Alabamaâs best pizza: Readers tell us what we got wrong
AL.com threw down the doughy gauntlet this week naming our favorite pizza in Alabama, including our top 10 in the entire state. But while some readers agreed with our picks, they say we left out some of the best this state has to offer in wood-fired oven
So you heard us yap about our favorites — now it’s your turn. We asked you to share the best pizzerias up and down the Yellowhammer State, and you filled in the blank with all the mozzarella and tomato sauce we could ask for.
Read your picks below.
MORE: Alabama’s best barbecue: Reader picks
FAMILIAR FAVORITES
Looks like AL.com got something right, with many readers making the same picks we did all week. Great minds think alike, but y’all already knew that.
AL.com’s pick for best in the whole state, Pizza Ed’s in Hartselle, had a lot of support. “So yummy!!! Everything I have gotten has been great,” said reader Anita Boyle Self, while reader Melissa Flowers said Pizza Ed is “amazing!!”
Readers also agreed with our lists that included Ravenite Pizzeria in Fairhope, Mata’s Greek Pizza & Grinders in Anniston and Davenport’s Pizza Palace in Birmingham. But enough about us. Let’s hear it, folks…
READ: Alabama’s best pizza: Our Top 10
MOST UNDERRATED?
Maybe “underrated” isn’t the right word, because some pizzerias encouraged their fans to show some love in the comments — and they showed out.
Far and away the spot that saw the biggest boom in our posts: Alabama Grill in Greenville. “BEST. PIZZA.” one fan insisted, with many recommending The Liveakos, the signature pie from Mack Liveakos. Originally from Greece, he moved to Greenville and opened the Alabama Grill in 1947. His namesake pie has Roma tomatoes, roasted garlic, fresh spinach, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, grilled red peppers, grilled red onion, mushrooms, feta, capers, mozzarella and light red sauce.
Mi Pizza in Valley Head got a ton of love. Specialty pies include the chicken pickle pizza: Hand-tossed crusted, deluxe pizza topped with garlic butter, mozzarella cheese, Fajita Garlic chicken and pickles, then drizzled with homemade ranch. The “Kitchen Sink” is a deluxe pizza with a hand-tossed crust, topped with mozzarella cheese and all toppings along with crushed tomato sauce.
Another repeat in the comments: Jules J. Berta Vineyards and Winery in Albertville, via Tomato-Tomato (Tomato Pizza Club) on the same property as the vineyards. “My son wants their ‘pizza cheese’ every Friday night!” one reader said. How about the Buzz Kill pizza: Mozzarella, olives, red onions, leafy greens, and feta cheese. Maybe the City Slickers: Philly beef steak, mozzarella, mushrooms, red onions, pepper blend and drizzled with white garlic sauce.
“The Godfather” signature pizza at Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Madison. (Matt Wake/[email protected])
NORTH ALABAMA
In Huntsville, we heard about Big Ed’s, Original Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar (in Madison) and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (”Need Grimaldi’s in Birmingham!” Danny W Phipps said).
Elsewhere, readers picked Blackstone Pub & Eatery’s Pizza Kitchen in Gadsden, YaYa’s Pizza Palace in Boaz, Alfonso’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Decatur and Geno’s in Scottsboro.
Rounding out some North Alabama picks are DJ’s Pizza in Ryland, Village Pizza in Athens and The Hot Spot Restaurant in Moulton.
MORE: Huntsville’s best pizza: Our top 5
Heat Pizza Bar is located at 2250 6th Street in Tuscaloosa. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
CENTRAL ALABAMA
In the Birmingham area, we saw Troup’s Pizza Cahaba Heights, Area 41 Pizza Co. Mt Laurel, Capella Pizzeria in Birmingham (”Tastes like Italy!”) and Tortugas Homemade Pizza in Hoover.
Further into the Central Alabama area, readers singled out Can a Brother Get A Slice in Montgomery, Midtown Pizza Kitchen in Prattville (and Montgomery), Sips Beer Garden and Food Court in Troy, Dough Pizzeria in Opelika, Lake Martin Pizza Company in Dadeville, Godfather’s Pizza Express in Eutaw and Pizza Bar in Walker County’s Carbon Hill (“Try the ham and cheese!” one reader said).
Tuscaloosa spots like Heat Pizza Bar and TuscNY also got a few fan shoutouts.
MORE: Birmingham’s best pizza: Our top 5
The Crico’s Favorite at Crico’s Pizza & Subs in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Lawrence Specker / AL.com)
SOUTH ALABAMA
Along with Alabama Grill, South Alabama’s favorite pizzerias included DiFilippo’s Pizza in Ozark, which garnered a lot of reader attention. Others included Papa Rocco’s Oyster Bar and Pizzeria in Gulf Shores (including a Seafood Primavera Pizza with shrimp and scallops), Joe’s Pizza & Pasta in Mobile (”Delish!” one reader said), Semmes House of Pizza in Semmes and Crico’s Pizza & Subs in Gulf Shores.
MORE: Mobile’s best pizza: Our top 5
More on Alabama’s Best Food:
Alabama’s best barbecue: Our Top 10
Birmingham’s best barbecue: Our Top 5