National Pizza Month gives every college student an opportunity to commemorate that special staple of our diet that we will never quite get sick of. Pizza is delicious, inexpensive, versatile and, in many cases, available late at night with delivery for all-nighter study breaks and late-night cravings. Many restaurants claim that they’ve concocted the perfect recipe for these addicting, cheesy Italian pies, but the beauty of pizza is that regardless of if it’s deep dish, thin crust, coal-fired, customized or gluten-free, each slice is still a beautiful slice of heaven. If you’re interested in celebrating this very special month, but you don’t know where to get started, The Current staff curated a list of restaurants that reserve a very special pizza our hearts.
Li Cohen, co-editor-in-chief, said Blaze Pizza
Well, it’s no New York slice, but Blaze can have my heart any day. The Chipotle of the pizza world, Blaze can satisfy anyone’s pizza cravings. They have the option to pick a specialty or build-your-own pizza, and, honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that, especially with the low cost. My personal favorite is the beautiful Art Lover Creation. With artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta and garlic, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
Nicole Cocuy, co-editor-in-chief, said Coley’s Pizza
I’ve eaten pizza as I strolled past the Trevi Fountain in Rome, admired the performances of street performances in Florence, watched gondolas paddle through canals in Venice and embraced the hustle and bustle of New York. Turns out, the best pizza place is right here in South Florida. While Coley’s pizza is certainly a lot more Americanized than other small, lesser known pizza places in the area, where else can you get fried chicken strips, curly fries and scrambled eggs on a pizza? Their signature pizzas are so unhealthy but so delicious and worth every calorie-filled bite. Plus, their head chef Nicole Herzlich is an awesome, tattooed trailblazer in a male-dominated field who made a name for herself as a woman in the pizza-making industry. The overall ambience of the restaurant matches her spunky attitude with urban, graffiti-esque wall décor and ceiling art painted by fans and regular customers. Best part? They deliver.
Jazmyn Brown, copy editor, said Pizza Hut
My earliest memories of pizza-eating are set in Pizza Hut. In elementary school, I remember being regularly rewarded with coupons for free personal pan pizzas after completing a certain number of reading quizzes. From the gooey and perfectly melted mozzarella cheese, to the mild spice of the Hut’s special tomato sauce, to the buttery, crisp crust (which everyone should eat because if you don’t, you better run; natural selection is coming for you), Pizza Hut owns my pie-loving soul. I recently got a large, extra-cheese, garlicky crust pizza drizzled in barbeque sauce, and I think I tasted a slice ― eight slices, to be exact ― of heaven.
Carli Lutz, chief of visual design, said Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza is a gift sent from the high heavens. You can get a personal pizza with the most beautiful, flaky crust topped with as many toppings as you want, and all that is standing between you and your pizza is 180 seconds. My usual pizza is made with white sauce and topped with chicken, spinach, artichokes, mushrooms, roasted garlic, oregano and ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. I will plan all my future moves around the locations of Blaze Pizza franchises.
Roddia Paul, features editor, said Tony’s Pizza
Most people won’t admit that they have an addiction, but I can truthfully say I’m not like most people. I will faithfully drive a 45-minute route to my favorite pizza place in Miami the second I have a craving. I don’t know what’s better, the homemade, true Italian aroma of the pizza, the mouth-watering eggplant parmesan or the welcoming personality of the owner. Either way, I’m hooked like a fish. If you ever catch me eating pizza, there’s no doubt that I got it from Tony’s.
Destinee Hughes, arts and entertainment editor, said Pines Blvd Pizza & Wings Parlor
I was literally the first customer at this place, and I will probably be the last. I stumbled upon the pizza shop with my best friend one day, and ever since, it’s been our go-to pizza spot. Whether it’s the pizza, wings, pasta or garlic rolls, Pines Pizza & Wings always has me coming back for more. It’s hard to pick only one item on the menu because everything is so good. But if I were in a life-or-death situation where someone was forcing me to choose my favorite dish, I would without a doubt go for their wings. The honey garlic wings are the sole reason I’m their number-one customer. I won’t go into much detail about how appetizing these wings are, but just know that when I say these wings are my favorite dish, I really mean it’s the only dish that would provoke me to cause physical bodily harm to someone if they tried to take a piece.
Faren Rajkumar, opinions editor, said Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
Pizza is best when you can taste the flavor of the brick oven that baked it. That’s why Anthony’s Coal Fired pizza is my favorite ― the bottom of every crust is a thick layer of crispy charcoal goodness, and of course, the top is covered in rich tomato sauce and gooey cheese. Anthony’s best pizza is their eggplant pie because of the thin slices of fried eggplant, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil. It’s hearty and has the perfect balance of crunchy, flaky, rich, savory and delicious.
Erin Herbert, sports editor, said Little Italian Pizza
If you love flaky, thin crust pizza with perfectly melted cheese, and hearty toppings, then look no further than Little Italian Pizza. This traditional Italian pizza joint is one of Pompano Beach’s hidden gems. Whether you try the Chicken Parmigiana pizza or the Philly Cheese Steak pizza, there’s no way you can leave this place dissatisfied ¾ or hungry. Pair up your pizza with an order of their famous garlic rolls, and you’ll know why all the locals are skipping out on Pizza Hut or Papa John’s and heading straight to Little Italian Pizza.
Jenna Kopec, contributing writer of the week, said Rocco’s Pizza
Every time I am at the beach, this is my favorite place to go. It’s located on Hollywood Beach right by the stage, so you can usually get your pizza and listen to music, too. Not only is it inexpensive, but the food is also quality ― the pizza is the size of the plate. It’s definitely not to be confused with a big-name chain. I always just go with a simple slice of cheese, but, to be honest, I’ve never heard a complaint about anything on the menu.
Blaze Pizza – 954-835-5848
2135 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33324
Open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*Coley’s Pizza – 954-433-4477
18381 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029
Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*Pizza Hut – 954-474-8844
2901 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328
Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Tony’s Pizza – 305-654-9113
19329 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169
Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Pines Blvd Pizza & Wings Parlor – 954-589-0602
6472 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33024
Open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza – 954-474-3311
512 N Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324
Open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Little Italian Pizza – 954-941-0550
448 S Cypress Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Rocco’s Pizza – 954-926-3305
205 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33019
Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*Indicates delivery is available
