10 Hole-In-The-Wall Tennessee Pizza Joints Locals Say Are The Real Deal
From Pizza Palace in Knoxville to Broadway Pizza in Memphis, Tennessee’s best pizza hides in plain sight. These are the kind of spots where neon signs buzz softly, the sauce simmers slow, and families have been gathering for generations.
The crusts come crisp from old ovens, the cheese stretches just right, and every slice carries the warmth of something made by hand, not headline. You won’t find trendy toppings or sleek interiors here, just the smell of fresh dough and the sound of people who’ve been coming since they were kids.
Across the state, these humble kitchens prove that great pizza doesn’t need polish. It only needs time, care, and a steady hand at the peel.
1. Pizza Palace, Knoxville
You’ll spot the neon sign before anything else, glowing red against Magnolia Avenue like a promise that hasn’t dimmed since 1961. Cars line up in the drive-in stalls while trays of pizza and onion rings glide out on metal arms.
The pizza’s classic, thin crust with that perfect chew, heavy on sauce and bubbling mozzarella that stretches in strands with every bite. The pepperoni edges curl just enough to trap oil like little cups of flavor.
Bring cash and patience. The line moves at its own rhythm, but the reward is worth the wait.
2. Broadway Pizza, Memphis
Inside, it feels like time hit pause sometime around 1977: brick walls, checkered floors, and regulars who greet the staff by name. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need updating.
Their dough is hand-tossed, the crust brushed with butter before baking to give it that faint golden shimmer. The sausage is crumbly and spiced just right, tucked under generous cheese where it belongs.
Tip: go for the half-and-half pies. Locals swear that’s how you discover the real balance between Broadway’s red and white sauces.
3. Coletta’s, Memphis
Founded in 1923, Coletta’s claims the title of oldest restaurant in Memphis, and rumor has it Elvis himself loved their pizza. The dim booths and glowing stained glass make it feel more like a church of carbs than a pizzeria.
The star here is the barbecue pizza, invented right on these premises: tangy pulled pork layered with sweet sauce and molten mozzarella. It’s smoky, sticky, and oddly elegant.
I’ll admit, I doubted it at first. Then I tried it, and instantly understood why Memphis never stopped talking about this pie.
4. Little Italy Midtown, Memphis
Tucked between a laundromat and a pawn shop, Little Italy Midtown has that comforting chaos only a true neighborhood joint can pull off. You can smell oregano and garlic from the parking lot.
The slices come oversized, New-York-style, with crisp edges and soft centers that fold perfectly in hand. Their white pizza, simple ricotta, mozzarella, and spinach, is a quiet standout.
Go late on a Friday night. The crowd’s relaxed, the soda fridge hums in the corner, and the pizza somehow tastes even better after 10 p.m.
5. Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream, Chattanooga
Bright murals and the smell of fresh dough make Mr. T’s feel instantly familiar, even on a first visit. Families crowd in after baseball games, kids dart between booths, and no one’s in a hurry.
The pizza’s straightforward and joyful, gooey cheese, thick cut pepperoni, and a crust with just enough bite to hold up to the toppings. It’s the definition of comfort food.
My cone of butter pecan ice cream afterward sealed the deal. A pizza joint that nails dessert too? Chattanooga knows how to do casual right.
6. Dazzo’s Pizzeria, Knoxville
The narrow storefront glows with string lights, and inside it’s all New-York memorabilia, tiled floors, and the smell of dough proofing behind the counter. It’s one of downtown Knoxville’s most beloved secrets.
Their thin-crust slices land hot, with the kind of grease sheen that only real New York-style pizza achieves. Fold it, let it drip, take a bite, that’s the ritual.
Locals say the garlic knots here are mandatory. They’re chewy, buttery, and dusted with just enough parmesan to ruin your appetite in the best possible way.
7. Pizza Perfect, Nashville
This West End classic looks like a repurposed gas station, and kind of is. The vibe is casual, students and locals stacked elbow to elbow at lunch.
They hand-toss every crust and bake it straight on stone, which gives the bottom a light blister and the edges that faint crunch that crackles when you bite in. The sauce leans herby, not sweet.
Bring a friend and split a medium. You’ll want to save space for the garlic breadsticks, they’re fresh, not frozen, and come out swimming in melted butter.
8. Sir Pizza, Murfreesboro
Sir Pizza is unapologetically old school; red booths, frosted mugs, and toppings that run all the way to the edge. It’s been feeding this town since the 1960s, and its loyal following never wavers.
The “Royal Feast” is the crown jewel: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and onions cut small so every bite feels balanced. It’s indulgent but somehow never heavy.
For best results, eat it right out of the oven. Locals swear it loses magic if it cools longer than ten minutes, and they’re probably right.
9. Exlines’ Best Pizza In Town, Memphis
The name sounds bold until you realize it’s just truth in advertising. Exlines’ opened in 1974 and still serves that unmistakable Memphis-style pizza, thin crust, generous toppings, sauce that leans sweet and tangy.
The décor is pure nostalgia: wood paneling, neon, and jukebox hum. Every booth has seen decades of date nights and post-game celebrations.
If you like spice, ask for the hot sausage topping. It’s local, fiery, and somehow makes even a basic cheese pizza feel brand new.
10. Little Chicago Pizza, Nashville
You’ll find Little Chicago tucked off Murfreesboro Pike, its sign half hidden by trees. Inside, the air smells like butter, basil, and toasted parmesan, an instant invitation.
True to its name, this is the deep-dish capital of Nashville. Thick, flaky crusts hold a molten core of cheese, sauce, and slow-simmered sausage. Each slice is a small commitment, but one you’ll happily make.
Order ahead; it takes nearly 30 minutes to bake. Trust me, by the time it arrives, you’ll be grateful for every bubbling, golden inch.