by Carrie Havranek
When I first moved here, ten years ago, I lamented the dearth of good pizza. Now, I know that pizza, as a rule, is highly subjective, so let me tell you my criteria for “good pizza” before I even get to the list.
1. It is not greasy.
2. It has a thin crust; more specifically, if you hold it horizontally, it stays stiff and straight as a board.
3. The sauce is not too sweet and tastes freshly prepared.
4. The cheese is distributed evenly and does not drip with grease (see number 1) or weigh down the crust (see number 2).
5. If all of those things align, it tastes delicious.
I grew up with parents who obsessively, compulsively sought out the best pizza and always asked for “thin crust!” My grandfather took it a step further when he retired and moved from North Jersey to Myrtle Beach. Because he was a funny, ingratiating man, he somehow got all the people who work at the very excellent Michael’s Pizza in Myrtle Beach to make what the cooks called “taco pizza” it was so thin. The folks at Michael’s were cool with it; they’re from New York, so their pizza is pretty damn good to begin with, for pizza south of the border. But I digress….
I am willing to concede that different pizzas taste good, and taste right, for different occasions. There’s something singular about the experience of sinking into a slice of Chicago’s deep dish pizza, for example. I am a minimalist at heart, but I will concede that I enjoy white pizza, any kind of veg on pizza, but think that some toppings on pizzas should be banned and are kind of gross: chicken parm pizza? Buffalo chicken on pizza? Why ruin pizza with chicken parm? Eat it separately. I love making pizza, and think I’ve finally, after lots of trial and error, got a procedure down pat that’s involved but effective in terms of browning the thin crust all the way around. You see, for me the gold standard is New York City pizza. You’ve gotta be able to accomplish 1-5 on my list of criteria because pizza is, above all, a portable piece of deliciousness.
With this week’s list, I’m doing something a little different: I’m going to leave the fifth one blank. There are others I could add, but we want to hear from you: I know you’re reading. Googlemetrics don’t lie. And so when enough of you chime in and we have something resembling a consensus, I’ll add it to the list.
1. Stefano’s, Bethlehem. Consistently excellent. Consistently thin. Wish it wasn’t so far for take-out, which is more often than not how we eat pizza around here. The rest of the restaurant’s menu is excellent, too, including the table-side preparation of fresh, fresh, Caesar salad. But back to pizza. The other part I like about Stefano’s pizza is the fact they use REAL mushrooms, not canned ones, which taste like rubber.
2. Colonial Pizza and Spaghetti House, Easton. Home of the upside down pie–I like to call it the inside-out pie–Colonial’s pizzas are one size, a little smaller than average, but incredibly fresh. You have to be in the mood for it, but the soft, pliable crust, the thin, expertly applied layer of cheese, followed by the fresh sauce on top is something to behold. It’s not pizza by New York standards, but as a regional specialty, it is delicious.
3. Matey’s Famous “Our Own Make” Pizza, Fountain Hill: Another signature Lehigh Valley experience. It’s very thin, the cheese tends to be browned, but it’s very much beloved. The decor of the place is wood-paneled (at least the last time I was there–a long time ago), and to say it’s casual would be an understatement. Matey’s also makes a mean cheesesteak. But that’s another list for another day.
4. Sette Luna, Easton. Ok, I know there are two Easton places on the list, but they are so very, very different. The trattoria prepares gourmet, thin, well seasoned pizzas in a wood-fired oven. The creations are authentic insofar as they resonate of something legitimately Italian. I love the standby–Margherita–with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
5. Your choice here!
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65 Responses
Where is your favorite place to get a slice?
Joe’s Pizza on Northampton Street!
Thanks, Rohnda! I also really, really like Joe’s Pizza. It is a little greasy, but I kinda like that!
Hard to go wrong with Lorenzo’s in Fountain Hill and Armetta’s in Emmaus
I like the Sicilian at Pizza D’Oro and the pesto pizza at Antonio’s in the 25th street shopping center.
I LOVE Sal’s on Southside Bethlehem. It’s not greasy but it won’t pass your thin crust test.
Also, we always buy Matey’s frozen pizza. It’s hard to find frozen pizza without a lot of bad ingredients (like High Fructose Corn Syrup) and their ingredient list is short and simple. Plus they are local and the pizza is yummy
Westage Pizza and Sicilian @ Steve’s
We love Antonio’s on South Third in Easton. It’s everything pizza should be and the staff is the nicest around! Try it with onions on top – a nice, sweet surprise!
Wow, thanks everyone! These comments are great… keep ‘em coming! Whoever has the most mentions will get added to the list!
Antonio’s on 3rd St. across from the police station. A little unassuming … small storefront, but BIG taste.
I like Nicolosi’s in Phillipsburg…I know it’s not ‘technically’ the LV, but close enough!
Your Comments Lehigh Pizza on W. 3rd Street in Bethlehem..Thin Crust, great sauce and lots of cheese.
Thanks, everyone! Jenn, I actually do consider Phillipsburg to be part of the LV. It is included in my pocket guide to Easton. I like Nicolosi’s, too. @Rich… Lehigh Pizza is a classic! And @Feaston… you’re votes are very appreciated… you guys have great taste!
Pizza makes people talk! Ha! P-burg is, demographically speaking, part of the LV, so it’s legit. I like Italy pizza in P-burg, and ate a bit of Lehigh Pizza when I used to visit my boys in the hospital before they came home. Also, I like Nick’s pizza in Bethlehem, too…..
Nicolosis, in Pburg has the closest to NYC pizza around here. Colonial, in Easton is good too.
George’s Pizza in Wilson has the best pizza ever. I am not a “pizza lover” but I do occasionally get a craving for pizza. George’s has the best sicilian in the Valley!!!!! I will never turn down a slice of their pizza. Their regular pizza is really good too. Great place to go for a slice!!!
Louie’s, Vesuvio’s, Palumbo’s or Penn Pizza in Allentown are all delicious — I could keep on listing. Louie’s isn’t New York style but so uniquely yummy and the atmosphere for eat-in is great!
Penn Pizza on 554 North New Street in Bethlehem!! Good quality pizza for many years…
Joe’s Pizza, 12th and Northampton street, Easton. I always ask for it ‘well done’ and it is always PERFECT!
Sicily II in Forks Township is phenomenal!
Adriana’s in Forks and Nazareth – get the everything pie.
Your Comments – Nicholosi’s in Phillipsburg !!!!
I love George’s in Wilson! Great pizza, and very inviting atmosphere.
Sicily, hands down!
My grandma always used to say “well done” and places would burn the cheese. What do you mean when you ask for “well done,” Jeannine?
#1 for me is Steve’s Pizza in Palmer. Close #2 is Nicholosi’s in P’burg!
Pino’s on southside Easton for their Sicilian pizza
Mivajo’s in Nazareth for their Neopolitan
Sal’s In Wind Gap in the Country Junction mall! Delish. Cheap Price Quality ingredients. Staff is super nice and he (Sal) Goes over to Itally once a year to bring back something different
Steve’s Pizza on Wm Penn Highway now said to have moved to Wilson , If it’s the same Steve I never had any better Sicilian !!
The best pizza in Easton is at Pizza D’Oro at times a little greasy I will admit but that maybe that we almost always have it as take out.
I hear ya, Linda. It all depends on who is making it! Sometimes it’s better than others. My issue with D’oro is inconsistency.
WAIT a minuite…has no one really voted for Salvatore’s in Forks…hands down the best eva!
Sicily in Nazareth…bar none! I agree Stefano’s is excellent, but would be #2 on my list.
Parma Pizza
3100 West Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA 18104
610-439-6940
Also, while not a pizza place, I *love* the buffalo chicken pizza that they have in the Steelgaarden Lounge at the Bethlehem Brew Works.
Salvitore’s Pizza in Forks Township.
Morici’s, Catanzaretti’s, Nicolosi’s, Colonial, Steve’s and right out of my own oven. Never had a piece of pizza I didn’t like (except fast food delivery pizza). Damn, now I want a piece!
Palace. Pizza in Whitehall for sicilian and MivaJo’s in nazareth for regular.
while Colonial will always be my #1, PENN PIZZA on north new in bethlehem is my favorite “non-upside-down” pizza…. italians that moved to the area drive there from hellertown after i introduced them!?!
Your Comments
Steve’s Pizza in Palmer – delish!!!
and after exhaustively reading the list of pizza joints…. it seems that some sort of pizza-off may be needed…. about half of them i’ve tried… but i have no idea how i missed joe’s in easton for instance having grown up on 16h street. i HAVE tried nicks in bethlehem (on main) as well as steves in palmer, just off the bike path and freemansburg ave…. BOTH of those struck me as making the overly sweet tasting pizza….. ummmm…. this could become a “holy war”…..
Your Comments Nicolosi’s in Forks or P’burg, Pizza Joe’s in Nazareth
Your Comments – Morici’s is the Best Sicilian, Sette Luna ties with Carrabbas for the Best thin crust, & Steve’s regular pizza is the best.
My vote has to go to Steve’s Sicilian Pizza (1005 South Greenwood Avenue, Easton).
It is simply scrumptious!
Armetta’s in Emmaus—especially their bruschetta pizza. Mmmmm…
Your Comments
Is the Colonial still open??? We used to go there for lunch during finals when I was at Wolf Junior High!! That was too many years ago to count!! Great and memorable pizza!!
Also Nicolosi, in P’burg!
Morici’s and Steve’s Pizza
Joe’s in Easton…..Been eating it forever…….
Without a doubt, I could so go for a slice of Steve’s Pizza! I also enjoyed Feast a Pizza, by the airport. I’m not sure which side of the Bethlehem/Catasaqua line it was on.
Westgate Pizza is the best, followed by Lehigh…….but my vote is Westgate
Your Comments La Bella’s in Wilson or Alpha Subs in Alpha N.J
George’s
For fresh pie, my vote goes to Pizza Chef on Wm. Penn Highway. They have a good selection of gourmet pies with many topping options and a low fat pizza that is very good!
For celiac patients like my wife, Giacomo’s on the Hill (www.giacomosmarket.com) has take-home frozen gluten free pizza. I won’t kid you, not as good as fresh, but if you have gluten/wheat/flour allergies, its a good option.
PINO’S!
Matey’s Crossroads because of the texture (crispy/crunchy) and the cheese (browned, chewy and flavor-rich!) …it could skip the sauce and I’d still be happy cuz “two out of three ain’t bad”…but it is a nice addition nonetheless and makes it #1 in my book! Wish it was closer to Emmaus! (Here, however, we can be happy with Armetta’s, Vito’s and Fat Freddie’s…but if we’re traveling, yep, it’s Matey’s!)
Have to give a shout out for Pizza Joe’s in Nazareth owned by Easton native Jerry Bubba!
Your Comments
MAMAs Pizza on Old Post Rd. in Coplay Best food ( pizza, dinners, etc. ) have to try it!!
Joe’s Pizza in Nazareth has the best sicilian, sorry Steve’s fans…
And the best regular pie is a tie….Victory Pizza in Bethlehem and Apollo Pizza in Easton.
Giorgio’s Italian delite. Beats George’s and anybody else in the area. Fresh bread homemade meatballs. Fish to die for. Growing up with pizza in Brooklyn this is ad cower as it gets.
Apollo at 9th and Washington is awesome! And Gino’s (Northampton Street) Buffalo Chicken pizza is a great specialty pie!
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