20 Praiseworthy Pizzas
Aug 29, 2017 02:34PM ● By Morgan Cásarez
Lombardi’s—America’s first pizzeria—opened its doors in New York City’s Little Italy in 1905. More than a century later, the family-owned business is still serving up the Margherita that put it on the map. Whole-milk mozzarella, tomato sauce, grated Romano and fresh basil atop a thin, coal-baked crust continue to attract visitors from all over the world. The Big Apple will forever lay claim to the nation’s oldest pizzeria, but that certainly doesn’t make California slices any less celebrated. In fact, some of the state’s most mouthwatering pies are right here in our own backyard. Whether you crave wood-fired, deep dish, vegetarian, classic or something slightly unconventional, you’re sure to find a new favorite among Style’s list of the very best pizzas. In no particular order…
Chicago Fire
500 North Sunrise Avenue, Roseville, 916-771-2020
ORDER THIS
*The Great Chicago Fire: Deep-dish crust, hot Italian sausage, Italian beef, giardiniera peppers, habanero sauce drizzle; $12.50-$29.95*
Gluten-free crust available
IN THE KNOW
Happy Hour runs Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. and includes $3 pizza by the slice. Save even more money by signing up for “Chicago Fire Square Points.” It’s free to join, and every $1 spent=1 point earned. Register online at chicagofire.com/loyalty to receive:
• Free deep-dish delight on your birthday
• Free specialty pizza for every 500 points earned
• Free corkage
Whole Foods Market
1001 Galleria Boulevard, Roseville, 916-781-5300
ORDER THIS
The Not So BLT: Alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, bacon, roasted corn, mozzarella, fresh cilantro; $17.99
IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss “Pizza Wednesdays,” where you can score a large pepperoni or cheese pie for $9.99. They also offer two slices for $7, seven days a week.
Il Pizzaiolo
3640 Taylor Road, Loomis, 916-672-6556
ORDER THIS
Cinque Terre: Crushed tomato, anchovies, capers, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil; $7.95
IN THE KNOW
Their daily lunch special from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. features a 12-inch Margherita pizza for $5.95.
THE ORIGIN OF PIZZA
Kids ask the darndest things, but when it comes to “Where does pizza come from?” it’s easy to assume you know the answer. According to wonderopolis.org, an educational resource created by the National Center for Families Learning, the truth depends on a number of factors. For starters, how do we define pizza? The preparation of oven-cooked flatbreads dates back to ancient times in the Middle East, while ancient Greeks and Romans popularized the use of toppings like olive oil and spices. The invention of pizza as we know it today—a combination of tomato sauce, cheese and toppings—is attributed to Raffaele Esposito of Naples, although historians have noted street vendors were selling flatbreads with toppings years prior to his creation of the Margherita in 1889. It was that year when Esporito famously prepared a pizza with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil for King Umberto I and Queen—you guessed it (!)—Margherita of Italy.
Chicago’s Pizza With A Twist
7441 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 170, Roseville, 916-780-6100; 8300 Sierra College Boulevard, Roseville, 916-791-0102
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*Tandoori Veggie Pizza: Tandoori sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, red onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cilantro, green chilies and jalapeños (on request); $11.99-$23.99
IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss their lunch buffet! Served Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., fill up on pizza (both traditional and authentic Indian offerings) and salad. They also offer delivery, vegan cheese and halal meat.
Scoreboards Pizza and Grill
9260 Sierra College Boulevard, Suite 600, Roseville, 916-797-1100
ORDER THIS
*Salad Pizza: Sauce-less cheese pizza topped with mixed greens, Granny Smith apples, feta cheese, candied walnuts, tossed in vinaigrette; $19-$28.50
IN THE KNOW
Take advantage of their Happy Hour—weekdays from 3-6 p.m.—where you can get a 12-inch Margherita pizza for $7. Their dog-friendly patio boasts a water fountain, fireplace, gas heaters and two TVs, and can accommodate parties up to 75 people.
Celestino’s New York Pizza and Pasta
6160 Stanford Ranch Road, Suite 900, Rocklin, 916-771-8600
ORDER THIS
*Pepperoni Special: Red sauce, pepperoni, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil; $20.95-$21.95
IN THE KNOW
Visit their website for coupons. Slices are served daily—choose from cheese, Tom Jones, white, pepperoni, mushroom and Hawaiian—and cost $3.25-$4. Delivery, online ordering and catering are available.
Sienna
1480 Eureka Road, Roseville, 916-771-4700
ORDER THIS
Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese: Wood-stone flatbread with balsamic reduction, shallot purée, mushrooms, creamy goat cheese, roasted leeks; $14
IN THE KNOW
Swing by between 3-7 p.m., seven days a week, and try the offering above for $9 during Happy Hour.
Vaiano Trattoria
7160 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay, 916-780-0888
ORDER THIS
Pizza Margherita: San Marzano-style tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil; $9
IN THE KNOW
Check their Facebook page for weekend specials and events; they also offer “Grab ‘n’ Go” trays of their most popular dishes and fully staffed catering for special events.
Old Town Pizza
120 Church Street, Roseville, 916-668-7655; 436 Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 102 and 202, Lincoln, 916-645-7677; 150 Sacramento Street, Auburn, 530-888-7600
ORDER THIS
*Porter Pesto: Pesto sauce, tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, feta cheese; $15-$36
NOTE: Ask for Gunfighter’s Pesto at the Auburn location
IN THE KNOW
Catering and delivery are available. Happy Hour from 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and daily from 8 p.m.-close. Sign up online to receive deals and discounts via email. Wear your OTP Flexfit hat or OTP T-shirt (available for purchase on their website) before you come in and get a discount on your pizza.
Bella Familia Wood Fired Pizza Food Truck
Rocklin, 916-759-4566
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The Ring of Fire: Ground tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, all-beef pepperoni, green peppers, homemade habanero ricotta; $12-$13
IN THE KNOW
They cater weddings and private parties, and this month can be found at the Old Town Auburn Farmers’ Market every Saturday (8 a.m.-noon), Crooked Lane Brewery on September 1 and 7 (4-8 p.m.), Moonraker Brewing Company on September 8 and 28 (4-8 p.m.), and “Off the Grid Food Truck Lunch” at the Rancho Cordova City Hall on September 21 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.).
RECORD-BREAKING PIES
These Guinness World Record holders turned pie-in-the-sky dreams into reality!
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More than 50 bakers gathered in Rome this summer to make the most pizzas ever in just one hour. The result? Seven ovens produced a staggering 1,500 pies.
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In April, New York’s Industry Kitchen started serving up the world’s most expensive commercially available pizza. The $2,700 price tag (that’s before tax and tip) on the aptly named “24K” gets you a wood-fired delicacy topped with Stilton cheese, foie gras, French truffles, 24K gold leaves, and not one, but two different types of caviar!
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Scott Wiener of New York holds the record for largest collection of pizza boxes. He has 1,300 different boxes stashed in the closets of his Brooklyn apartment.
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Kelvin Medina of the Philippines inhaled a 12-inch pizza in just 23.62 seconds on April 12, 2015.
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The Giant Sicilian at Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria in Los Angeles is the largest deliverable pizza in the world. The 54” x 54” behemoth feeds 50-70 people and will set you back just $249 for a cheese pie. Each additional topping is $19.99.
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Pizzas 4 Patriots is an Illinois-based nonprofit dedicated to sending a slice of home to active service members. On July 4, 2012, they made the world’s largest delivery, sending 30,000, 12-inch pizzas to troops in Afghanistan with the help of DHL.
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Joe Carlucci holds the title for “Highest Pizza Toss”—in April 2006, he sent 20 ounces of dough flying just over two stories high at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
Rosati’s Pizza
5140 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 110, Roseville, 916-797-7492
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*Rosati’s Monster: Italian sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, onions, black and green olives, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, bacon; $19.99-$29.99
IN THE KNOW
Enjoy a free 12-inch thin-crust cheese pizza with the purchase of any 18-inch pizza. Crust choices include deep dish, thin, double dough, and gluten-free. Sign up online to receive special offers and promotions.
The Place
221 Vernon Street, Roseville, 916-742-5447
ORDER THIS
Sweet Pig: House-made sausage, pancetta, prosciutto, pineapple fig jam, provolone, mozzarella; $20
IN THE KNOW
Fancy a fancy cocktail? Their Happy Hour is served daily from 3-6 p.m. (bar only) and a great way to get your evening started. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy dinner with a side of live music. Reservations are recommended.
Trademark Pizza Company
1485 Eureka Road, Suite 150, Roseville, 916-774-9922
ORDER THIS
*The Boss: White sauce, three cheeses, salami, pepperoni, spicy sausage, Roma tomatoes, black olives, cremini mushrooms, red onions; $7.49-$9.99
IN THE KNOW
Enjoy the “Family Meal Deal” from Monday-Thursday (4 p.m.-close) where, for $41.99, you get four 11-inch pizzas, four fountain beverages, one family-style veggie salad and one dessert pizza. Other deals and lunch specials are offered nearly every day of the week. Non-dairy cheese and kids’ pizza meals are available as well.
GB Alehouse
5540 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay, 916-797-4992
ORDER THIS
*Deep Dish Meat Head: Pepperoni, salami, ham, linguica, sausage, ground beef; $15.49-$28.49
IN THE KNOW
The patio is perfect for enjoying a slice, sunset, live music, or all of the above with friends and family. Their lunch special is served Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and includes a personal pizza with a side salad or soup for $8.99. Swing by for Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Dominick’s Italian Market and Deli
8621 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay, 916-786-3355
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Dominick’s Favorite Pizza: Black olives, fresh garlic, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, spinach, chopped tomatoes, ham, meatballs, pepperoni, sausage; $24.95
IN THE KNOW
Check their Facebook page for the next “Stromboli Challenge”—where you have 20 minutes to consume an almost five-pound, arms-length, extra-stuffed Stromboli. If you’re successful, you’ll get the meal for free, receive a $20 gift card and get your photo on the deli wall. Happy Hour served daily (bar only) from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Catering available.
PEA PESTO PIZZA WITH RICOTTA, SHAVED ASPARAGUS AND BASIL
Recipe and photos submitted by Bella Karragiannidis of ful-filled.com; @ful.filled
FOR THE PEA PESTO:
- 16 oz. (1 lb.) fresh peas (or thawed if using frozen)
- 1/4 cup roasted unsalted pistachios, shelled
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup Parmesan (or omit to make dairy-free)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Begin by blanching the peas in boiling water for 2 minutes and then move them to an ice bath to chill. Remove the peas from the water once chilled. Add the chilled peas, mint, olive oil, lemon zest and Parmesan (if omitting Parmesan add a generous pinch of salt). Pulse in a food processor until ingredients are well combined, but not smooth—you want the pesto to have a bit of texture. Taste the pesto for seasoning; add salt to taste as necessary. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Pea pesto will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FOR THE PIZZA:
- 16 oz. (1 lb.) pizza dough + flour for dusting
- Pea pesto (see above)
- 16 oz. ricotta cheese
- 1 bunch of asparagus, shaved and chilled in an ice bath
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon zest
- Red crushed pepper
- Fresh basil
Preheat oven to 500°F (if you have a pizza stone, preheat the oven with the pizza stone in the top 1/3 of the oven). Shape pizza dough into 1 large round or 2 small rounds, flouring your surface as needed to keep the dough from sticking. Transfer shaped dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Spread dough with pea pesto, leaving about 1 1/2 inch of dough at the edges bare. Dollop ricotta over the top of the pesto. Place pizza with parchment paper on top of a pizza peel and slide it into the oven onto the pizza stone (if not using a pizza stone, place pizza with parchment onto a baking sheet). Bake pizza for 7-10 minutes until crust is golden and bubbly. Remove pizza from the oven and top with shaved asparagus (drain asparagus from the ice water first) followed by a drizzle of olive oil, Parmesan, chili flakes, lemon zest and fresh basil. Slice and serve.
Ful-filled was created by Bella and her husband who live in Roseville. They’re firm believers that changing the current culture of food and health begins in the kitchen. For more info, visit ful-filled.com or follow her on Instagram at @ful.filled.
Primo Pizza Burger Brew
2600 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 103, Rocklin, 916-259-1010
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Pizza Suprimo: Thin or thick crust, pepperoni, salami, sausage, ham, red onions, mushrooms, black olives, green bell peppers, artichoke hearts; $15.99-$26.99
IN THE KNOW
The Primo lunch special—available Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.—includes any personal size specialty pizza with a small house salad or cup of soup for $9.99. Delivery available.
The Riverside Pizzeria
609 Riverside Avenue, Roseville, 916-784-1515
ORDER THIS
*Bacon Cheese Burger: Fresh ground beef, bacon, Cheddar cheese; $6.99-$29.99
IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss their vintage video games and pinball machine! Lunch specials (served Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) include two slices and a soda for $5.99, or a personal pie, salad and a soda for $7.99. Delivery available.
Cool River Pizza
1805 Cirby Way, Suite 3, Roseville, 916-786-9000, mycoolriverpizza.com; 6200 Stanford Ranch Road, Suite 700, Rocklin, 916-772-0505
ORDER THIS
*Cool Chicken Ranch: Original or thin crust, creamy ranch sauce, herb chicken, crumbled bacon, tomatoes, red onions; $17.45-$25.99
IN THE KNOW
At the Roseville location, dine in on the fourth Tuesday of every month for 30-percent off any one pizza and enjoy surprise appearances from special guests. The same location also delivers, offers take-and-bake pies, and serves a lunch special Monday-Friday that includes a giant slice and soda for $4.50 or solely a slice for $3.50. In Rocklin, they offer a daily Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m., spacious party room that seats up to 64 people, and a “Family Special” for $35.95 (served daily; includes a large four-topping pizza, salad, cheesy bread or baked fries, and four fountain drinks or a two-liter soda). Both locations deliver.
Campelli’s Pizza
7480 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 100, Roseville, 916-784-8440
ORDER THIS
*Fumo BBQ: House-made BBQ sauce, BBQ chicken, red onions, bacon, Cheddar cheese (Campelli’s recommends adding pineapple and jalapeño for a “sweet and spicy twist!”); $8.50-$24.50
IN THE KNOW
Kids and kids at heart will love Campelli’s “Make & Bake Parties” where private groups of up to 20 have a (dough) ball designing their very own personal pizzas with the help of a “Make & Bake” instructor during the 60-90 minute interactive experience.
TOP IT OFF
A 2016 Harris Poll asked adults in the U.S. to name their favorite and least favorite pizza toppings. Did yours make the list?
Favorite
1. Pepperoni
2. Sausage
3. Mushrooms
4. Cheese/Plain
5. Onions
6. Olives
7. Bacon
8. Tie: Ham/Canadian Bacon & Pineapple
10. Peppers/Sweet Peppers
Least Favorite
1. Anchovies
2. Mushrooms
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Olives
6. Pepperoni
7. Peppers/Sweet Peppers
8. Sausage
9. Meat
10. Cheese/Plain
Big Daddy’s Pizza Co.
5514 Pacific Street, Suite 100, Rocklin, 916-624-7499
ORDER THIS
Big Mamma’s Tostada: Refried beans, onions, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, lettuce, corn chips; $9.95-$34.95
IN THE KNOW
Their party room seats up to 50 people and can be reserved at no cost; they also offer a 15-percent discount to parties that place a pre-order 24 hours in advance. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, buy a personal pizza and get a salad and drink for free.