Trifter

Before you say “Hey, who are you to judge?” I’ve eaten at every pizza joint in Gainesville.  I’ve worked in three.  I can recite you the ingredients in the dough, sauce, and what types of cheese they all use.  I can tell you the temperature settings of their ovens.  I can probably tell you which pizza joints you should not eat at based on ethical reasons alone, but that’s getting too personal.  I can even tell you the cultural differences between pizzas made in the East compared to the West.

I’ll start with my top five pizza joints in Gainesville.  This is based on pizza, and pizza alone.

1. Napolitano’s
2. Leonardo’s Pizza @ University and 13th
3. I <3 NY Pizza @ 23rd Ave
4. Satchel’s
5. Hungry Howie’s Pizza

Now, the explanations. 

Napolitano’s is top quality, great portions, wonderful pricing for a sit-in classy restaurant (and bar!), and has the best calzone you will find in Gainesville.  You can’t compete with it.  Order the calzone if you want something unbeatable, or enjoy the pies, which are always cooked right, always top quality ingredients, and always enjoyable in their diverse relaxed to excited environment.  Quality live bands sometimes, too.

Leonardo’s Pizza (University Ave and 13th) gets a good second, and arguably deserves a first in a whole different category.  This pizza is arguably closer to fast food, as it is prepared in minutes, you stand in line to order, but you enjoy what is unquestionably amazing pizza for the type of environment it provides.   You can get table service, but most patrons enjoy just ordering at the counter by the slice.  And the crowds, crew, and environment are always family friendly and non-offensive.

I <3 NY Pizza (on 23rd Ave).  For a chain restaurant name, this is probably, or even undoubtably, the best.  A huge selection of pies.  Talk about calories.  If you want a heart attack in an hour, this is the place to go.  Some people want it stacked 10 inches thick.  I personally like a little bit more than just cheese, but I’m no stickler here, I love the cheese.  It’s a love/hate relationship.  Definitely worth checking out.  Making a habit of it? That’s asking to gain weight.

Satchel’s.  Now many people argue it is the greatest pizza around town.  I argue that while all the options are tasty, they are bittersweet at sometimes over 20 dollars a pie.  And the seating waits.  And the noise.  And then the place is attached to a ‘junk store’ that really just sells small toys.  I guess that’s junk.   But the pizza is good.  I just couldn’t really sit down and enjoy it.  Or afford it.  Great bumper stickers, though.  I almost did not list Satchel’s at all due to personal bias formed around the environmental crap I was forced to sit through (I’m seated, but I can’t get served? What?  And what is this horrible music?) before I was formerly seated to be served.  But I’m supposed to be judging everything on purely the pie, right?

Hungry Howie’s Pizza.  Now many of you are wondering where all the other Pizza joints are, even the ‘better’ chains.  Honestly, their is a good close tie between Howie’s and Papa John’s, but Howie’s takes the cake (or in this case, pie) in my book.  Call it personal preference, or call it a secret love for their flavored crust…that part I used to throw away until I discovered Howie’s.  Now I just wish everyone was as awesome as Howie’s was about the crust.  No, I don’t want a plastic container full of MSG or corn syrup to dip in, I want Howie’s!

Honorable mention:  FIVE STAR PIZZA.  BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER.  They do have fresh cheese, which is a plus over Hungry Howie’s frozen grated cheeses.  And you know what else?  It’s the only pizza your getting if it is  3 AM, unless your interested in the dumpster behind Leo’s.  And yes, it will get their faster than anyone else inside Gainesville.