Any Way You Slice It
Photo by: Jo Ann L Breaux | Crozet Pizza
Having lived in New York for some time, you really do get to know your pie joints. There’s the I’m going to wait in line for an hour or two place and there’s the it’s 3am, my heels are killing me, I’m drunk and I just want a slice. One of my favorite images in Williamsburg, NY was watching the late night crowd sit on the curb and devour their piping hot slices from Anna Maria’s on Bedford.
A good slice should entail the following:
Handheld Capability
Fresh Ingredients, no I do not think Pineapple belongs on pizza. Canada, we love you, but you really messed this up.
A Solid Sauce, not too sweet and not too salty
A Perfect Crust, maybe a little char on there, but definitely omitting any cardboard like quality
Cheese, for the love of all that is holy, cheese but create ribbons of melty goodness from the pie to your mouth
We here in RVA have an abundance of pizza joints worth checking out and to satisfy all tastes, from Chicago to NY style, we’ve got it! So thank you Italy for taking the Chinese invention and bringing it to what it is today—the most perfect food on Earth. To celebrate #NationalPizzaMonth, I give you my faves in the city and yes, I know there are more to mention, but these are my most frequently and loved in the city.
The Hills Have It
I have dreams of Mama Zu. I miss ordering white pizza there. I miss the grit and the overwhelming smell of garlic. I can’t think about it too much or else I will begin shedding tears over the loss of my favorite culinary delight in Richmond. Thank goodness for the Italians of RVA who created these pies of delights.
8 1/2 | The Fan | Church Hill
My hands down favorite pie in RVA. The fresh ingredients alone tantalizes the taste buds. I love grabbing this za and sitting in Scuffletown Park wolfing it down.
Dinamo | Oregon Hill
The former Mama Zu’s sweet lil cousin site, it’s no surprise they have knock your socks off pizza. Fresh and perfect and enjoyed in a quaint and warm environment.
Galley Kitchen | Stratford Hills
Not of the Mama Zu family, but of another established RVA restaurant family, Galley has some of the best pizzas I’ve ever experienced. Thanks to the talents of Giustino Riccio for bringing his masterpiece pizzas to the neighborhood diner. The Fennel and Sausage is a must have!
Pizza and Beer Have No Fear
Nothing makes a greater combo than beer and pizza and I have these places I enjoy for this.
The Hop Craft Pizza and Beer | The Fan
I love the pizza here and it’s just a bonus that they have a craft brew market adjoined to the dining area. Try the Pickleback, so good! Unique options and if you’re not feeling pizza, get their meatballs to go and add it to your favorite pasta.
PBR | The Fan | Mechanicsville
I like this place for its Fan location for the patio and to be honest the pizza is pretty solid. Sometimes I get tired of the whole “personal” pizza schtick, but if you are with a group, this place is fantastic.
Triple Crossing Beer | Fulton
I think sometimes simple is best. A good woodfire pizza at a brewery is a perfectly simplistic and go to combo. I love their pizzas a lot.
The Only Living Pizza (s) in RVA
I love New York Style pizza and it has to be foldable goodness where you need extra napkins to soak up the puddles of grease collected.
Jo-Jo’s Pizza | Downtown | Midlothian
How could I not love a pizza joint with my name? This is where I go when I’m craving The City. Their lunch special is where it’s at: 2 slices and one bevvy for about $10 (I remember when it was $6). Midlo location is open til 9pm and downtown is unfortunately just until 3pm. I love how they operate like in new york, even implementing the “NEXT!” prompt. A pizza worth a NY attitude.
Zorch Pizza | Carytown
Food truck turned brick and mortar, Zorch satisfies the New York pizza yearnings, but also tantalises your tastebuds. Fresh ingredients and Vegan pies are available!
Benny Ventano’s | The Fan
One slice will do ya, but if you are feeding an army, one pie could do the same at Benny’s. 28” of slathery goodness.
The Late Night
I don’t know about you, but there is nothing worse than having a night on the town with your friends and then the immense hunger portion of the night hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s hard enough finding food after 10 here, but finding the perfect slice won’t be as challenging.
Patrick Henry Pub & Grill | Church Hill
While you are waiting for James to make you a drink, order a thin crust personal pizza here. It’s an unsuspecting spot to enjoy a pie, but it is actually incredibly good and satisfying.
The Veteran
Mary Angela’s | Carytown
Institution, Mary Angela’s comforts me with futbol and New York style pizza and is reminiscent of my college years at VCU.
The Comfort Za
You have those days that are just lazy. You want to binge on stream and not get out of those jammies type of day? These are my go to convenient and easy spots.
Christian’s | The Fan | West End
if you can deal with the starving VCU students at the Fan location, you will get a pizza that is very tasty. Only comes in one size but you can bet they’ll be leftovers for a day or two. I love this place for the convenience, slices, and overall goodness.
Belmont Pizza | The Fan
Belmont has been a consistently great place to get a pie, nothing fancy, just simplistic delivery/pickup goodness.
To Top It Off!
A pizza is only as good as its ingredients.
Hot for Pizza | Carver
I would not expect anything less from the boys at Cobra Cabana, the novelty alone is reason to delve into this pie heaven. If you are looking for unique pizzas with flare or some great Vegan options, this is the spot. The variety of toppings and crust is enticing, my only complaint is—$6 toppings are a bit much.
A Day in the Slice
Crozet Pizza | Crozet, VA
One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is go apple picking at Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market in Crozet, VA. We then go over to Starr Hill and have some brews and finally we go to the best pizza spot, Crozet Pizza. I cannot say enough great things about this place. The pizza is consistently knockout good and the service is excellent. It is the perfect end to a perfect day in Crozet. Sure, you have to travel an hour and fifteen, but man is it worth the experience.
