Pizza

[Peazoup]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

[Fredman]

Piesanos:mademyday:

[JSR22]

Piesanos ordered thin and crispy

[Stu from NYC]

Piesano is good and also Bravos

[retiredguy123]

1. Piesano's
2. Cane Garden
3. Flippers in Spanish Springs

[drbales]

Like Roberto's

[Garywt]

I have only had pizza a couple places, we like Sammy Joes, Red Sauce and Flippers brick oven. Not a fan of Bravos.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

OP, your tagline says Connecticut. So I'll express this to you as someone who knows northern pizza and who has a preference for NY/New Haven/Boston style pizza:

Avoid Flippers at all costs. It's worse than Domino's (using the above as the benchmark).

I've heard from a few northern neighbors that Paisano's is decent.
I'll add Giovanni's at Wedgewood in the same plaza as the Publix (a couple of doors down).

You won't find anything truly comparable to NYC/New Haven/Boston pizza anywhere in Florida, and most sauce here comes from a can, not from the restaurant's kitchen. They use Florida tap water to make the dough, and that's sort of like adding a forkful of half-chewed well-done filet mignon to a bowl of Kibbles and Bits and calling it gourmet dog food.

[David114]

Still looking for anything even close to Pepe’s, Colony Grill, Vittoria’s in Westerly, RI etc etc but afraid it is a lost cause. Still have not tried many here, but Paisano’s my favorite so far. Don’t find Flippers that bad if eating in

[retiredguy123]

FYI, Paisano's and Piesano's are two different restaurants. Paisano's is located in the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. area. But, there is a Piesano's in The Villages at Lake Deaton Plaza.

[John_W]

...

[noslices1]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

In order, Paisanos, Sammy Joe’s, Mallory CC (not thin crust), NYPD, Bravo, Domino’s

[dewilson58]

And there you have it............................every pizza place in TV has been named.


:MOJE_whot:

[MandoMan]

I have only had pizza a couple places, we like Sammy Joes, Red Sauce and Flippers brick oven. Not a fan of Bravos.

I ate at Red Sauce last week for the first time and ordered a pepperoni pizza. I thought it was mediocre. I’m afraid I’ve been spoiled by eating too many pizza slices in NYC. I can enjoy thin and crispy flatbread pizzas, but I didn’t think the one at Red Sauce was very good. But I’ll try again. Maybe it’s usually better.

[RICH1]

In my area (southern) I like Flipper's at Traverse Shopping Center. When I'm in the northern area, I like Sammy Joe's at Mulberry Plaza. Sammy Joe's is probably my favorite overall, but it's 11 miles from home. We've driven there just for the pizza. After reading posts from the new people who posted about their golf cart trips, you guys it looks like Sammy Joe's is 21 miles. That's about right, I'm 14 miles from Fenney.

https://cdn.usarestaurants.info/assets/uploads/b8956c2b75f623ea154c80fd55826745_-united-states-florida-sumter-county-wildwood-450767-flippers-pizzeriahtm.jpg

https://digitalmarketing.blob.core.windows.net/11945/images/items/image660870.png
Sammy Joes, and Sammy Joes has Breakfast!

[Dgammon1]

Have you tried NYPD Pizza?

[sdeikenberry]

Pizza is a very subjective product, and individual tastes vary greatly. While some ingredients taste the same on every pizza, items like crust, sauce, and sausage can make pizzas taste and feel incredibly different. Personally I think Mallory's has the best pizza inside TV (not thin crust however). Outside we like Stavros and Bellview Pizza. Also like Bravos. All four places have distinctly different pizzas. So there ya go...

[bilcon]

I have had several Piesano's take out pizzas and they are hit and miss. Some were good, and some had hardly any cheese on them. They also didn't put the toppings on near the crust. They were about 2" from the edge of the crust, which also had big bubbles on it. For the price I would much rather go to Giovanni's where you get a large (16") pizza with toppings, plenty of cheese and good crust for under $16.

"I have never made a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong."

[lorinelson13]

Napolino’s on 301 is fabulous, surprised it wasn’t mentioned.

[Barkriver]

Takis In Leesburg, but keep it a secret!

[rmd2]

My favorite is Ledo's Pizza. Opened in College Park, MD (now they have it in VA, N&S Carolina and Fl). It was hands down the best pizza anywhere! The closest one is north Tampa. I'm going to have a pizza there and bring another one home for the freezer.

[edp411@yahoo.com]

Bravo

[jammendolia]

bravo says they use Poland Springs water

[jbrown132]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

In TV I like Bravo’s, it is truly a thin crust pizza but on the expensive side. A few minutes outside TV, I like Little Joe’s on 441/27

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Have you tried NYPD Pizza?

I like NYPD.

[MickeyStevens]

Sammy Joe's thin to the edge, excellent!

[Bludot300]

You want good pizza? Go to Chicago!!! The is a place in Leesburg, however, called Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room. They have a good pie and Chicago style hot dogs. The owner is from Kankakee. All the fixins, except for the produce, come from Chicago. To me, the next best is Flippers.

[Dotneko]

Flippers in Traverse as said above - crispy thin crust with lots of topping. Piesano's was terrible - soggy and skimpy toppings.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Pizza is like Chinese food. Whatever was the style in your home town or home state is what you consider good. Everything else is terrible. They are also the same in that neither one is authentic. Pizza in the US is nothing like Pizza in Naples where it was invented. Most Americans would balk at true Italian pizza. Same for Chinese food. It's nothing like what is served in China.

Recently, I saw a documentary about pizza in the US. It was about two pizza chains that started in mid-west. One was Pizza Hut. They were hugely successful when expanding throughout the mid west, but when they opened stores in the northeast, they failed miserably.

Most Italians who emigrated to this country settled in the northeast. So when this different type of pizza came to them, they rejected it. American style pizza had been around New England, New York and New Jersey for decades, so this new mid western style was not what people were used to. Pizza Hut added a thinner crust to their menu and it helped, but where I came from it still wasn't very popular.

Then there is Greek or cafe style pizza. I lived in an area where there were two restaurants that served this style and local people raved about them. I never understood it, but they were very popular locally.

Having said all this, it's very rare that I complain about pizza or Chinese food. Even the worst of it is pretty good.

[mbmalley41]

Sorry but if you are in Lake Mary, 1000 Degrees Pizza is perfect. I went there after reading about Nothing Bundt Cake, Bakery.

[Larchap49]

Piesanos:mademyday:

Piesanos??? YUCK. We've been in the villages 8 months and just in that time the quality of their pizza has deteriorated significantly. I've crossed them off the list.

[Xlrcad2009]

Mallory Square CC

[Peazoup]

Thanks all. Looks like Piesano's leads the pack.

[Stu from NYC]

Pizza is like Chinese food. Whatever was the style in your home town or home state is what you consider good. Everything else is terrible. They are also the same in that neither one is authentic. Pizza in the US is nothing like Pizza in Naples where it was invented. Most Americans would balk at true Italian pizza. Same for Chinese food. It's nothing like what is served in China.

Recently, I saw a documentary about pizza in the US. It was about two pizza chains that started in mid-west. One was Pizza Hut. They were hugely successful when expanding throughout the mid west, but when they opened stores in the northeast, they failed miserably.

Most Italians who emigrated to this country settled in the northeast. So when this different type of pizza came to them, they rejected it. American style pizza had been around New England, New York and New Jersey for decades, so this new mid western style was not what people were used to. Pizza Hut added a thinner crust to their menu and it helped, but where I came from it still wasn't very popular.

Then there is Greek or cafe style pizza. I lived in an area where there were two restaurants that served this style and local people raved about them. I never understood it, but they were very popular locally.

Having said all this, it's very rare that I complain about pizza or Chinese food. Even the worst of it is pretty good.

We have been to Italy several times and were surprised to find out we liked American pizza from a good pizza place better than what we had in Italy.

What others told us was pizza was invented in Italy but perfected in the US.

[lawgolfer]

Flippers on Traverse Trail. Their Margherita is as close to one in Naples as you will find, and it's a lot cheaper than flying to Italy. Their trick is to brush the crust with olive oil and to use crushed tomatoes in place of a sauce. Add fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil and it is a slice of heaven.

The perfect pizza is very much an individual choice. The other recommendations, Sammy Joe's etc, all make a fine product which I have enjoyed. However, the only one that is unique is Flippers. I prefer the Flippers at Traverse over the one at Spanish Springs.

[COLTempleton]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?
Bravos

[traveler9]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?
Go next door to Leesburg and get Chicago thin crust pizza. It is wonderful and not expensive. Name is Chicago Fire Brewery.It is on Magnolia street one street over from Main.

[airstreamingypsy]

NYC girl here, I like Gio's Deli pizza best.

[JSR22]

Piesanos??? YUCK. We've been in the villages 8 months and just in that time the quality of their pizza has deteriorated significantly. I've crossed them off the list.

We order from Piesanos weekly. I think the pizza is excellent. I am having a couple of slices for breakfast as I post.

[MikeVP]

Piesanos:mademyday: I see you're a Pittsburgh fan. I'm moving up in August. Is there a STEELER - Penn State club or gathering spot for games?? Hope to meet the 'Burg Gang when I get up there from Fort Myers.

[Chitown]

I have had the pizza at most of the places being mentioned. Although I ate them because I payed for them I have not found one that I like. The best one I had was at Mallory Country Club. But that said even that doesn’t compare to the pizzas up north. Believe it or not one of the only good Pizzas other then Mallory CC that I’ve had is a frozen pizza called Home Run Inn frozen Pizza found only at Publix. It’s actually better then all the ones mentioned I’ve heard mentioned.

[Arenoh]

There are a few "OK" pizza places here but being from the Trenton, NJ area nobody makes a Tomato Pie like DiLorenzo's or PaPa's. (Thin NY style well done crust and the cheese added first before the tomato's and meat.) I have had pizza in Naples and it was Great.

[chinook234]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

being originally from the New Haven ct area...I have tried many places here in TV...so far Mallory Hill club house gets my vote

[GypsyRN]

Wait for Marco's to open next to the new Publix in Tradewinds plaza...and then compare their pizzas to any of the ones previously mentioned. We got hooked while residing in Athens Ga.

[Pairadocs]

OP, your tagline says Connecticut. So I'll express this to you as someone who knows northern pizza and who has a preference for NY/New Haven/Boston style pizza:

Avoid Flippers at all costs. It's worse than Domino's (using the above as the benchmark).

I've heard from a few northern neighbors that Paisano's is decent.
I'll add Giovanni's at Wedgewood in the same plaza as the Publix (a couple of doors down).

You won't find anything truly comparable to NYC/New Haven/Boston pizza anywhere in Florida, and most sauce here comes from a can, not from the restaurant's kitchen. They use Florida tap water to make the dough, and that's sort of like adding a forkful of half-chewed well-done filet mignon to a bowl of Kibbles and Bits and calling it gourmet dog food.

You've summed it up pretty well, but maybe should have added "in central Florida", as a native I can tell you you can get some great pizza, non chain, in south Atlantic coast Florida... but that doesn't help us much here, LOL ! Canned, sour tasting almost, sauce at all places. One or two non chains in Ocala have good pies, but 18-20 mile drive each way ? Haven't found anything in Leesburg, many rave about Belview pizza, but it was more a midwestern style in our opinion.... it's like trying to find really good Chinese, it's like looking for pot of gold at the rainbow !

[WindyCityzen]

There are no joints that compare to Chicago legends Malnati’s, Gino’s, Giordano’s, Aurlieo’s, UNO’s, and others. It’s a pizza desert here.

[John_W]

...

[PugMom]

Piesanos:mademyday:

dittos. it's the only pizza joint we use

[PugMom]

being originally from the New Haven ct area...I have tried many places here in TV...so far Mallory Hill club house gets my vote

Pepe's in New Haven!!!!!!!!!!! they're still around from what i hear

[PugMom]

You've summed it up pretty well, but maybe should have added "in central Florida", as a native I can tell you you can get some great pizza, non chain, in south Atlantic coast Florida... but that doesn't help us much here, LOL ! Canned, sour tasting almost, sauce at all places. One or two non chains in Ocala have good pies, but 18-20 mile drive each way ? Haven't found anything in Leesburg, many rave about Belview pizza, but it was more a midwestern style in our opinion.... it's like trying to find really good Chinese, it's like looking for pot of gold at the rainbow !

still looking for decent Chinese, still haven't found one, lol

[laboutj]

Pizza is like Chinese food. Whatever was the style in your home town or home state is what you consider good. Everything else is terrible. They are also the same in that neither one is authentic. Pizza in the US is nothing like Pizza in Naples where it was invented. Most Americans would balk at true Italian pizza. Same for Chinese food. It's nothing like what is served in China.

Recently, I saw a documentary about pizza in the US. It was about two pizza chains that started in mid-west. One was Pizza Hut. They were hugely successful when expanding throughout the mid west, but when they opened stores in the northeast, they failed miserably.

Most Italians who emigrated to this country settled in the northeast. So when this different type of pizza came to them, they rejected it. American style pizza had been around New England, New York and New Jersey for decades, so this new mid western style was not what people were used to. Pizza Hut added a thinner crust to their menu and it helped, but where I came from it still wasn't very popular.

Then there is Greek or cafe style pizza. I lived in an area where there were two restaurants that served this style and local people raved about them. I never understood it, but they were very popular locally.

Having said all this, it's very rare that I complain about pizza or Chinese food. Even the worst of it is pretty good.

The greek style and the south shore bar style are completely different. Bar style has the crispy edges from cooking in the pans and the greek style is very "floppy".

And to the person that said pizza in Italy is not as good in the states, I have no idea what you're thinking. Pizza in the US is overloaded with cheese and toppings. In Rome it's fresh crust, tomatoes, and proportionate toppings and you can get a great slice just about anywhere.

[Stu from NYC]

There are no joints that compare to Chicago legends Malnati’s, Gino’s, Giordano’s, Aurlieo’s, UNO’s, and others. It’s a pizza desert here.

Malnati will ship but it costs an arm and a leg and cannot imagine a pizza would travel all that well.

[whitevibe]

If in Mt. Dora, Mellow Mushroom has unique pizzas, asked several times if considering coming to the villages, hopefully?

[Veiragirl]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?


Pisano's Lake Deaton Plaza

[ladyastor1948]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

No one mentioned Napolinos on 301 in Wildwood....thought pizza pretty good...others opinions?

[Oharet]

Check out Gio's on RT 301. Close to an upstate NY pizza. Great sauce and crust.

[bioman419]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?[/QUOTE]

Has not person been to Napolino's on 301? As far as I'm concerned they rank one (especially their Sicilian Pie) and Pisano's second

[jbrown132]

No one mentioned Napolinos on 301 in Wildwood....thought pizza pretty good...others opinions?
I agree

[Worldseries27]

takis in leesburg, but keep it a secret!
pasta faire in belleview.
Great bogo pizza orders & great food. Omerta

[Quixote]

Granted it's not thin crust, but they make a "Napolino's Special" pie that is superb and that we've seen nothing like anywhere else here. Our kids have lived as far as halfway around the world, but when they're here, they want Napolino's. And they'll want to eat out only occasionally, as they say (and it's true!) that they can cook a better and healthier meal than many (most?) restaurants!

[jojo]

We like Mallory's. It's not thin crust but it's not very thick.

[bpascani]

hysterical!! BUT, probably true!!

[Garywt]

I ate at Red Sauce last week for the first time and ordered a pepperoni pizza. I thought it was mediocre. I’m afraid I’ve been spoiled by eating too many pizza slices in NYC. I can enjoy thin and crispy flatbread pizzas, but I didn’t think the one at Red Sauce was very good. But I’ll try again. Maybe it’s usually better.
It is tough coming from the Northeast. We are from Mass and the pizza here is just not as good.

[mjpuleo]

Sammy's on 301 also has a good pizza (for Florida anyway!)

[retiredguy123]

My favorite is Ledo's Pizza. Opened in College Park, MD (now they have it in VA, N&S Carolina and Fl). It was hands down the best pizza anywhere! The closest one is north Tampa. I'm going to have a pizza there and bring another one home for the freezer.
Yes, I used to go to Ledo's in College Park when I was a student at the U of MD. It's been around a long time. The pizza is square and the sauce has a slightly sweet taste. Very unique.

[shirleyjerez]

Gio’s they use bottle wAter

[shirleyjerez]

Me too I am from New Jersey

[shirleyjerez]

Gio’s they are from Italy then moved to Brooklyn. Can’t get better

[John_W]

...

[jimjamuser]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?
Real men ALWAYS eat thick-style pizza!

[Betty Wagner]

Flippers has great thin crust.

[richdell]

Piesanos and Flippers are both good.
:icon_hungry:

[Willow&Darla]

Does the pizza come on a flat bread as you mentioned thin and crispy?

[jimbomaybe]

have pity on all the poor benighted north easterners LOU MALNITI'S,, deep dish or thin

[sheena0904]

OP, your tagline says Connecticut. So I'll express this to you as someone who knows northern pizza and who has a preference for NY/New Haven/Boston style pizza:

Avoid Flippers at all costs. It's worse than Domino's (using the above as the benchmark).

I've heard from a few northern neighbors that Paisano's is decent.
I'll add Giovanni's at Wedgewood in the same plaza as the Publix (a couple of doors down).

You won't find anything truly comparable to NYC/New Haven/Boston pizza anywhere in Florida, and most sauce here comes from a can, not from the restaurant's kitchen. They use Florida tap water to make the dough, and that's sort of like adding a forkful of half-chewed well-done filet mignon to a bowl of Kibbles and Bits and calling it gourmet dog food.

New Haven is the Pizza capital of the U.S.!!!

[LianneMigiano]

We are formerly from CT and love Little Joey's in Baylee Plaza on 27/441 up near CR 42.In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

New Haven is the Pizza capital of the U.S.!!!

Yup. I grew up on Pepe's, Sally's, the Modern, the Spot, Rose Garden, Sorrento's, Luigi's, Domenic's. In grade school my neighbor Susie and I would walk from the school to Sorrento's, where Johnny was spinning the dough and his wife Irene would bring us our cokes with crushed ice, and then we'd get a small cheese pie to share. Total cost for 6 slices and 2 cokes: $2.00. Pretty steep for a couple of 9-year-old kids but it was just once a month. Old fashioned pizza joint, with red and white checked tile and a jukebox with Sweet Caroline and I Love You Baby playing in between Frank Sinatra songs.

Johnny and Irene moved back to Sorrento, and the new owners took the business across the street to expand next door to the IHOP (which is now a decent Indian restaurant).

The pizza was always burnt bubble-edged super-crispy thin-crust, with plenty of home-made sauce, a fair amount of cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, a dash of romano, a sprinkle of oregano, and a lot of love.

[024engine]

Flippers Spanish Springs

[sheena0904]

Yup. I grew up on Pepe's, Sally's, the Modern, the Spot, Rose Garden, Sorrento's, Luigi's, Domenic's. In grade school my neighbor Susie and I would walk from the school to Sorrento's, where Johnny was spinning the dough and his wife Irene would bring us our cokes with crushed ice, and then we'd get a small cheese pie to share. Total cost for 6 slices and 2 cokes: $2.00. Pretty steep for a couple of 9-year-old kids but it was just once a month. Old fashioned pizza joint, with red and white checked tile and a jukebox with Sweet Caroline and I Love You Baby playing in between Frank Sinatra songs.

Johnny and Irene moved back to Sorrento, and the new owners took the business across the street to expand next door to the IHOP (which is now a decent Indian restaurant).

The pizza was always burnt bubble-edged super-crispy thin-crust, with plenty of home-made sauce, a fair amount of cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, a dash of romano, a sprinkle of oregano, and a lot of love.

Hell yea! The best!!

[Scbang]

Have you tried NYPD Pizza?
Coming from NY, I thought their pizza was not too bad until they cheated on me with a recycled mushroom pizza which is never acceptable. I will never go there again.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

New Haven is the Pizza capital of the U.S.!!!

Nonsense. I come from Revere, MA which is an Italian majority city. In fact, Boston's North End and East Boston, (adjacent to Revere) are also Italian enclaves. They are much like Little Italy in New York City.

New Haven Pizza is good but no different than the pizza from these places.

My Grandparents were from Avellino, a few miles east of Naples. They didn't recognize the pizza we have here.

[Rent From A Villager]

Our favorite place for pizza - NYPD Pizza – The Only Official NYPD Pizza Franchise In The World (https://www.nypdpizzeria.com/)

The Villages
4046 Wedgewood Lane
The Villages, FL 32162
352-750-1994

[Aloha1]

We have been to Italy several times and were surprised to find out we liked American pizza from a good pizza place better than what we had in Italy.

What others told us was pizza was invented in Italy but perfected in the US.

All I can say is you never ate pizza at Dona Andrea in Amalfi.

[Aloha1]

You want good pizza?? Make your own. Winn Dixie has imported ltalian double zero flour and San Marzano tomatoes. Get some imported Italian EVOO and fresh mozzarella , a little salt and prosciutto. Bake and top with arugula . Add a nice Chianti Reserva and you will be in heaven.
My recipe:
Make the dough
Roll out the dough and spread EVOO across it. Sprinkle some salt over it.
Crush some San Marzano tomatoes and layer on top, slice the fresh mozzarella and layer on top. Add the slices of prosciutto and bake. when done top with some fresh arugula. Mangia!

[2newyorkers]

All I can say is you never ate pizza at Dona Andrea in Amalfi.

Do not remember the name of the restaurant we ate pizza in Amalfi but I will say OMG sooooooo good.

[drjohns]

NYPD Pizza in front of Walmart on 466

[Stu from NYC]

All I can say is you never ate pizza at Dona Andrea in Amalfi.

We had pizza in about 3-4 places in Italy, thought it was ok but would have liked more cheese.

Neighborhood pizza places in Brooklyn and Queens were the best we have found.

[lisaz]

You want good pizza?? Make your own. Winn Dixie has imported ltalian double zero flour and San Marzano tomatoes. Get some imported Italian EVOO and fresh mozzarella , a little salt and prosciutto. Bake and top with arugula . Add a nice Chianti Reserva and you will be in heaven.
My recipe:
Make the dough
Roll out the dough and spread EVOO across it. Sprinkle some salt over it.
Crush some San Marzano tomatoes and layer on top, slice the fresh mozzarella and layer on top. Add the slices of prosciutto and bake. when done top with some fresh arugula. Mangia!
Would you be kind enough to post or pm your dough recipe?

[bobdeb]

Somewhat off the subject, but has anyone tried Sicilian pizza anywhere near TV? Recommendations?

[New Englander]

Piesanos:mademyday:

:agree:

[cad1081]

which Winn Dixie did you buy the 00 flour?

[REDCART]

Somewhat off the subject, but has anyone tried Sicilian pizza anywhere near TV? Recommendations?

Bravos in Sumter Landing and Giovanni’s in Southern Trace both make Sicilian pies.

[dewilson58]

Summarizing an annual PIZZA thread:


Nearly 100 posts.
Every pizza place in TV is good.
Every pizza place in TV is bad.
NYers' identify themselves and self-label as experts. :1rotfl:


Hopefully enough for 2021.


:ho:

[PugMom]

We order from Piesanos weekly. I think the pizza is excellent. I am having a couple of slices for breakfast as I post.

it's possible they got a 'bad' chef that day, because i love them too, & will get the occasional pizza that's 'off,' meaning too much/not enough sauce, garlic od, or crust not fully cooked. recently, they've all passed muster. the pizza i love most isn't widely available here, it's the deli-kind mentioned in previous post. the part of Middletown i grew up in made it a classic-it's the only kind we ate. it was more of a sicilian style. thick doughy crust, lots of sauce & choice of cheese, but some came just sprinkled with parm. it was the sauce that made it

[Stu from NYC]

Summarizing an annual PIZZA thread:


Nearly 100 posts.
Every pizza place in TV is good.
Every pizza place in TV is bad.
NYers' identify themselves and self-label as experts. :1rotfl:


Hopefully enough for 2021.


:ho:

The best pizza comes from NY and NJ actually, so that makes us former NYers experts in how we expect a pizza to be made.

[dewilson58]

The best pizza comes from NY and NJ actually, so that makes us former NYers experts in how we expect a pizza to be made.
:1rotfl:

[J1ceasar]

You're so true, pizza from New York Jersey Connecticut etc, it's the water and a good thin crust that the pizza makers really know how to spin. I also say they make great thick crust square Sicilian, oh what I would give to have a good corner piece right now. There's one or two great places out of the villages but since none of you will get out of your bubble I'm not going to tell you where they are cuz I'm saving it for us non-villagers

[Aloha1]

Would you be kind enough to post or pm your dough recipe?

Be happy to but traveling right now. will post back by Friday!

[Aloha1]

which Winn Dixie did you buy the 00 flour?

Pinellas Plaza

[Aloha1]

OK, had a couple minutes so here's my dough recipe:
1/2 package active yeast ( about 3/4 teaspoon)
2-2 1/2 cups double zero flour ( or bread flour if you can't find 00)
3/4 cup warm water -NOT HOT
1 tablespoon honey
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons EVOO ( extra virgin olive oil, preferably from Italia)

Sprinkle yeast over the water in bowl. Add the honey and whisk. Let rest for 5 minutes. Oil the mixing bowl of your mixer and put on the dough hook. Put the flour and salt in the mixer bowl and turn the mixer on at very low speed. Slowly pour in the water and yeast mixer and continue to beat until the dough is well mixed. Increase the speed slightly and add the olive oil. Beat at medium speed for about 4-5 minutes until dough looks smooth and gather into a ball. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let rise for about 40-45 minutes in a warm place. Place on a lightly floured surface and divide dough by 4 and kneed into balls. Roll out to the desired thickness ( flour the dough)and follow my recipe posted above for topping. Bake at 450 until done.

[Stu from NYC]

OK, had a couple minutes so here's my dough recipe:
1/2 package active yeast ( about 3/4 teaspoon)
2-2 1/2 cups double zero flour ( or bread flour if you can't find 00)
3/4 cup warm water -NOT HOT
1 tablespoon honey
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons EVOO ( extra virgin olive oil, preferably from Italia)

Sprinkle yeast over the water in bowl. Add the honey and whisk. Let rest for 5 minutes. Oil the mixing bowl of your mixer and put on the dough hook. Put the flour and salt in the mixer bowl and turn the mixer on at very low speed. Slowly pour in the water and yeast mixer and continue to beat until the dough is well mixed. Increase the speed slightly and add the olive oil. Beat at medium speed for about 4-5 minutes until dough looks smooth and gather into a ball. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and let rise for about 40-45 minutes in a warm place. Place on a lightly floured surface and divide dough by 4 and kneed into balls. Roll out to the desired thickness ( flour the dough)and follow my recipe posted above for topping. Bake at 450 until done.

We use a similar recipe to make bread but one difference.

Add sugar to yeast and water mixture and let stand for a few minutes to activate the yeast, we call this poofing. Wondering if there is a difference between using sugar and honey?

[Catalina36]

I come from Long island, many pizza places to choose from. Not all pizza places are great. The problem is it depends on the tomato sauce, the cheese and who you talk to. Some people like their pizza thick, thin, a lot of cheese, not so much cheese. Recently I tried NYPD pizza by Wedgewood lane. All that I can say is YUCK. It was the thinnest pizza dough I ever had and the tomato sauce had no flavor. To have the NY in their name is very deceiving. I recently ate at Franchesca's Italian restaurant on 441 2 x's. The dinner's were absolutely the best. The tomato sauce was the tastiest I ever had. They use San Marzano tomato's. A big WOW. Sorry I got carried away. Getting back to the PIZZA. I saw other customers ordering the pizza. The pizza looked absolutely GREAT. A nice crust, not to thick and with the San Marzano tomato sauce this pizza has to be the BEST. On my next visit to Franchesca's I will be ordering the PIZZA.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The best pizza comes from NY and NJ actually, so that makes us former NYers experts in how we expect a pizza to be made.

And New Haven, CT. We New Haveners love NY and NJ apizza too, and the apizza from the North End in Boston as well. The whole region is chock full of awsome pizzerias. It is why we are so passionate about the subject. We go from the lush expanse of pizza heaven to a flat landscape of overpeppered canned sauce, silica-infused dry mozz, and nary a single bubble crust in the bunch.

[Ben Franklin]

1. Piesano's.
2. Roberto's Ristorante & Pizzeria.
3. Sammy's Italian Restaurant on 301.

[John_W]

...

[golfing eagles]

Summarizing an annual PIZZA thread:


Nearly 100 posts.
Every pizza place in TV is good.
Every pizza place in TV is bad.
NYers' identify themselves and self-label as experts. :1rotfl:


Hopefully enough for 2021.


:ho:

NYers ARE the definitive pizza experts!!!

[dewilson58]

NYers ARE the definitive pizza experts!!!
& not jus pizza. :clap2:

[Ben Franklin]

Before opening Roberto's in Pinellas Plaza he worked many years for is brother at Giovanni's. So there is similar pizza at Giovanni's at Southern Trace and Gio's his newer location on 301 next to the Oxford Post Office. I actually like Giovanni's a little better.

My favorite is thin pizza, and Sammy Joe's at Mulberry Plaza as far north as you can go in TV, just off Buena Vista just before 42 to your right is Mulberry Rec Center, Mulberry Shopping Center and the VA Medical Center. Everytime I have to go the VA, I stop at Sammy Joe's, even though I live on the southside that's how I found them.

Sammy Joe's is probably the smallest, most plainest place you'll find, but the food is good. The lady owner use to own Sonrise at Southern Trace until Darrell made her an offer she couldn't refuse. Also if you don't have a big appetite for a whole pizza, they have lunch specials of a slice, salad and drink, or slice and beer, etc.


I was at Giovanni's twice, and both times we almost sat on other people's laps, much like Roberto's. Their pizza was good and they made my top 5, but for take out only. And, I've been to Gios for lunch a couple of times, but didn't have pizza.

The Sammy's I am talking about is on 301 west side, between the 466's.
Sammy's Italian (https://www.facebook.com/sammysitalian/)

Mangia Beve

[Stu from NYC]

I was at Giovanni's twice, and both times we almost sat on other people's laps, much like Roberto's. Their pizza was good and they made my top 5, but for take out only. And, I've been to Gios for lunch a couple of times, but didn't have pizza.

The Sammy's I am talking about is on 301 west side, between the 466's.
Sammy's Italian (https://www.facebook.com/sammysitalian/)

Mangia Beve

Like Sammy good pizza and calzones. Last time wife ordered chicken parm and was good but small portion.

We will go back

[Aloha1]

We use a similar recipe to make bread but one difference.

Add sugar to yeast and water mixture and let stand for a few minutes to activate the yeast, we call this poofing. Wondering if there is a difference between using sugar and honey?

I think the difference would that honey is natural while sugar is refined.

[John_W]

...

[Stu from NYC]

I think the difference would that honey is natural while sugar is refined.

Since most bread products are made using sugar to feed the yeast wondering if that is because sugar is cheaper or perhaps allows the yeast to give a better rise to the dough?

[Aloha1]

Since most bread products are made using sugar to feed the yeast wondering if that is because sugar is cheaper or perhaps allows the yeast to give a better rise to the dough?

Both create the byproducts of alcohol and carbon dioxide that give the bread it's flavor. Use less honey in a recipe that calls for sugar and a little less liquid since honey is sweeter and a liquid. Sugar is definitely cheaper on average than honey.

[Mrprez]

Arguing with a NYer about best pizza is like wrestling a pig in the mud. After awhile you realize the pig enjoys wrestling in the mud. Myself, I prefer a flat pizza a la NY style. Don’t much care for Chicago style as there is too much crust. Our favorite pizza is Mellow Mushroom. Mighty Meaty. Closest one is in Mt. Dora.

[laboutj]

1. Piesano's.
2. Roberto's Ristorante & Pizzeria.
3. Sammy's Italian Restaurant on 301.

Had Roberto's last week and was definitely underwhelmed. Soggy crust and you had to eat it with a fork because you couldn't pick it up to take a bite without it folding over and losing toppings.

Had friends visiting this week and ordered a couple of pies from Piesano's, they raved about how good it was.

Have not tried Sammy's.

[Ben Franklin]

Sitting on laps? Everytime I've gone, which in ten years is somewhere more than fifty times we've been seated in a booth to ourselves, we always go at lunch. I can't speak about dinner, but lunch you might wait 5 minutes, or go after 1:15 and get seated right away.

Sammy's on 301 wasn't commenting on, that's why I only highlighted Roberto's. I have eaten at Sammys, but only one time, didn't care for it. You would do better going across the street to Napolino's, they have excellent pizza, been there a few times, even under their old name Sons of Napoli. It's right next to Lucky U Cycles.

The Sammy Joe's was a new recommendation since it's my favorite of all favorite pizza in TV. It's is as far north in TV as you can go, it's in Mulberry Plaza just off Buena Vista.

https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/164625369_1895752593922597_2248714269112253974_o.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=PFDlKRtjzhwAX_hBTLa&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=a7d8d5f097e61a18430910658f23f664&oe=60818EE2

Thanks for the tip. We will have to try Napolino's.

[Joepearson55804@gmail.com]

Sammy's Italian has the best thin crust pepperoni in the area! Just had one, and loved it.

[bobdeb]

I've never had a pizza in NYC. But my NJ neighbor up in Maine raves about it, ad nauseam. NY pizza... NY pizza...

But I have had a hot dog at Nathan's in Coney Island. Eh? What's the big deal?

[retiredguy123]

So far, my favorite is Piesano's ultra thin. But, I don't know why they call it ultra thin. It's just a thin crust pizza.

[jclrxman]

When they first opened it was okay, Now its horrible

[JSR22]

My husband I really like Piesano's thin and crispy pizza. We order pizza from there weekly.

[Aces4]

We use a similar recipe to make bread but one difference.

Add sugar to yeast and water mixture and let stand for a few minutes to activate the yeast, we call this poofing. Wondering if there is a difference between using sugar and honey?


You can call it “poofing” but it’s actually known as “proofing”.:icon_wink:

[Aces4]

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best thin crust pizza in The Villages?


We didn’t find excellent pizza in TV but we would take a run to Belleview Pizza when we wanted a good pie.

[Stu from NYC]

You can call it “poofing” but it’s actually known as “proofing”.:icon_wink:

In Roanoke Va where we lived for 30 years before moving here everyone called it Poofing.

Or in other words you call it tomatoo I call it tomato.:a040:

[Aces4]

In Roanoke Va where we lived for 30 years before moving here everyone called it Poofing.

Or in other words you call it tomatoo I call it tomato.:a040:

Lol, got it! It almost sounded like a takeoff on huffing so it sounded an alarm for me.:wave:

[giorgio1948]

Have you tried Domino's Thin Crust?

[Lauranap]

Omg. DeLorenzo tomato pie out of this world great!