25 Detroit-style pizzas everyone should've tried by now

By Metro Times editorial staff on Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 3:19 pm

The secret is out about Detroit-style pizza. Decades before Vice would call Detroit-style "the best pizza you never had," followed by Esquire magazine, which made the bold claim that our take on the beloved dish is "conquering America," we had Buddy's, Cloverleaf, Loui's, Shield's, and Jet's. The Detroit-syle pizza trend, er, lifestyle, continues to bubble throughout the Detroit area with new pizzerias offering our specialty deep-dish pie cropping up all over town. Whether you want to try the pie that started it all or get quirky with unique flavor twists on a classic, these are 25 must-try Detroit-style pizzerias you should be stuffing yourself at right now. Like, right now.

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Buddy’s

Various locations; buddyspizza.com

Detroit-style pizza is said to trace its origins to Gus Guerra, who owned neighborhood Buddy’s Rendezvous in 1946 when he asked his wife Anna to help him retool the menu. With a recipe based on her Sicilian mother’s dough, Buddy’s secret ingredient was the baking pan, which allegedly came from a car factory, and gave what became known as Detroit-style pizza its signature crispiness.

Photo via Yelp Inc., Flickr Creative Commons

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Jet's

Various locations; jetspizza.com

Some might say Jet’s Pizza is to Detroit-style deep dish as what McDonald’s is to the classic American burger and fries — but that doesn’t make it any less tasty. While you might not get the dining ambiance of other pizzeria’s featured on this list, Jet’s is still a reliable way to scratch that Detroit-style deep-dish itch.

Photo via Wikipedia Commons

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Como’s

22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-667-4439; comosrestaurant.com

This Italian-American restaurant got a major facelift in recent years, including the addition of gourmet Detroit-style pies to its menu.

Photo via COMO’s Ferndale / Facebook

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Michigan & Trumbull

1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; michigantrumbullpizza.com

Opened in Corktown last year, Michigan & Trumbull is known for its unique toppings.

Photo via Michigan & Trumbull/Facebook

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Detroit Style Pizza Company

28630 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-445-2810; detroitstylepizza.co

You haven't had Detroit-style pizza until you've tried Detroit Style Pizza Company. They specialize in thick, squared pizza with crispy cheese on top.

Photo via Detroit Style Pizza Co. / Facebook

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Pie-Sci

5163 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-818-0290; piescipizza.com

Pie-Sci specializes in unique pizzas, with quirky names like Pickle Rick Pizza, Notorious P.I.G., Jerky Boys, Smores, and more.

Photo via Google Maps

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Shield's Pizzeria

5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6087; 25101 Telegraph Rd., Southfield; 313-356-2720; shieldspizza.com

If you're looking for a good meal and drink, Shield's is the place to go.

Photo via Google Maps

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Loui’s Pizza

23141 Dequindre Rd., Hazel Park; 248-547-1711; facebook.com/louispizza

Have you ever eaten at a pizza joint surrounded by empty wine bottles? At Loui's, you can look at the many wine bottles along the walls that decorate the entire restaurant. Its coziness and family-like ambiance make the pizza taste even better.

Photo via Google Maps

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Grandma Bob’s Pizza

2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177; grandmabobs.com

Grandma Bob's has a wide variety of handmade pizzas, including the Pear and Fig, Big Mack, and Street Beet Dorito Crunch. Inside is also the Cold Truth, a vegan ice cream parlor.

Photo via Grandma Bob’s Handmade Pizza / Facebook

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Green Lantern

Various locations; greenlanternpizza.com

Tracing its lineage back 55 years, Green Lantern Pizza got its signature name from the legendary green lanterns that were said to mark speakeasies where patrons could buy alcohol during prohibition. Nowadays, Green Lantern offers a low-key atmosphere filled with sports history and photos for you to ponder while you munch down a crispy Detroit-style deep dish.

Photo via Green Lantern Pizza/Facebook

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Amar Pizza

12195 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313-366-0980; amarpizzamenu.com

This small but mighty pizzeria offers thin-crust and deep-dish pies and single slices. Among its popular pizzas are the Tandoori, Philly Steak, seafood, gyro, and the ghost pizza, which comes with a warning thanks to the spicy ghost-pepper sauce. Amar’s was featured on the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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Z's Villa

42 Piquette St., Detroit; 313-874-2680; zsvilla.com

A killer happy hour is sometimes the only motivation you need when deciding where to dine with a group of close friends. At Z’s Villa that’s exactly what you get.

Photo via Z's Villa/Facebook

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Amicci’s Pizza

3849 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-842-7373; 9841 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-875-1992; amiccispizza.com

With two locations, one in Southwest and another in Hamtramck, Amicci’s Pizza provides a large menu and a wide selection of specialty pizzas — like its Chicken Thai Pie — for any Detroiters looking for a quick and delicious slice.

Photo via Google Maps

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Belle Isle Pizza

7869 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-331-1222; belleislepizza.com

Located just across the river from Belle Isle on the lower east side of Detroit, Belle Isle Pizza is the perfect stop to satisfy your pizza craving during or after a long day of swimming and laying out in the sun at Detroit’s island getaway.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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Niki’s Pizza

735 Beaubien, Detroit; 313-961-4303; nikisdetroit.com

While most associate Sicily with Detroit-style pizza, Nikki’s Pizza in Greektown combines the Detroit classic with all the pleasures of greek dining. With a cozy european atmosphere and a location just down the street from the casino, Nikki’s is a surefire way to come out of a night at Greektown feeling lucky.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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The Original Buscemi’s

Various locations; originalbuscemis.com

Another OG of the Detroit pizza and subs scene, Buscemi’s started in 1955 and has expanded from there. Though known for introducing the Italian submarine sandwiches — the torpedo and baby subs — to Detroit, it has gained a reputation as one of the top spots for Detroit-style deep dishes since its humble inception.

Photo via The Original Buscemi's/Facebook

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Papa’s Pizza & BBQ

Various locations; eatpapas.com

Papa’s Pizza & BBQ has franchise locations all around Detroit. Similar to Jet’s, it’s a fast and reliable place to grab a crispy, Detroit-style deep dish at a good price.

Photo via Google Maps

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Uncle Andy’s Pizza

Various locations; uncleandyspizza.com

A signature sauce and daily made fresh dough is really all you can ask for when searching for that next slice. Uncle Andy’s is known for delivering crispy deep dishes at a good price.

Photo via Uncle Andy's Pizza/Facebook

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Sicily’s Pizzeria & Subs

3554 Vernor Highway, Detroit; 313-554-0755; sicilysdetroit.com

The Southwest Detroit pizzeria uses fresh locally-sourced ingredients, no sugar, and no vegetable oil. Voted the No. 1 pizza spot by WXYZ Channel 7 in Detroit, this locally owned and operated pizza place is a must-try for any pizza-loving Detroiter.

Photo via Sicily's Pizza and Subs/Facebook

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Cloverleaf Pizza

Various locations; cloverleaf-pizza.com

Another direct descendant of Gus Guerra’s square shaped pizza legacy, Cloverleaf offers a wide variety of premium toppings and gluten free options for those inclined. Be sure to check out their deep dish square bread alongside whatever specialty pizza you order.

Photo via Cloverleaf Pizza/Facebook

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