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Photo courtesy of Mootz Pizzeria + Bar
When the pizza conversation keeps landing on the same familiar spots, it can overlook the places people actually order from on a weeknight, pick up for a family dinner, or recommend without hesitation. These eight pizzerias stand out for specific pies, distinct house styles, and menus that give regulars a reason to come back.
Loui’s Pizza
23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park
Loui’s Pizza is the place for a Detroit-style square with a deeply caramelized edge and a crust sturdy enough to carry every layer. A classic pepperoni pie is always a smart order, but the restaurant’s combination pizzas are just as good, especially when that crisp cheese line runs all the way around the pan on the BBQ Chicken or Meat Lovers options. To extend the meal, pick one of the Italian Specialties on the menu to round it out, like the Mostaccioli or Baked Cappelletti, or go with a classic steak hoagie or hot meatball sandwich if that’s more your speed.
Fredi The PizzaMan
17900 Allen Road, Melvindale
Fredi The PizzaMan has built a menu that gives diners more to latch onto than a basic cheese pie. Specialty pizzas are the strongest argument for ordering here, with combinations that feel more deliberate than routine, and the rest of the menu backs that up with pasta and calzones that turn the stop into a full dinner. Pizzas range from Carlo (with smoked pepper seeds and buffalo sauce) to Johnny Ola (featuring spinach, mozzarella, ricotta, and white sauce), or one of the many Margarita choices, like mushroom or hot honey. A signature pie paired with an order of ravioli or some goulash makes the most sense if you want the full range.
Tomatoes APIZZA
24369 Halsted Road, Farmington
34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham
29275 West 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
Tomatoes APIZZA is built around New Haven-style apizza, and that means the crust does a lot of the talking. Thin, charred, and just chewy enough, it gives structure to standout orders like the Crab pizza and the Green pie, both of which put the style front and center. For a little bit of everything, go for the Naples Sampler to get a pizza with four quarters topped with signature options. Owner Mike Weinstein proudly shares accolades: “Best pizza in Michigan” —Food Network, and “One of the 25 best pizzas on Earth”—GQ magazine. Those nods track with a menu that feels precise, especially for anyone looking for something well outside the standard round pie. Pair with a garlic bread or a fresh Caprese salad for a well-rounded dinner.
Sammy’s Pizza
Multiple locations in Metro Detroit
At Sammy’s Pizza, you’re certainly going to want to order more than one box. Its specialty pizzas and custom combinations make it easy to split the table between something loaded and something classic, whether that means a meat-heavy pie, a veggie build, or a straight pepperoni for the tried-and-true crowd. Options range from a Taco pie loaded with nacho cheese Doritos, ground beef, and all the classic nacho staples, while the Mac N Cheese is a cheesy dream. BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger is one-of-a-kind, as is the Sweet N’ Spicy topped with grilled chicken, mild peppers, pineapple, and sweet chili sauce. Breadsticks, a variety of cheese bread, subs, and other takeout staples help fill out the meal, but the pizza remains the reason to call.
Major Tomato
6547 Allen Road, Allen Park
Major Tomato leans into specialty pizzas that feel made to share, with house combinations that give people a reason to skip the standard order. With deep-dish and round choices, everyone is satisfied with crust options. As for topping combinations, pies range from Choked Up (artichokes, roasted red pepper, spinach), Sir Rancha (no red sauce but chicken, veggies, and a Sriracha ranch drizzle), and Loaded Major Potato (with you guessed it, potatoes, broccoli, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and everything else you love on your baked potatoes). Little Mac is also noteworthy, loaded with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and onions, just like some people’s go-to fast food burger. Pair with some breadsticks or a salad to round things out, or stick with the pies that make the stop worth remembering.
Supino Pizzeria
6519 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
2457 Russell Street, Detroit
Supino Pizzeria keeps its focus on thin-crust pies that let each topping register. The Supino, with roasted garlic, black olives, chili oil, and ricotta, remains one of the clearest examples of that approach, while the Margherita keeps things stripped down to tomato, mozzarella, and basil. City Wing Thing is a staple, topped with smoked chicken, Gouda, banana peppers, and garlic, while Bismark switches it up with ham and eggs. The Funghi is another strong order, especially if you want something that still feels substantial without piling on too much. Supinos prides itself on partnering locally for ingredients and offers rotating pizzas to keep things even more interesting.
Mootz Pizzeria + Bar
1230 Library Street, Detroit
Mootz Pizzeria + Bar is a go-to staple for authentic New York-style pizza, pasta, and more when you’re downtown. With three-day fermented dough that keeps things light and airy, the pies on the menu speak for themselves. Bee Sting is a must if you like hot honey, while Juliet is topped with prosciutto, fig jam, and balsamic glaze. Other menu picks, including its pastas and starters (do not leave without ordering the Garlic Knots), make it easy to turn a pizza stop into a full dinner before a game, a concert, or a night out. “To be recognized as one of the best in Detroit speaks to what we set out to build from day one: quality ingredients, authentic techniques, and a true passion for the craft,” shares Lisa Walters, operating partner of Mootz Pizzeria + Bar. “Seven years in, Detroiters have made Mootz their own, whether it’s a quick lunch or a big night out.”
Grandma Bob’s
2135 Michigan Avenue, Detroit
Grandma Bob’s has made a name for itself with pies that move past the default pepperoni-and-cheese routine. Specialty combinations are the reason to order here, especially if you want something with a little heat, a sweet-and-savory angle, or a topping mix that feels more specific to the kitchen than to any generic pizza menu. Bar Style Pizzas include the Pickle and Calabrian Chile choices, while deep-dish ranges from Sausage + Pistachio, Big Mack, and Mushroom. Adding Cheddar Bacon Jalapeño bread helps round out the meal, but the main event is choosing a pie you probably would not find just anywhere. For a sweeter note, check out the Boozy Shakes for a twist on dessert. In addition, once a month, Grandma Bob’s hosts a guest chef to raise money for a charity of their choice with their own Detroit-style pizzas.
Together, these spots make a strong case for skipping the usual shortlist. Whether the order is a Detroit-style square, a thin-crust favorite, or a New York-style pie with a signature topping combination, each one gives diners something specific to rave about.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on December 19, 2023, and was authored by Carolyn Hall.
