Come to find out there’s a lot of controversy surrounding PIZZA – thin crust, deep dish, Chicago style, Neapolitan, wood fire, coal fire – it goes on and on… Oh my gosh, I’m starving.
Ok. I have a confession – we eat an inappropriate amount of pizza no matter where we go.
And we’re always on the go. So we are searching out amazing pizza spots almost daily.
- Because pizza is friggin’ fantastic and…
- We are in search of a pie to beat the pie of all pies.
Tomatoes Apizza – Farmington, MI
Our absolute favorite pizza spot is… drum roll…
Tomatoes APIZZA, I mean, #forgetaboutit – to our refined palates there is NOTHING better than this pie – super thin crust cooked in a charcoal oven. I also LOVE that you can get a sampler pizza so it’s divided into three sections – with different toppings on each. The sauce is perfection – the flavor of the crust is beautiful. It’s served on a baking sheet and is the thing that pizza dreams are made of.
When we’re in Michigan – we eat here weekly. The vibe is also amazingly chill – you can be dressed to go out after or in your PJ’s – either way – pick a booth and dig in.
And, just so you know that we’ve been doing our research…
We had pizza nearly EVERY day on our 14-day Honeymoon through Italy. And I felt like the sauce was a bit too sweet in most pies and the crust actually didn’t have much flavor. *That being said – I am happy to go back to Italy and carry on this important research if someone is willing to invest and fund my research costs – LOL – but seriously, I would do that. . . . please get in touch.
Tomatoes Apizza Naples Sampler
Tomatoes Apizza – Coal Oven
We’ve eaten at Supino Pizzeria – a competitor in Detroit – but just not the same – with a much more hipster air about the place.
Bigalora Wood Fire Cucina – We were told that the owners of this trendy pizza spot – go to Tomatoes APIZZA when they want pizza. So . . . I mean, there you have it.
Buddy’s – this is a Michigan chain and though good – don’t even try to compare them or we’ll have some issues. I only put it on here because some people believe this is what pizza should be – I do not.
Joe’s Pizza – NYC – meh, I do dig the history of it though and the hood.
Highline Pizza – NYC – their slices are very good – I think they are open 24/7 – so that’s a great fit for a specific NYC adventure – but a slice place is doing a very different thing.
Lombardi’s – NYC – The vibe, atmosphere, and history is spot on – getting a pizza in Little Italy is a must – but this spot because of all the is pricey and you’ll most likely have a wait to get in.
Aldo’s Pizza Pies – Memphis, TN – I liked this spot and it was good – if you’re in Memphis and in need of a pizza – thicker crust but overall flavors were good – nothing blowing my mind. The service and atmosphere was great.
Max’s Pizza – Atlanta, GA – We went to the location in Perimeter Mall – and it was good – the atmosphere was that of a mall though (go figure) – so maybe had we stopped in the one downtown we’d have a better love of it. It was ok – there was nothing phenomenal. That being said – using coal is superior to EVERYTHING else.
Stop 50 Wood Fire Pizza – Michiana Shores, Indiana (kind of between Chicago & Detroit) So, I am a sucker for a restaurant in a house – I LOVE it – it feels so cozy. This is a spot I will drive an hour out of my way for – coming to and from Chicago from Detroit. If I have the time – and have someone traveling with me – it’s a complete treat. This has everything to do with the whole experience vs the actual pizza. But very very good.
Antica Pizzeria – Niagara Falls, ON – I do really like this place – it has a cozy feel and I remember both times I happen to be in this area – NEEDING – to eat here. So that is certainly a thumbs up – but I still prefer the charcoal flavor vs wood.
575 Pizzeria – Amarillo, TX – I liked this spot ok – they had unique styles and it felt a little trendy – my husband did not – I honestly think we just thought Amarillo was a bit odd – so this got that same review. Clearly noTomatoesos APIZZA.
Lupi’s – Chattanooga TN – has a very funky vibe, eclectic atmosphere. Very college town. But traditional pizza = NOT Tomatoes APIZZA
A Dopo Sourdough Pizza – Now this place is actually pretty bonkers and a great competitor – please try it for yourself – there is usually a wait – but worth it – cool environment – open – modern – sourdough has a wonderful flavor – but something in the sauce and cheese still puts it at #2
Angel’s Trumpet – Phoenix, AZ – We had one AMAZING Pizza here ‘Tractor’ – it’s an Ale house – so the menu is vast – the atmosphere was wonderful – go – get a pizza – get something else – just go. But, of course still not our favorite and they are not a pizzeria so . . . moving on.
La Piazza PHX – Phoneix, AZ – Really good, I can’t put my finger on why it still falls short – but – not our favorite . . . honestly, don’t remember it well – so that kinda tells ya right there.
Pisa Lisa – Sedona, AZ – Beatles themed cafe – kitchy and good . . . had a fun and cozy charm – just not our favorite.
Miguel’s Pizza – Slade, KY – This is an awesome area for hiking and disconnecting – we had rented a cabin nearby and there are simply not many dining options – so a yummy pizza spot was welcome – you can sit outside on the picnic tables – really brilliant overall experience. But . . . not Tomatoes.
Best Italian – Gatlinburg – TN – the garlic knots and so MUCH FOOD – but NOT Tomatoes… We did eat these leftovers for most of our trip in Gatlinburg.
This is honestly just to name a few of the places we can remember – there have been WAY more.
And so the hunt continues…So hungry…but NOTHING still compares to Tomatoes APIZZA.
UPDATE – April 13, 2019 – We just planned a trip to Frank Pepe’s in New Haven, CT for our Anniversary in September. Tomatoes APIZZA owner, Mike Weinstein, was trained by renowned pizzaiolo Lou Abate in New Haven and brought the first coal fired pizza to Michigan – WE ARE BEYOND EXCITED!
