12 Texas Pizza Spots That Locals Swear Taste Better Than The Big Brands
Pizza lovers across Texas know that the best slices aren’t found at chain restaurants. From Austin to Houston, Dallas to San Antonio, local pizzerias are serving up handcrafted pies that put the big brands to shame.
These family-owned spots use fresh ingredients, perfect their dough recipes for years, and bring unique Texas flair to traditional pizza-making techniques.
1. Home Slice Pizza – Austin
New York-style pizza thrives in the heart of Texas at this South Congress staple. The owners spent months in NYC learning from the best before opening their doors in 2005.
Their hand-tossed pies feature thin, foldable crusts with the perfect balance of chew and crunch. The margherita pizza showcases their commitment to simplicity and quality with fresh mozzarella, basil, and bright tomato sauce.
2. Via 313 – Austin
Square is the shape of satisfaction at this Detroit-style pizza joint. Their rectangular pies feature thick, airy crusts with caramelized cheese edges that pizza dreams are made of.
Founded by two brothers from Michigan, Via 313 brings authentic Motor City flavor to multiple Austin locations.
The signature Detroit style means cheese goes directly on the dough, then toppings, followed by racing stripes of tomato sauce on top.
3. Pinthouse Pizza – Austin
Craft beer and artisanal pizza create the perfect pairing at this Austin brewpub. Their hand-tossed pies feature creative topping combinations that complement their house-brewed beers.
I still remember my first bite of their Banh Mi pizza topped with pickled vegetables and pork – a flavor explosion that had me questioning everything I thought I knew about pizza.
The atmosphere feels like a neighborhood gathering spot where pizza enthusiasts and beer lovers unite.
4. Little Deli & Pizzeria – Austin
Tucked away in Austin’s Crestview neighborhood, this unassuming spot delivers big New Jersey-inspired flavors. The cozy converted house creates a homey atmosphere for enjoying their hand-tossed pies.
Their thin-crust pizzas achieve the perfect balance – sturdy enough to hold generous toppings yet delicate enough to fold.
The sauce strikes that ideal sweet-tangy note that transports East Coast transplants straight back to their favorite hometown pizzerias.
5. Cane Rosso – Dallas
Authentic Neapolitan pizza reigns supreme at this Dallas institution. Their imported wood-fired oven reaches 900 degrees, creating perfectly blistered crusts in just 90 seconds.
Owner Jay Jerrier trained with Italian pizza masters before bringing his passion to Texas. I visited during a thunderstorm last year, and watching the pizzaiolos work their magic by firelight while rain pounded outside created a magical dining experience I’ll never forget.
6. Zoli’s NY Pizza – Addison
New York attitude meets Texas hospitality at this irreverent pizza joint. The menu features both classic NY-style thin pies and thick, grandma-style squares with crispy bottoms and fluffy interiors.
Their creative monthly specials often incorporate unexpected ingredients like hot honey, bacon jam, or Nashville hot chicken.
The walls, decorated with comic book art and pop culture references, create a fun atmosphere that matches their bold approach to pizza-making.
7. Eno’s Pizza Tavern – Dallas
Thin and crispy crust enthusiasts flock to this Bishop Arts District favorite. Their cracker-thin pies manage to support generous toppings without sacrificing that satisfying crunch.
The rustic tavern atmosphere with exposed brick and wooden beams creates the perfect setting for enjoying their craft beer selection alongside a pizza.
My first visit coincided with their honey and spicy sausage special – the combination of sweet, heat, and savory had me planning my return before I’d even paid the bill.
8. Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana – Houston
Pizza perfection achieved through fanatical attention to detail defines this Houston gem. The owner imported his oven directly from Italy and uses a special flour blend for authentically chewy-crisp Neapolitan crusts.
Each pie cooks in under two minutes at scorching temperatures, creating those coveted leopard spots on the crust.
Their margherita showcases the beauty of simplicity with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil on that perfect charred crust.
9. Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern – Houston
Family recipes and a welcoming atmosphere make this Houston spot feel like dining at your Italian grandparents’ house. Their hand-tossed pies feature a medium-thick crust with a satisfying chew and perfectly crisp bottom.
The owners learned pizza-making from their actual nonno (grandfather), whose black-and-white photo watches over the dining room.
When I visited last summer, the owner’s daughter brought our pizza and proudly explained how her great-grandfather’s sauce recipe remains unchanged after three generations.
10. Gold Tooth Tony’s – Houston
Bold flavors and quirky personality define this Houston hidden gem. Their sourdough crust provides a tangy foundation for creative topping combinations that change seasonally based on local ingredients.
The open kitchen layout lets diners watch the pizza-making magic happen. Their signature pie features honey-drizzled crust, spicy soppressata, and house-pickled jalapeños – a sweet-spicy combo that perfectly represents their Texas-meets-Italy approach to pizza.
11. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana – San Antonio
Authentic Neapolitan pizza brings a taste of Italy to the Alamo City. They follow strict traditional methods from dough preparation to cooking techniques.
The house-made mozzarella pulls into perfect cheese strings with each bite. Their Pork Love pizza with salami, sausage, pancetta, and speck converted me from a lifetime veggie-pizza loyalist to a meat-topping enthusiast during my visit last fall.
12. Il Forno – San Antonio
Farm-to-table philosophy elevates pizza to art form status at this San Antonio favorite. Chef Michael Sohocki grows many ingredients in the restaurant’s garden and makes charcuterie in-house.
The wood-fired oven built by the chef himself creates perfect blistered crusts with subtle smokiness. Their commitment to local sourcing means the menu changes frequently, but the quality remains consistently excellent no matter what seasonal toppings grace their pies.