Austin Pizza Guide
Top 10 Must-Try Spots
Austin, Texas, a city known for its vibrant culture and eclectic taste, has a burgeoning pizza scene that rivals traditional pizza strongholds. The city's diverse culinary landscape includes an impressive array of pizzerias, each offering their distinctive spin on this beloved dish. From tried and true traditional styles to innovative and locally inspired creations, Austin's pizza offering is representative of the city itself—dynamic, varied, and always with a hint of the unexpected.
The pizza culture in Austin encompasses a range of styles. Affectionately termed as “Austin's Pizza,” the local variant incorporates fresh, high-quality ingredients which often includes nods to Texan flavors. You can find everything from wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas with their characteristic blistered crusts and fresh mozzarella to hearty Detroit-style pies with thick, chewy bases and crispy cheese edges. The diversity of pizza available is a testament to the city’s love for this Italian staple, reimagined with a distinctive Austin twist.
Whether served in a trendy downtown eatery, a cozy neighborhood spot, or by way of a convenient delivery service, Austin's pizza is about more than just a meal—it's a reflection of the community's creativity and passion for good food. The culinary scene here invites locals and visitors alike to explore a wide variety of flavors, ensuring that there is a slice or a whole pie for every palate.
History and Culture of Pizza in Austin
Austin's pizza scene reflects a true melting pot of styles, steeped in tradition and innovation. Austin's Pizza traces its roots back to 1999, representing a creative twist on the classic dish in response to the city's appetite for artisanal pizzas.
New York-style pizza, characterized by its thin crust and foldable slices, finds its Austin representation in numerous pizzerias. It captures the fast-paced, diverse nature of Austin's urban lifestyle. In contrast, the Detroit-style pizza, with its rectangular shape and thick, crunchy crust, showcases the city's love for hearty and comforting meals.
Neapolitan pizza has a significant presence in Austin, with establishments like Pieous, one of the few VPN (Verace Pizza Napoletana)-certified restaurants in Texas. They take pride in crafting authentic Neapolitan pizzas, adhering to stringent traditional techniques and ingredients.
Beyond the pizza itself, the venues in Austin carry historical significance. Austin Pizza Garden, for example, operates in a building dating back to 1898, which has been a host to a multiplicity of businesses throughout history, adding a layer of cultural richness to the dining experience.
The culture of pizza in Austin, therefore, is not merely about the taste but also the stories, craftsmanship, and historical settings that embrace each bite. Austin's pizzerias serve as custodians of diverse traditions, ensuring that the city's pizza culture remains as dynamic and vibrant as its residents.
Top Austin Pizzerias and Their Specialties
Austin's pizza scene showcases a variety of styles from classic Neapolitan to Detroit-style, with each pizzeria offering a unique atmosphere and a signature take on this beloved dish.
Home Slice Pizza
Home Slice Pizza is renowned for its authentic New York-style pizza. Made with a love for the traditional thin crust and foldable slices, it provides both dine-in and takeaway options on South Congress, ensuring a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Via 313
At Via 313, the specialty is Detroit-style pizza. They craft square pies characterized by a thick, airy crust and a signature cheese skirt around the edges. This pizzeria captures the essence of Motor City right in the heart of Austin.
Pinthouse Pizza
Pinthouse Pizza combines craft beer with artisanal pizza. They offer a diverse range of flavorful, handcrafted pizzas in a laid-back setting ideal for casual outings or beer aficionados looking to enjoy a slice with their brew.
Little Deli & Pizzeria
With an East Coast ambiance, Little Deli & Pizzeria serves slices reminiscent of New York pizza with a crispy crust and a balanced ratio of sauce to cheese, making it a beloved neighborhood spot for a quick lunch or dinner.
Bufalina
Bufalina delivers a taste of Italy with its genuine Neapolitan pizzas. Now located in East Austin, their pizza is well-known for high-quality ingredients, including mozzarella di bufala, and a blistered crust that comes from a wood-fired oven.
Pieous
Pieous brings a passion for Neapolitan-inspired pizza to the Austin dining scene. Not only do they prioritize fresh ingredients, but their pizzas also feature flavorful combinations that are a testament to their dedication to the art of pizza making.
Backspace
Backspace offers a cozy, intimate experience with its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. Famed for the authenticity of their crust and the simplicity of their toppings, they serve as a testament to traditional Italian pizza methods.
Desano Pizzeria Napoletana
Lastly, Desano Pizzeria Napoletana offers a slice of authenticity with their traditional Neapolitan pizza. They use imported ingredients from Naples to create pizzas that are as close as one can get to the Italian original in Austin.
Specific Pizza Varieties
Austin's pizza landscape showcases a robust variety of styles, ranging from authentic European Neapolitan to hearty American classics like New York and Jersey-style. Additionally, the city caters to alternative dietary preferences with a selection of vegan pizza options.
Neapolitan and European Styles
Neapolitan pizza, characterized by its soft, chewy crust and fresh, high-quality toppings, finds a true representation in Bufalina, where the pizza is crafted following traditional techniques. This local favorite, along with Bufalina Due, serves as a testament to Austin's ability to offer authentic European pizza experiences.
Authentic Neapolitan: Margheritas and marinaras made with imported Italian ingredients.
Unique Offerings: Specialties like double garlic, double parmesan pizzas spiced with chili flakes.
New York and Jersey-Style
When it comes to New York and Jersey-style pizza, Austinites look to establishments like Tony C's for that iconic thin crust and foldable slice synonymous with the genre.
New York Thin Crust: Slices large enough to fold, with a crispy edge.
Jersey-Style Atmosphere: Laid-back venues replicating the Jersey pizzeria experience.
Vegan and Alternative Options
For those seeking plant-based fare, numerous pizzerias in Austin offer vegan pizza, featuring dairy-free cheeses and a myriad of vegetable toppings for a guilt-free indulgence.
Vegan Pizza: Creative use of non-dairy cheeses and vibrant vegetable toppings.
Health-Conscious Variants: Options with whole wheat or gluten-free crusts accommodating dietary restrictions.
Niche and Novelty Pizza Experiences
Austin's pizza scene is vibrant, offering unique and innovative pizzas that transcend traditional styles. These experiences often combine local craftsmanship with creativity, providing impressive culinary delights for both pizza enthusiasts and adventurous diners.
East Austin Craftsmanship
In East Austin, pizza artisans like Bufalina and Side Eye Pie put a spotlight on handmade pies with a focus on quality and detail. Bufalina boasts a meticulous approach to Neapolitan pizza, while Side Eye Pie offers distinctive flavors, ensuring every slice is a masterpiece of taste and texture.
Pizza Paired with Local Brews
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (ABGB), nestled in South Lamar, epitomizes the harmony of pizza with local craft beer. They showcase an array of beers that pair splendidly with their specialty pizzas. Further out, in the pastoral setting of the Texas Hill Country, Jester King offers a similar experience, combining their renowned farmhouse brews with artisan pizzas.
Late Night Pizza Spots
Night owls have options like Night Owl in North Loop and Love Supreme Pizza Bar on Burnet Road, serving up pies well into the wee hours. These joints cater to the late-night crowd with their ambient settings and tempting menus, providing solace to those seeking quality pizza after dark.
Special Mentions and Community Favorites
When it comes to Austin's pizza scene, several establishments stand out for their unique offerings and local allure.
Home Slice Pizza has established itself as a staple for New York-style slices, offering the classic thin, flexible choice that fans often fold in half. It's a community favorite that consistently captures the essence of city-style pizza.
Via 313 Pizza is renowned for its Detroit-style pies, distinguished by thick, square cuts with a crispy, cheesy crust. It's an essential stop for those craving a heartier, indulgent experience.
For lovers of gourmet options, Marye's Gourmet Pizza provides an upscale twist on traditional offerings, while Il Brutto is admired for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens, providing a taste of Italy in the heart of Texas.
Spartan Pizza's mobile operations deliver creative toppings on a delectable crust, which is ideal for the adventurous eater on the go.
Austin's commitment to diverse pizza styles is further represented by East Side Pies, where thin-crust pizzas come with locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a fresh and community-oriented dining experience.
Sammataro impresses with its wood-fired pizzas, and although US Pizza and Italy did not appear in the search results, their inclusion would depend on their relevance and popularity within the local pizza community.
Here's a quick guide to not miss the local favorites:
Home Slice Pizza: New York-style slices
Via 313 Pizza: Detroit-style pies
Marye's Gourmet Pizza: Upscale, gourmet pizzas
Il Brutto: Authentic Neapolitan pizzas
Spartan Pizza: Mobile pizzeria with unique toppings
East Side Pies: Locally sourced, thin-crust pizzas
Sammataro: Wood-fired pizzas
Guide to Austin's Pizza Scene
In Austin, TX, the pizza scene is a vibrant reflection of the city's diverse culinary landscape. It does not have a distinctive pizza style, but it more than makes up for that with a plethora of options that cater to everyone's taste.
Local Favorites: Austin takes pride in unique combinations like the Down Under pizza, which features marinated shrimp, smoked Gouda cheese, jalapenos, and red onions, showcasing the city's knack for creativity. Whether it's wood-fired or Detroit-style slices, pizza places in Austin cater to purists and adventurers alike.
Popular Picks:
New York-style: Thin-crust aficionados find solace in the city's take on the classic NY slice.
Roman Pizza: Those preferring a crunchier bite explore the offerings of Roman-style pizzerias.
Wood-Fired: Traditionalists appreciate the smoky flavors from wood-fired ovens.
Austin's pizzerias forge ahead with an unwavering commitment to quality, leading to a scene that is as eclectic as it is delicious. They serve as gastronomic sanctuaries where each establishment offers a signature take on the iconic dish. The next time one is on the quest for the perfect pizza in Austin, they are sure to find a place that resonates with their preferences, be it a classic, cheesy slice or a gourmet pie with an innovative twist.
Conclusion
In Austin, the pizza scene offers a smorgasbord of options that caters to a wide array of preferences. Austin's commitment to both traditional and innovative pizza manifests in venues like DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana, where the dedication to authenticity shines with ingredients sourced directly from Napoli. Via 313 demonstrates the city's culinary versatility, serving Detroit-style pizzas that present a hearty, square-shaped alternative characterized by a thick, crispy crust and a tapestry of flavors.
For those in pursuit of an intimate dining experience paired with carefully crafted pizzas, establishments such as The Backspace bring together a symphony of artisanal choices, a fine wine selection, and a welcoming atmosphere. It is not just about the food; it is the experience that sets them apart.
Pieous Pizza illustrates adaptability, building a reputation not just on their pizzas, but also diversifying into pastries and pastrami, showcasing how Austin’s pizza destinations can evolve into broader culinary institutions.
While not specifically mentioned in the search results, the presence of Love Supreme Pizza Bar might offer another noteworthy facet to Austin's pizza portfolio, potentially aligning with the city's appetite for unique pizza experiences.
In essence, pizza lovers in Austin are spoilt for choice. The city's pizza establishments offer a rich tapestry of tastes ranging from classic preparations to inventive renditions. They each contribute to the dynamic food culture for which Austin has become well-celebrated.
