So, Atlanta Doesn’t Do Slices— Got It.
Hey Atlanta! So I did a thing:
Earlier this week I had a huge pizza craving. I’m at the point in my pregnancy where heartburn is near and it’s time for me to enjoy all of my red sauce favorites before it’s too late. I posted on my Things To Do In Atlanta instagram and asked my cousins to tell me their favorite Atlanta Pizzerias. The cousins delivered.
I received about 40 submissions and started searching Instagram and Tik Tok. Some of the places, I’d already been to like Slim & Husky’s and of course Felini’s. Some of the places, I had passed by once or twice such as Humble Pie and Antico, but most of the recommendations I had never even heard of. I decided immediately: I want to go to them all!
Now, let’s be forreal: even 20 pizzerias in a day is a bit nuts, but I decided to choose three at random and add the rest to my calendar to check out throughout the rest of the year. I figured three slices would be a piece of cake! (Or pizza. You get it.)
My first stop was North Italia. I went to the one in Dunwoody to make my route a little easier. Once I pulled up, I immediately wished I had put on a little lipstick and a lash. Very cute eatery! To be honest, I saw all kinds of attire and everyone from families to friends and singles, but no matter the vibe of the guests, the restaurant was so chic and beautifully assembled. I could see a fun first date or the start to a girl’s night just as easily as a family outing before heading to the mall which was less than 5 minutes away.
I ordered the Spicy Meatball pizza for $20. They offer takeout, dine-in and bar seating. I decided to sit at the bar. My wait was about 20 minutes and it was worth every second. The pizza I chose was a bit spicy, but the house ricotta and mozzarella on top balanced it out perfectly. My first bite was a satisfying mouthful of juicy sauce, melty cheese and spice galore! I wanted to eat the whole pie right there, but didn’t want to get full before heading to the other two pizzerias.
Many of the options included pork, which was tough for me since I try to avoid it as much as I can, but they were very willing to make customizations as needed. I also wanted to try the Strozzapretti pasta, a creamy chicken and mushroom pasta with herb roasted chicken and Parmesan, but I decided to stick to the task and focus on pizza. Needless to say, I will definitely be back.
Next, I headed to Sunnyside Pizzeria in Sandy Springs. It was inside of a really cute plaza with a ton of other cool spots. The bright lighting, open space and cheerful decorations gave me so much joy. What didn’t is the prices. Does anyone do slices anymore? If I’m being honest, the casual dining with the same prices as a more upscale pizzeria really threw me off. The set up gave “Can I do a slice?” Don’t get me wrong, it was pretty, but it didn’t give me “let’s order a bottle” vibes. I ordered the Honey Hot Char with chicken instead of pepperoni for $17. I opened up my box of pizza and the smell of an overly ripe hot sauce let me know this wouldn’t end well. I continued to stick it out, optimistic that maybe it was just my pregnancy hormones throwing me off with the scent. I typically love honey hot flavored things.
Before I could fully remove one of my four slices of pizza, all of the cheese and toppings sloshed off. For the sake of the review, I scooped my cheese and toppings back on to the slice and took a folded bite. My crust was burned and there wasn’t even a scoop of spice. The pizza was almost flavorless with an unnecessary assortment of toppings. I’m not sure why the cousins hate me, but at least 5 of them recommended this place. I will never be back.
The third spot I visited was definitely the charm. The dreamy Emmy Squared Pizzeria located in West Midtown, was so beautifully lit after 7 pm and provided a downtown New York aesthetic. Paired with lush plants all in the right place and cozy country sounds playing as you walked through the entrance, I suddenly felt optimistic again. Now, the cousins recommended the Vodka pizza so I did as I was told. This pizza ran me $17 for a pie and at this point I realized slices were not in the room with Atlanta.
While I waited by the bar, I thought of other things this restaurant reminded me of with its brick wall interior and black steel fixtures. My first thought was “Friends”. This gave me a very Chandler and the gang kind of feeling. A calm place for a cold glass of wine and a hot slice of pizza. Before I could continue daydreaming, my pizza was here. Super quick service!
This pizza restored my faith in the cousins. A good crust is so hard to find. Emmy Squared Pizzeria nailed it! The crust was thick, but not too thick. It was toasty and buttery which was perfect for the amount of sauce they paired it with. This pizza’s flavors really spoke for themselves and the vodka sauce was about everything they said it was about. Also, I’m not sure what it is about a square cut pizza, but it adds to my enjoyment.
All in all, I’ve gathered the following understandings about pizza restaurants in Atlanta:
Don’t expect slices. While there are a few traditional pizza spots like Fellini’s and Johnny’s New York Pizzeria, many of the pizza restaurants that offer in-house dining do not offer slices.
Ask the server for their favorite. If they say they don’t really eat the pizza here or they say, “I mean everything is pretty good,” leave.
Come as you are, no matter the vibe. I’ve noticed that no matter how fancy the pizzerias decorate themselves here, they’re happy to cater to all pizza lovers whether you come in a hoodie or in heels.
Until next time, Atlanta. Happy Pizza-ing!
