Capri Pizzeria 30735 Greenfield Rd., Southfield; 248-647-7770; capripizzeria.net; $: Not to be confused with the Capri Bakery in Dearborn, you can get the same sort of Italian bakery-style pizza here, a bit thinner than most. But it's affordable, with a 10-slice pepperoni pizza going for $10.99. No seating; delivery and carryout only; near 13 Mile Road.

Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant 24443 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe; 586-777-5391; cloverleafrestaurant.com; $: Cloverleaf's thick, square pizza isn't the tradition that mini-chain Buddy's has become, which is a shame. You see, after opening Buddy's as a speakeasy in the Dirty '30s, Gus Guerra started selling pizza in the '40s and business took off. In the 1950s, Guerra sold it with the recipe and started Cloverleaf in what was then East Detroit. So you get a story with your pie. There's a full menu with something for the little ones, reasonable prices, a casual atmosphere.

Como's 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-5005; comosferndale.com; $$: Oh, yeah! We always forget that Como's serves food, including pizza pies. On a boozy day on their outdoor patio, they must come in handy once it's time to sober up and hit the happy hunting ground that is Woodward between Eight and Nine.

Cottage Inn 546 Packard, Ann Arbor; 734-769-5555; 512 E. William, Ann Arbor; 734-663-3379; originalcottageinn.com; $: At Cottage Inn, everything is made from scratch. And there's more than pizza, with lasagna, chicken pasta, and more. But the pizzas, round or deep dish, regular or specialty, have built a loyal following. 

Crust Pizza & Wine Bar 2595 Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-844-8899; crustpizza.net; $$: The flavors at Crust are a revelation — not to mention the wines chosen to go along with them. Lots of people pick up a pizza after work, and maybe a six-pack. For not a lot more money, you can have more fun at Crust, where the "Naples classics" attest to the Neapolitan way of thinking, where crust is supreme.

D'Amato's 222 S. Sherman Dr., Royal Oak; 248-584-7400; damatos.com/index.php; $$: Neighborhood Italian joint has eclectic and "from scratch" fare. A fresh Caesar or Caprese salad will run you $6, and a pizza with fresh mozzarella, rosemary, thyme and shaved zucchini is $8. Tender, fluffy gnocchi of ricotta and spinach come surrounded with a rich sauce, and veal saltimbocca arrives on soft layers of rapini and gnocchi, resting in a silky Marsala sauce. There are many more beef, chicken and seafood entrées, and 30 glasses and 60 bottles of wine to wash them down. What's more, there's often live music (call for schedule) and legendary Royal Oak martini bar Goodnight Gracie is connected to the restaurant.

Dearborn Italian Bakery 24545 Ford Rd., Dearborn; 313-274-2350; dearbornitalianbakery.com; $$: This is the kind of pie that seemingly improves after a night in the fridge. Their "taco pizza" puts a new twist on this old classic. They come large, but get a smaller one and leave room for their good desserts selection.

Frank's Restaurant & Pizzeria 3144 Biddle St., Wyandotte; 734-282-0512; $: Reputable Wyandotte pizza stop says their most popular pies, in addition to the ubiquitous pepperoni, is their "Frank's special" (ham, mushroom, green peppers, onion on an extra-large for $13.15) or the deluxe (pepperoni, hamburger, ham, green peppers, onion and, if that ain't enough, bacon on an extra-large for $14.75). 

Giorgio's 117 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-601-2882; georgiospizzaandpasta.com; $$: Here's your place for hand-tossed, brick-oven pizza in downtown Rochester. And they have more than just that. Giorgio's serves slices, full pies, gourmet pizzas, stuffed pizzas, calzones, and stromboli. Toppings run from anchovies to sun-dried tomatoes, and they'll even top it with grilled chicken. If you want it from the comfort of your own home, delivery charge is $2.50 with minimum $10 order.

Gracie See Pizzeria 6889 Greenfield Rd., Detroit; 313-581-8070; graciesee.com; 26734 Michigan Ave., Inkster; 313-359-0900; graciespasta.com; $$:  A shiny, new Inkster location opened a few years ago; for the original ambience, though, you gotta go to the one on the border of Dearborn and Detroit: This warren of rooms is a classic, old-fashioned pizzeria right down to the jukebox, wood paneling and waitresses who call you "hon'." And the pizzas are thin-crust softies that come on a grand, stand-up salver so you have room for your drinks. And you'll find everyone here, from bowling leagues to prom kids, no crowd is too hip for this room. Full bar. Online ordering available at both locations.

Green Lantern Lounge 28960 John R, Madison Heights; 248-541-5439; 4326 Rochester Rd., Royal Oak; 248-298-3005; greenlanternlounge.com; $$: As in most older pizza palaces, the kitchen first made thin-crusted round pies and only added the deep-dish variety around seven years ago. Both come in four sizes from 10 inches ($5.65-$6.15) to 16 inches ($10.90-$12.15) with the 10-inch mini suitable for two. The price structure here and throughout the menu is quite reasonable, another explanation for the Green Lantern's popularity. Best of all, they use the pepperoni that curl up into little "grease cups." Ah, the Midwest. Online ordering available for Royal Oak location.

> Email Metro Times food staff

comments powered by Disqus