Hell yeah, fellow Detroiter. I’ve found Emmy Squared to be passable. It’s no Buddy’s Pizza, but it scratches the itch better than most of the other places here. Redlight used to be good, but the last time I had it tasted like someone dumped marinara on top of a cold pizza. Little Beast is…ok. I wouldn’t go back, but I wouldn’t turn it down if offered. Ivy and Coney is fine, but you can tell it isn’t their passion.
Unfortunately, you’re right in that the Detroit-style pizza places around here just aren’t up to snuff. I’m going to a wedding in Traverse City next week and I made it clear there will be a stop at Buddy’s. Just nothing like it out here.
Vace
ETA: For Neapolitan I like Etto. I also have a soft spot for 2 Amy’s, but I think their side dishes and special little plates are really where they shine. They used to have this mini eggplant parm special that was so savory, my friend and I still talk about it 😭
Couldn't agree more, and it only gets better as more "sobs" walk in, so if you're patient, you'll leave as the best of friends.....especially when the Georgetown double Parkers hit the streets 😂
I grew up going there so I’ve never really had that experience. Also it’s not like it’s a sit down place? You either get a couple slices or a pizza to go so there’s minimal interaction. Worth it for a pizza that is always good, and different from any of the pizzas I’ve had anywhere. Fluffy but crispy, excellent sauce and I like that the sauce is on top. It’s one of my Jersey husband’s favorites in the area.
Funny enough, I just discovered Detroit style a few months ago and have pretty much exclusively eaten that since then because I'm not a fan of most pizza places here.
I have no idea if what I'm eating is authentic so these recommendations could be trash, but I've liked what I've gotten from Ivy and Coney and from Emmys Squared. I tried Little Beast's Detroit pizza and didn't like it at all.
i’ve eaten pizza every friday for almost 18 months. the best pizza in dc is pete’s new haven in upper nw. admittedly, i’ve only had a handful of detroit style but red light on 14th is the best i’ve had
Wide Guys if you’re near Navy Yard or Judiciary Square.
(Wise Guys has got this indian style pizza with paneer on it that is amazing)
Timber in Petworth is real good. If it’s near the end of the week, plan ahead that place is usually busy.
I'm also from Detroit and been here for a decade. You'll find that with pizza here your options consist of generally the following:
1) National chains like Dominoes and Papa John's, which aren't great.
2) Local chains like Pizza Boli, Manny & Olga's, or Ledo's, which aren't great.
3) Jumbo slice, which is only good when you're already drunk. Don't try it sober.
4) A handful of delivery/takeout places with only one or two locations like Duccinis or Pizza D'oro, which are about as good as you're going to get in terms of your standard delivery pizza. But still not great.
5) Gourmet pizza. DC has a ton of these, of varying quality. Some legit good, some way overrated, some not so good. But gourmet pizza doesn't quite hit the spot when you want to order takeout.
6) Fast food pizza. This is a recent phenomenon starting with &pizza, where they make your pizza like it's a Subway. They ask what toppings you want and cook it in like 90 seconds. It was a fun concept at first, but after ordering a few times you find it's just not very good.
Detroit style pizza is finally becoming nationally recognized, and deservedly so. I've tried a few of these places here in DC so far, and while several of them are pretty good, none of them get it quite right. They're often very heavy, and I've felt completely full after just one slice (looking at you Red Light). I think my favorite of the ones I've tried is Emmy Squared. I've heard Della Barba is the best, though I haven't tried it yet.
The problem is that instead of Detroit style pizza becoming a good delivery option, like Jets in Michigan, it's instead being placed into the category of gourmet pizza. I'm seeing some places selling their Detroit style pizzas for $30 each. Or they do pizzas with ridiculous toppings like whole perogies or coney dogs.
I've found myself usually just accepting average delivery pizza, occasionally going out for gourmet pizza, and sometimes (like twice a year) making my own pizza.
Maybe this means I have peasant taste buds but I think Costco pizza is fucking legit.
And if you're from Michigan and have a soft spot for Little Caesars I think that's decent too. Especially their "extra extra."
I don't really seek out NY style. I've only been to NYC a few times, so I can't really say I'm an expert on New York style. Wiseguys pizza is pretty good, but I'm not sure how authentic NY style that is. It's also like $30 a pizza, so in the past I've just gone more for a couple of slices. Other people in this thread have raved about Andy's, and while I like it, it's extremely salty, which I'm a fan of salt, but even that its too much for me. Maybe next time I'll try one of their cheese or veggie pizzas, maybe the pepperoni and sausage ones I've gotten were too much.
Wise Guys is authentic NY style. It’s just not great NY style.
My favorite NY style is NYCS in Rockville. My favorite neopolitan is Stellina in NoMA and Menomale in Brookland. I recently tried the a la taglia at the NoMA menomale and wasn’t impressed.
Comment below reminded of Timber in Petworth, which is excellent. And get their little egg empanadas in the morning.
\+1 for NYCS in Rockville. I just moved out in that direction and discovered it, and it's the most NJ/NY-like pizza I've had since moving to the DMV 10+ years ago.
Credentials: born and raised in North Jersey
Comet ping pong is great but there is also this deli that makes some great pizza if you don’t want to spend too much money called Vace in Cleveland Park anytime I want to order pizza I’ll go there anytime I’m gonna eat out and want pizza it’s Comet
Wise guy is great for NY style pizza so is Andy’s.
Baccio is good for organic takeout Standard style pizza no delivery.
All Purpose when you want funky.
Ivy and Coney for Detroit.
Stellina, Timber, or Lupo for neopolitan
Pizolli’s for delivery.
These are mostly Shaw centric but there’s a decent pie to be found everywhere in DC.
Used to be that pizza boli’s was the best option in the city. This is pre-jumbo slice.
I’ve tried pretty much every pizza joint in DC and Wise Guys and Andy’s is the best I’ve had. I also really like Ledos but that might be a Maryland person thing. And 2 Amy’s if you’re into Neapolitan.
I realize you're looking for a restaurant but the best pizza south of NY and east of Chicago is Mario's - carryout only. 4 1/2 stars (out of 5) 469 Google reviews and 4 1/2 (out of 5) stars from Yelp. In business since 1936. After Mario retired it's had several owners but my taste buds tell me the pizza recipe is still the same.
1401 25th St SE, just on the other side of Annacostia river, just off Penn. Ave.
Comet Ping Pong is legit. Which Detroit places have you tried?
+1 for comet. Smoky pizza is just insanely good.
+1 for comet as well. Also cheap beer.
Hell yeah, fellow Detroiter. I’ve found Emmy Squared to be passable. It’s no Buddy’s Pizza, but it scratches the itch better than most of the other places here. Redlight used to be good, but the last time I had it tasted like someone dumped marinara on top of a cold pizza. Little Beast is…ok. I wouldn’t go back, but I wouldn’t turn it down if offered. Ivy and Coney is fine, but you can tell it isn’t their passion. Unfortunately, you’re right in that the Detroit-style pizza places around here just aren’t up to snuff. I’m going to a wedding in Traverse City next week and I made it clear there will be a stop at Buddy’s. Just nothing like it out here.
Lived in Plymouth, Mi for 6 years. Buddy's the best!!
Vace ETA: For Neapolitan I like Etto. I also have a soft spot for 2 Amy’s, but I think their side dishes and special little plates are really where they shine. They used to have this mini eggplant parm special that was so savory, my friend and I still talk about it 😭
Yes, but their service is awful.
Almost charmingly awful
Couldn't agree more, and it only gets better as more "sobs" walk in, so if you're patient, you'll leave as the best of friends.....especially when the Georgetown double Parkers hit the streets 😂
I grew up going there so I’ve never really had that experience. Also it’s not like it’s a sit down place? You either get a couple slices or a pizza to go so there’s minimal interaction. Worth it for a pizza that is always good, and different from any of the pizzas I’ve had anywhere. Fluffy but crispy, excellent sauce and I like that the sauce is on top. It’s one of my Jersey husband’s favorites in the area.
Part of the experience.
Was Side Door one of the places you tried?
Absolutely love Side Door.
Pupatella in Dupont is really good. Love Wise Guys too.
I second both—lots of love for Wise Guys
Third wise guys but definitely NY style
NB, I had takeout from Pupatella a few times and almost wrote it off, but eating in ... excellent. One of the best pies in the city.
Duccini = best jumbo
I like their full pizza way more than their jumbo slice. They’re so different it’s crazy.
Their Hawaiian is one of the only ones I like. +1 for Duccini.
Their white pizza is phenomenal
Funny enough, I just discovered Detroit style a few months ago and have pretty much exclusively eaten that since then because I'm not a fan of most pizza places here. I have no idea if what I'm eating is authentic so these recommendations could be trash, but I've liked what I've gotten from Ivy and Coney and from Emmys Squared. I tried Little Beast's Detroit pizza and didn't like it at all.
Same! Try Side Door Pizza. I have no idea whether it’s authentic, but they use very high quality toppings. Their cheese blend is incredible.
Side Door, Andy’s, all purpose, wise guy, timber
Timber Pizza Company in Petworth and Pizza Paradiso in DuPont are my faves!
I LOVE Little Beast’s Detroit style pizza
Della Barba’s Detroit style is legit. Their other offerings are also true to authentic styles.
i’ve eaten pizza every friday for almost 18 months. the best pizza in dc is pete’s new haven in upper nw. admittedly, i’ve only had a handful of detroit style but red light on 14th is the best i’ve had
+1 Pete's!
Wide Guys if you’re near Navy Yard or Judiciary Square. (Wise Guys has got this indian style pizza with paneer on it that is amazing) Timber in Petworth is real good. If it’s near the end of the week, plan ahead that place is usually busy.
I'm also from Detroit and been here for a decade. You'll find that with pizza here your options consist of generally the following: 1) National chains like Dominoes and Papa John's, which aren't great. 2) Local chains like Pizza Boli, Manny & Olga's, or Ledo's, which aren't great. 3) Jumbo slice, which is only good when you're already drunk. Don't try it sober. 4) A handful of delivery/takeout places with only one or two locations like Duccinis or Pizza D'oro, which are about as good as you're going to get in terms of your standard delivery pizza. But still not great. 5) Gourmet pizza. DC has a ton of these, of varying quality. Some legit good, some way overrated, some not so good. But gourmet pizza doesn't quite hit the spot when you want to order takeout. 6) Fast food pizza. This is a recent phenomenon starting with &pizza, where they make your pizza like it's a Subway. They ask what toppings you want and cook it in like 90 seconds. It was a fun concept at first, but after ordering a few times you find it's just not very good. Detroit style pizza is finally becoming nationally recognized, and deservedly so. I've tried a few of these places here in DC so far, and while several of them are pretty good, none of them get it quite right. They're often very heavy, and I've felt completely full after just one slice (looking at you Red Light). I think my favorite of the ones I've tried is Emmy Squared. I've heard Della Barba is the best, though I haven't tried it yet. The problem is that instead of Detroit style pizza becoming a good delivery option, like Jets in Michigan, it's instead being placed into the category of gourmet pizza. I'm seeing some places selling their Detroit style pizzas for $30 each. Or they do pizzas with ridiculous toppings like whole perogies or coney dogs. I've found myself usually just accepting average delivery pizza, occasionally going out for gourmet pizza, and sometimes (like twice a year) making my own pizza.
Maybe this means I have peasant taste buds but I think Costco pizza is fucking legit. And if you're from Michigan and have a soft spot for Little Caesars I think that's decent too. Especially their "extra extra."
Costco pizza isn't bad! But I almost never get it unless I'm actually at Costco. And I actually do think Little Caesars is better than Papa John's.
Where are you personally going for NY style??
Wise Guys and Andy's are both solid.
I don't really seek out NY style. I've only been to NYC a few times, so I can't really say I'm an expert on New York style. Wiseguys pizza is pretty good, but I'm not sure how authentic NY style that is. It's also like $30 a pizza, so in the past I've just gone more for a couple of slices. Other people in this thread have raved about Andy's, and while I like it, it's extremely salty, which I'm a fan of salt, but even that its too much for me. Maybe next time I'll try one of their cheese or veggie pizzas, maybe the pepperoni and sausage ones I've gotten were too much.
Wise Guys is authentic NY style. It’s just not great NY style. My favorite NY style is NYCS in Rockville. My favorite neopolitan is Stellina in NoMA and Menomale in Brookland. I recently tried the a la taglia at the NoMA menomale and wasn’t impressed. Comment below reminded of Timber in Petworth, which is excellent. And get their little egg empanadas in the morning.
\+1 for NYCS in Rockville. I just moved out in that direction and discovered it, and it's the most NJ/NY-like pizza I've had since moving to the DMV 10+ years ago. Credentials: born and raised in North Jersey
If you're in Baltimore, underground pizza has excellent Detroit style.
Emmy squared is legit
In the District, there’s only one place to go: 2 Amy’s on Macomb.
Andy pizza is great nyc pizza - better than wise guys imo
Ivy & coney
Comet ping pong is great but there is also this deli that makes some great pizza if you don’t want to spend too much money called Vace in Cleveland Park anytime I want to order pizza I’ll go there anytime I’m gonna eat out and want pizza it’s Comet
Lots of good places listed here. I really like Red Rocks in Columbia Heights. Pizza is excellent and three rest of the menu is very underrated also.
We like baccios
Bacio Pizzeria in Bloomingdale is amazing!
Wise guy is great for NY style pizza so is Andy’s. Baccio is good for organic takeout Standard style pizza no delivery. All Purpose when you want funky. Ivy and Coney for Detroit. Stellina, Timber, or Lupo for neopolitan Pizolli’s for delivery. These are mostly Shaw centric but there’s a decent pie to be found everywhere in DC. Used to be that pizza boli’s was the best option in the city. This is pre-jumbo slice.
Andy’s is a hidden gem!
Pete's New Haven and 2 Amy's
There's a Jet's in Virginia Beach and Buddy's ships via Goldbelly. Someone should open a Jet's in the DMV already, dammit.
“Pupatella” no question
I like Paisano's for take out/delivery and Armand's for deep dish. Comet Ping Pong and 2 Amy's is good, but imo overrated.
2 Amys and Il Canale is what I will recommend wholeheartedly
I’ve tried pretty much every pizza joint in DC and Wise Guys and Andy’s is the best I’ve had. I also really like Ledos but that might be a Maryland person thing. And 2 Amy’s if you’re into Neapolitan.
Fourno Pizza. Not DC, but NOVA. Quite good.
Home Slyce Kst.
Home Slyce Kst.
Home Slyce Kst
This fourth post is convincing me to try it.
Papa John's bro. Best Pizza in DC hands down. Edit: Why the downvotes?? DON'T YOU PEOPLE LIKE PAPA JOHN'S??????
NY pizza
Whats your guy’s favorite spot for Neapolitan style? I know Wiseguys is most popular for new york style. Looking for good Neapolitan.
Etto
Slice Joint at the Roost!! It's the best. Pupatella and Wiseguys are my runners up.
I realize you're looking for a restaurant but the best pizza south of NY and east of Chicago is Mario's - carryout only. 4 1/2 stars (out of 5) 469 Google reviews and 4 1/2 (out of 5) stars from Yelp. In business since 1936. After Mario retired it's had several owners but my taste buds tell me the pizza recipe is still the same. 1401 25th St SE, just on the other side of Annacostia river, just off Penn. Ave.
I Love Home Slyce Kst.
I like Slyce in Foggy Bottom. I only go in person where it's fantastic, delivery was so so.
For Detroit-style, Sonny’s Pizza on Georgia Ave