Celebrate National Pizza Day at these 5 central New York pizza shops
Photos by Rachel Raposas, Photo Illustration by Meghan Hendricks
Whether it’s Varsity Pizza on Marshall Street or Kostas Pizza House in East Syracuse, revel in your love of pizza with these five restaurants.
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Whether it’s for a late night study group session or a last-minute substitute for a more nutritious dinner, pizza is a go-to meal for many college students. It’s also perhaps the most classic of all the comfort foods — what’s more uplifting than an entire pizza, just for you and your friends?
Historically, there has been a lot of Italian immigration in the central New York area, and the name “Syracuse” actually stems from the Sicilian city Siracusa. With these roots in Italian culture, this city is bound to have your perfect pizza in store. In honor of National Pizza Day on Wednesday, Feb. 9, here are some of the best and most popular pizza shops and restaurants in Syracuse, ranked.
5. Varsity Pizza
Located near Marshall Street, Varsity Pizza is a timeless Syracuse University restaurant. The interior is decked out in orange and blue, a nod to the school’s colors. It is mainly laid out like a typical diner, making it a perfect place to meet with friends.
You can order a whole pie or just a slice at Varsity, making it a great option for a quick stop after class. For anyone who loves to personalize their pizza, Varsity offers a wide range of toppings, such as spinach and meatballs. In addition to its trademark pizza, it serves sandwiches, wings and breakfast foods.
While Varsity’s tried-and-true combination of thick sauce and cheese is a good mix, the real star of the pizza with sausage is the added topping — extra seasoning on the meat gives the slice a little spice.
4. Key Pizza
Key Pizza, found on Erie Boulevard, is perfect for grabbing a meal while you’re out running errands. In addition to pizza, Key Pizza serves an array of other foods, including burgers, calzones and garlic knots — whatever you’re craving, Key Pizza probably has it.
Key Pizza’s pizza has a doughy sort of texture to its crust that can be a surprising but exciting aspect. While the cheese and sauce aren’t the most exceptional, that leaves ample room for fun vegetables or meat to elevate the whole experience.
Also, central to American pizza is the delivery aspect — something Key Pizza does well. While it might seem like a small detail, your food will arrive quickly and still warm, which is great for a night in. And while not all pizza reheats well, Key Pizza’s definitely does and makes great leftovers.
3. Dorian’s Pizza and Deli
Located on Westcott Street, Dorian’s Pizza and Deli’s ambiance is that of a classic pizza parlor: red walls and decor, Parmesan cheese shakers on every table and pizzas on display. Although it’s not the fanciest restaurant, it’s certainly an enjoyable, comforting experience to just sit down and eat at Dorian’s.
Dorian’s offers small pizzas, which are just a bit larger than a personal pan pizza and the right size to share with a friend or two. This restaurant also serves salads, wraps, fries and “Greek God Sandwiches,” which feature Mediterranean elements like Italian roasted red peppers and provolone.
If you like grease on your pizza, it’s there, but if not, it’s no problem to sop up. While the sauce is thick, the cheese is thicker: the slice might actually flop or fall apart if you pick it up before it has the chance to cool down. However, that’s what makes Dorian’s pizza so great — there’s so much to taste in every bite. You’re sure to crave Dorian’s pizza time and time again.
2. Apizza Regionale
Apizza Regionale is situated on Genesee Street, right around many other popular restaurants and shops. Unlike the others previously mentioned, this restaurant certainly has the most ornate pizza dining experience. Adorned with fairy lights and rustic-vintage touches for the decor, Apizza is the perfect date night spot.
In line with the restaurant’s atmosphere, the pizza at Apizza Regionale is delicate but enjoyable. Apizza’s trademark dish, aptly named “Apizza,” has some simple, classic elements like stringy melted cheese and a thin coat of sauce. The pizza dough is a perfectly crisp golden brown — don’t skip the crust here! One of the lighter pizzas in the area, the touches of basil, oregano and other often-overlooked spices really bring a fresh taste of Italy to central New York.
1. Kostas Pizza House
Although it’s quite a drive from the SU campus, Kostas Pizza House is worth the trip. Located in East Syracuse on East Manlius Street, Kostas serves just about everything, including pizza, pasta, subs and gyros. The dining area features decorative plants, neon lighting and a gumball machine — definitely one of the most original pizza settings here in Syracuse.
Kostas makes every size of pizza and has a wide array of additional toppings; you can even divide the toppings into sections on the pizza, which makes it perfect for sharing with friends. The crust is thick, the cheese is melted to perfection, and the sauce is, surprisingly, just the slightest bit sweet. While it’s a distinct taste, it’s also the ultimate comfort slice. Kostas is a great option for any setting, time or occasion — and that’s why it’s ranked first.
Published on February 10, 2022 at 12:23 am
