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A New Year; A New Odyssey

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Last year at this time, I was wondering where to find the find the best burger in this fair city, so I went on a journey – The YEG Burger Odyssey – that took me to all 4 corners of Edmonton and even pushed out a bit further. In the end, after many burgers (and many new notches on my belt), I did it – I found the best burgers in Edmonton (and area).

But it didn’t take long for me to start to feel that need to explore kick in again. Already vowing that it would be a log time before I would crave another burger, I turned to another familiar comfort food. A dish that always makes me feel good; something that I can scarf down just as happily when its +30 or -30 and everyone seems to have an opinion on who makes it best.

Welcome to the YEG Pizza Odyssey.

my home version is an early contender

my home version is an early contender

Edmonton has a lot of really great pizza and I am excited to try it all. I’m sure you remember how it works but, in case you need a refresher, there will be a head to head challenge each week of 2 restaurant pizzas and I will pick a winner each week out of the 2 presented. I’m not going to limit myself to only eating thin crust or deep dish, but I will do my best to pair similar styles together. This time around, I will also keep a running leader board so you can always check back for a quick glance at the latest rankings.

I believe there are the 3 aspects that can make or break any pizza and I will base my judgement on them as follows:

The Crust

The Sauce

The Cheese/Toppings

I’ve already started compiling a list of pizzas to try, and it’s growing every day.  Edmonton has so many pizza places that I barely know where to begin so your help is always welcome; leave a comment below where you think I should start and what you think makes a pizza great.

This is going to be a great year!

baconhound

Comments

  1. Glad to see a new challenge for the year, Phil!

    I feel like you have to definitely try:

    Royal Pizza
    Tony’s Pizza
    Famoso
    Academy Pizza (in HUB mall if it still exists)

    Good luck with the challenge, and let me know if you need an eating buddy!

    • Thanks Adam! The first 3 are definitely getting some love, but this is the first I’ve heard of Academy Pizza. I love when someone throws out one that’s new to me.

  3. My two all time favourites are:

    Ragazzi (thin crust)

    Dallas Pizza (thick crust)

    Can’t go wrong with either of them…two lovely non-chain places with great service.

    Looking forward to seeing what other say!

  5. Add Roadrunner Pizza, Franco’s, Grandma’s Pizza in Riverbend, Rosebowl, Leva, RAGAZZI BISTRO ITALIANO and Parkallen.

    • I quite often make no-sauce pizzas at home. Just butter the crust and away you go! It’s great.

  9. I’m definitely looking forward to the results of this project. I’ve often wondered which pizza joint to visit in #yeg.FWIW, I LOVE the Cavoletti @ Famoso- Brussels Sprouts/gorgonzola/prosciutto/dates/walnuts/honey. Sounds weird, tastes amazing. But I’d like to know about locally owned places that make similarly delicious pizzas.

    • I agree. The CAVOLETTI is the best pizza going and although they are now a large franchise they are local. Started right here in Jasper Ave.

      • I have to admit that the Cavoletti is one of my current favourites too. Thanks for the imput, Trip!

    • The pizza in my post is a homemade one with brussels sprouts. I’ve loved them on pizza ever since I had the cavoletti. Thanks so much for the input!

    • Lori, this Tony fella sure has a lot of fans. I can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about.

    • KB, thanks for that. I love when people are like me and can appreciate more than 1 style of pizza.

  13. Rose Bowl….and not the thin crust one either. Thin crust has it’s virtues but at Rose Bowl you gotta go with their traditional crust Chef’s Mistake pizza. Looking forward to following this one.

  14. Such a toss up between Ragazzi’s (The Godfather) & Tony’s (Sal’s Deluxe). Whoever said Boston Pizza please leave and never return.

    • Ragazzi’s is climbing in the votes! I always forget they’re over there in Bonnie Doon. Thanks, Darryl!

  18. Hey Phil, put UFO Pizza on the north side on your list. Their original restaurant is in St. Paul, but they now have one here in Edmonton.

  20. Ok bud – here we go:

    – Tony’s: New Yorker or Sal’s Deluxe
    – Ragazzi: Davide’s Inferno or Margherita
    – Italian Centre: Margherita
    – Famoso: Vesuvio

    Fun facts – Famoso dough comes as close to the Neapolitan stuff I ate for months in Italy. Edmontonian’s are spoiled when it comes to Neapolitan style crust.

    • Lis,

      Oh man, I wonder if Tony’s has any idea of the love they’re getting today? Also, am I the only one who didn’t realize the Italian Centre made pizzas?? I guess I should venture past all those delicious deli meats sometime!

  21. This is a weird one, but A Hot Pizza on 109 street and 102 Ave. It’s a hole in the wall take out place in a tiny strip mall, but it’s good! One caveat, don’t show up too early to pick it up (or wait around after ordering), the guy will take it out of the oven too early! Don’t know why he does that, but when it’s cooked right it’s cheesy, thick crust deliciousness.

    • Jess, I like the weird ones. In last years Burger Odyssey 3 of my top 5 were places I hadn’t been before! I’ll check it out, thanks!

  22. Rose Bowl – a classic with tons of toppings, great zippy sauce
    Beer Revolution – Thin crust, interesting ingredients. Specifically the Armin is probably the best vegetarian pizza I’ve ever eaten, but all of the ones I’ve tried are fantastic.

    • That’s a few recommendations for Rose Bowl now! Would you suggest the thicker pizza over the thin there?
      I’ll also throw Beer Revolution on the list, and maybe partake in a couple beverages too.

  23. Grandma’s Pizza (recently relocated to Riverbend). True old-school pizza, been our family’s favourite since I was a kid. Pepperoni, ground beef, and mushrooms is my go-to.

    Looking forward to the Odyssey!

    • Is this the Grandma’s Pizza that was in Millwoods? If so, I had a few drunken pizza’s there a really long time ago but forgot about them. I remember really enjoying it. I hope it wasn’t just the booze.
      Thanks David.

  25. While this won’t count I would vote any pizza made by Chef Chad Moss of the now defunct pizza club!

    He’s ruined restaurant pizza for me so I look forward to the odyssey in the hopes that you’ll discover something incredible!

  27. I’ve heard things about Rossi? And I think for an ethnic flair, you need to try Supreme Pizza in Millwoods. Tandoori Chicken pizza is great!

  28. Obviously, Tony’s, but less known but equally great is Saccomanno’s Pizza Pasta and Deli (10208-127 Ave)

  30. Sadly I think this odyssey might leave you wanting more…besides Famoso (which has been mentioned a bajillion times already) the best pizza in the city is my wife’s. (AKA this city has pretty crappy pizzas, lol!)

  32. Loved Academy Pizza back in the day! D’Amore’s Mercato on the southside is pretty good. I’ve heard Manning Pizza isn’t bad as well.

  33. My favourite would have to be Rosso on 109’th! their Funghi misti (Roasted wild mushrooms, mozzarella fior di latte, taleggio cheese, roasted garlic, fresh parsley, white truffle oil) and the Patata e pancetta (Sliced Yukon Gold potatoes, pancetta [aka, bacon ] ,mozzarella fior di latte, gorgonzola cheese, fresh rosemary) pizzas are BOMB, and if you go for breakfast you can get a pizza with an egg on top, which is like, every pizza/breakfast lover’s dream come true:)

  35. D’Amores!! I can’t believe I forgot. Visit Albert and try his delicious pizza! I bet you won’t be able to tear yourself out of their beautiful store! The D’Amores are a wonderful family!

  36. This Grandma’s was originally located in the Petrolia strip mall. I have been a BIG fan of theirs – order from them for almost 30 years before the moved to this new location (riverbend road). Now I have to take a trip on the Whitemud to pick up, but well worth it. The best pizza in Edmonton in my opinion. My criteria include how does it taste the next day (both cold and heated up leftovers) and this is where most pizzas fail – but not Grandmas!!

  37. I am a huge fan of Chicago Deep Dish on 104 street by Whyte. The to-go pizza is delicious, as is the huge square-shaped delivery pizza. It’s not for everyone, as it has huge crust, huge toppings and huge cheese. I say try the Mr. Universe. Great for days when you are hung over and need recovery food. For thin crust – I love the Cavoletti at Famoso.

    • Thanks Jodie. I don’t think I’ve ever had the deep dish there, just the regular slices late-night. Lots of love for the Cavoletti at the Famoso!

  38. I keep reading about Pho Huong & Mama Pizza…I have eaten the Vietnamese food, but not pizza…
    Chicago Deep Dish just off Whyte Ave was a staple in my U of A days!!

    • I ate a lot of pizza at Chicago Pizzq after too much to drink in my youth. It was $2 a slice, and I’d pour half the parm shaker on it for the stumble home.
      Thanks for the heads on up Mama Pizza!

  39. I agree with Neil about Chad Moss, but I’ll also include Jeff Johnson. I did learn everything I know from both of them, so I would also vote for my house. Let me know when you want to come over and we’ll make it happen!

    • Upside down? That sounds beyond stupid. Haha. It used to be called Vern’s, and as I recall the layered sandwich meats on it were literally an inch high. You can only eat 1 slice!

  41. Oh you must, must, must visit Coliseum Steak & Pizza on 118 Ave, just west of Rexall Place! It’s an Oilers institution (think Boys on the Bus) and is PACKED on game night and/or before any big concert. And for good reason. You’ve never had a better beef and onion pizza!

  42. I grew up on pizza from Chicago Joe’s in Castledowns, and to this day my family still makes the trip for pizza there even though we no longer live in Edmonton. Nitza’s Pizza in Sherwood Park, Perry’s in Fort Saskatchewan & Famoso are also favourites.