If you’re searching for THE best coal-fired brick oven, New York-style thin crust pizza in the world, look no further. Grimaldi’s offers over 100 years of pizza-making traditions and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal burning oven. Why coal-fired ovens? It gives our pizza and calzones a unique flavor and a crisp crust that is just not possible from gas, convection or wood burning ovens.

Twenty five years ago, on this very street, Robert Colombo's original Sfuzzi opened in Uptown Dallas. Known for it's fresh, innovative italian foods, and lively social setting, Sfuzzi became a McKinney Avenue landmark for over 10 years. Even today it is remembered as one of Dallas's most innovative and successful restaurants. Now, Sfuzzi is back. The new Sfuzzi harkens back to the roots of an old New York City pizzeria, centered on our commitment to serving fresh pizzas and pasta, wonderful wine and beverages, and, oh yes, a dash of great music. Musically, you will hear everything from 80s dance songs, sing-a-longs of the 70's, jazz and blues, current top 40 hits and classic rock of artists such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. Sfuzzi's wrap-around patio rekindles beautiful memories of the original Sfuzzi patio scene, which set the social standard for McKinney Avenue. Equipped with flat screen panels, pulsating music, glass-enclosed fireplace, and fabulous food and drink, the patio at the newly evolved Sfuzzi will rival those of Miami's luxury venues and the family oriented venues of the Grand Caymans.

This family owned now-national chain started right here at home after the Ginatta family missed the rich espresso and gelatos of Italy after a relocation to Dallas. They opened up Paciugo to share these flavors of Italy with Dallas and have now expanded to 15 states across the country. At Paciugo's you'll find a healthy variety of traditional Italian gelato flavors (like Italian wedding cake, Tiramisu and Limoncella) as well as some more modern and locally inspired flavors, like Tres Leches, green tea and turtle cheesecake. There's nothing like a spoonful of Paciugo's melting on your tongue to cool off on a hot day or even soak in holiday spirit with seasonal flavors like egg nog and pumpkin pie.

With more young professionals moving away from the city, Downtown Plano is moving from the down-home country atmosphere and bringing in a younger, cooler crowd. The new-ish pizzeria, Urban Crust, brings in both the family-oriented diner as well as the young drinking crowd with a big family-style interior and a rooftop bar, complete with 32 degree beers and an ice bar to keep your cocktail chilled. When it comes to the food, they serve up Neapolitan style pies with gourmet touches to either feed the whole family or soak up all that ice cold beer. Favorite pies include a four cheese pizza drizzled with truffle oil and the Urban Amore, featuring fig preserves, prosciutto, goat cheese, and arugula, as well as a slew of starters and delectable salads served family style.

Exposition Park’s Pizza Lounge is the kind of place you’d expect to see in the Dallas section of Lonely Planet. The interior gives off an eclectic ambiance with purposely-mismatched couches and lounge chairs around every table. Pizza Lounge is conveniently located across the street from Fair Park, is right by a DART station and it’s only a skip hop and a jump from Deep Ellum. The menu is an entertaining read unto itself with cleverly named dishes and pies. A few good choices are the Nickel Bag/Dime Bag (small/large spinach and broccoli rabe), the Margherita (it seems like a boring choice until you realize they throw capers on there), or the Sofa King: a pie so loaded with meat it guarantees to make you “Sofa King Full.” Pizza Lounge also loves vegans as much as vegans love animals with several vegan options and substitutes conveniently labeled with a green “v” symbol. Don’t be cruel - eat tofu.