crust, Chicago-style pie when you can find the distinctive hand-tossed New York pizza of your childhood? Fear not. Whether you’re searching for that familiar pie or looking to try something new, Charlotte’s got you covered with a pretty strong 2020 pizza game.
Neapolitan Style
What it is: Originating from Naples, Italy, Neapolitan pizza is distinctively simple in its makeup. It consists of a thin, soft crust that is usually made with very specific refined Italian flour and cooked at very high temperatures.
Where to find it:
(1) Capishe Real Italian Kitchen
500 East Morehead, Ste. 100; 6555 Morrison Blvd.
With its fast-casual concept (quick service, minimal yet modern decor), Capishe has two locations and focuses on fresh, handmade Neapolitan pizzas (nine in all). Did we say fast? The typical pizza cooks in under 120 seconds.
What to order: The San Lorenzo (Capishe red sauce, mozzarella di bufala, peppadew, cipollini onion, Italian sausage, fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil)
(2) DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana
7315 Waverly Walk Ave.
What hits you first when you enter DeSano is the glorious smell of “fresh baked.” Aside from the fact that all the ingredients here are flown in from Italy, the authenticity of this Neapolitan pie is backed up by the strict adherence to the guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN). Official and Old-World style is what you’ll find, down to the rustic, communal seating.
What to order: Go simple here with the Margherita Classica VPN (San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano, olive oil, basil)
(3) Inizio Pizza Napoletano
2230 Park Rd.; 10620 Providence Rd.
Inizio in Italian means origin, and owner Grant Arons sticks closely to the origins of the Neapolitan pizza. As a “self-proclaimed dough nerd,” Arons began his restaurants with one thing in mind: crafting the perfect artisan pizza by using the origin-specific ingredients of type 00 flour and imported water. Pies are available in 12- and 16-inch sizes.
What to order: The Pistachio (rosemary, sea salt, ricotta, mozzarella di bufala, garlic, pistachio pesto sauce, pistachios) will change the way you view pesto. Don’t pass by the gelato case.
New York Style
What it is: If you’re picturing the guy in the lopsided, white chef’s hat throwing dough into the air, you’re halfway there. New York-style pizza is all about the crust, beginning with the distinctively large, hand-tossed dough that cooks crisply on the edges and is thin enough to fold (if you’re into that — everyone also has their own pizza-eating protocols).
Where to find it:
(4) 500 Degrees
6037 South Blvd.
Tucked in a strip mall, 500 Degrees is small and simple, but the pies are large and flavorful. Lunch specials here are a big draw, and one large pizza will easily feed the family.
What to order: The combo pie allows four toppings, so everyone can pick something and be happy.
(5) Hawthorne’s New York Pizza
With eight locations in the metro area, Hawthorne’s has made a name for itself by serving authentic New York-style pizza in a family-friendly atmosphere. Kiddos eat free on Tuesdays (with every $7.50 adults spend), and can be provided with crayons and a bonus ball of pizza dough.
What to order: Buffalo Wing (The Inducer) Pizza (hot buffalo sauce, chicken and mozzarella).
(6) Libretto’s Pizzeria
1600 E. Woodlawn Rd.; 15205 John J. Delaney Dr. Ste. A
With a motto of “so good you’ll forget your manners,” Libretto’s hosts weekly events like team trivia and bingo, and patrons can enjoy an authentic New York pie and a fun night out. The chain recently pulled out a mobile operation with the Libretto’s food truck (follow the truck on social media for a true New York street food experience).
What to order: The New Yorker (pepperoni, sausage, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions).
(7) Luigi’s
8170 S. Tryon St.; 13551 Steelecroft Parkway
New York transplants are talking about the thin and foldable authentic pie from Luigi’s at Olde Whitehall (second location in Steele Creek). We’ve heard phrases like “the real deal,” and “I feel like I’m back home.” Enough said.
What to order: Go traditional with a regular cheese pizza with “red sauce.” Get fun and top it with meatballs.
Chicago Style
What it is: Deep-dish, thick and hearty crust defines Chicago pie. The dough usually consists of wheat or semolina flour. Cooked in an oiled, steel pan, Chicago-style pizza is built by first layering the cheese over the sauce and then abundantly piling on the toppings.
Where to find it:
(8) Matt’s Chicago Dog
19732 One Norman Dr., Cornelius
While Matt’s Chicago Dog is known for serving up Chicago-style hot dogs, its Lake Norman location boasts a Chicago pizza that patrons are making the drive for. Grab a deep dish and get a couple of Carolina dogs on the side.
What to order: Matt’s Chicago Classic (loads of cheese, sausage, crimini mushrooms).
(9) Rosati’s
9925 Rea Rd., Waxhaw
This Chicago-based pizzeria’s only North Carolina location is just outside Charlotte in Waxhaw. The family-owned franchise has been offering authentic deep-dish pie for 50 years and is one of the few places you can find a true version of this Midwestern favorite.
What to order: Chicago-style Deep Dish (buttery crust with mozzarella cheese and pomodoro tomatoes; choose from 22 toppings).
Artisan
What it is: The term artisan in the culinary world has come to mean anything that strays away from the mechanized process of making food. Think hand-crafted cuisine that uses fresh and varied ingredients.
Where to find it:
(10) Blaze Pizza
1750 N. Camden Rd.; 8948 JM Keynes Rd.
Blaze offers artisanal pizzas with made-from-scratch dough and the freshest possible toppings. Their BYO (build your own) menu allows for the option of original dough or high-rise dough (both vegan), or a cauliflower or keto crust (both gluten free).
What to order: Put together your own vegan pie with vegan cheese and add their spicy vegan chorizo for an extra kick.
(11) Pizzeria Omaggio
1055 Metropolitan Ave. #130
With more than 20 Roman-style specialty pizzas on the menu, Omaggio also boasts a choice of seasonal pies — or build your own. Located in The Metropolitan in Midtown, Omaggio offers a place to grab a meal in between shopping that promises to be fast without sacrificing quality.
What to order: The Rustica (tomato sauce, whole milk mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, arugula). Don’t look past the specials — the recent offering of Butternut Zucca (butternut squash puree and homemade Italian sausage) was a favorite.
(12) Pure Pizza
224 E. 7th St.; 1911 Central Ave.
With the success of its craft pizzas at the 7th St. Market location, Pure opened a second location in Plaza Midwood. The key to Pure’s prosperity has been its use of farm-fresh, sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients. You’ll find two types of artisanal crusts here: traditional Neapolitan and sprouted ancient grain.
What to order: BBQ Chicken (mozzarella, tomatoes, onions, pepperoncini, chicken, SC mustard BBQ sauce, cilantro)
By the Slice
Sometimes all you need is a slice of that perfect pie, and the following places do it right.
(13) Benny Pennello’s
2909 N. Davidson St. #100
Snuggled up next to Heist Brewery in the old Highland Park Mill building No. 3 in NoDa, Benny’s offers pizza by the slice. They also offer giant pies, and when we say giant we mean 28 inches of pizza (we saw a server have trouble getting through the door with one). The draw here, however, is their daily slice specials, which are also ample in size. The small interior is adorned with local art, and you can grab a booth or sit at the counter and watch the dough mixer do its thing.
What to order: Choose from the specials by the slice. A recent offering was El Bambino (jalapenos, smoked cheddar, garlic).
(14) Pie in the Sky
320 S. Tryon St.
Located in Uptown Charlotte, Pie in the Sky is a great place to satisfy your pizza craving when you don’t need a whole pie. Each one of their specialty pizzas is offered by the slice, and it’s a popular lunch spot with the uptown business crowd. Grab a slice and walk over to Romare Bearden Park.
What to order: Pulled Pork BBQ (barbecue pulled pork, onions, cilantro)
Editor’s note: This story originally published on Jan. 13, 2020.
This story was originally published January 13, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
