Thin New York style, thick Sicilian, stuffed Chicago style, cheeseless or nouveau — the variety of pizza styles seems endless and when it comes to the slice or the pie, seems like everyone’s a connoisseur and has their favorite.
Andiamo
In Miami for example, most of the best pizza joints are downright institutions, loved by diehards who have been loyal to their favorite spot for countless years.So…(drumroll please), here’s a list of Miami’s top five, in no particular order:
- Steve’s Pizza in North Miami on Biscayne Boulevard and NE 121 Street. The joint’s been a neighborhood institution for more than three decades because they’re still churning out authentic New York style pizza, giant slices at that, in a no-frills, no-nonsense environment. Just great pizza and all the traditional favorite toppings. (Or not!)
- On the complete opposite end of town in the South Miami-Dade Kendall neighborhood at 8080 SW 67 Ave. is The Big Cheese. This family-style restaurant has fantastic pizza and it’s obvious by the immense wait lines that form on the weekends. It’s their loyal customers who can’t get enough of the place. It’s traditional NY style thin pizza here too.
- In the heart of Miami it’s easy to find the best pizza spot, it’s Casola’s at 2437 SW 17 Ave. where all the Miami cops and paramedics go for lunch. Their slices rival Steve’s in size (and taste) and best of all, they always have a slice or two cut up into tiny bite size pieces for nibbling while waiting to order. Lines are long but it’s worth it.
- A newer kid on the block than those three, but giving them a run for their money is Andiamo Brick Oven Pizza on Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard and 56 Street. The brick oven flavor makes the pizzas here unique, as do the array of fantastic, nouveau toppings available. The cool, triangular shaped location makes for great alfresco or indoor dining in a very hip area of town. At just a decade old, Andiamo packs ’em in week in and week out and has legions of fans.
- Finally the newest kid on the block but a force to be reckoned with is star chef and Miami’s pride and joy, Michael Schwartz’ Harry’s Pizzeria at 3918 North Miami Ave. in the Design District. Named after his son Harry, Michael’s not deviating from his farm to table concept used at his Michael’s Genuine. He’s growing his own herbs in front of the restaurant and using delectable ingredients like short ribs, rock shrimp, roasted pork and non-traditional pizza cheeses like cave aged gruyere, fontina and manchego.
By no means is this meant to be a comprehensive list but these are just some suggestions and these restaurants are the ones getting it right.
