The Best Pizza Slice in Toronto

Posted by Emily Thomas
April 9, 2009

best pizza toronto sliceThere are so many great places to enjoy a pizza in Toronto. While we've already looked at the best pizza in Toronto, not all offer the option to grab just a slice of delicious pizza pie.

The best pizza slice in Toronto is in Little Italy. In fact, one really doesn't have to venture too far from College and Grace to sample many of Toronto's top slices, day or night. There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the College Street cadre. Pizza abounds wherever students gather, often in the form of absurd rivalries. Yonge Street has been offering slices to Torontonians and tourists alike for years. And kudos to King Slice for plating up some premium pies out at the quiet corner of Bloor and Dorval.

Without further ado, here's the list of the best pizza slices in Toronto. Note: Massimo's was originally on this list but was removed because of its questionable food safety history.

Photos by Alyssa Bistonath

Bitondo Pizzeria & Sandwiches

Bitondo Pizzeria & Sandwiches

Bitondo's doesn't deliver, which you think would hinder business, but they're not sweatin' it. The place is always busy and if you've had a slice of their pepperoni, you know why. It’s pure, fresh and simple, like it grew up out of the ground or came off a tree as “pizza”. More...

Cora Pizza

Cora Pizza

The Cora Pizza vs. Papa Ceo rivalry (they're right beside each other and across from U of T) is fascinating in that both are good, and quite similar (I get them confused in some of my pizza memories), yet their respective fans are fiercely loyal and rather vocal. In any case, Cora's is good for a late night slice (at 4am they're still open and ready for a bunch of drunken kids heading back to residence) and they have lots of vegetarian options. More...

Amato Pizza

Amato Pizza

Amatos still reminds me of high school when I didn't live in Toronto, but would come downtown on the weekend. We would always get a slice of Amatos because they had chicken, broccoli, spinach and hunks of garlic on their pizza, unconventional pizza toppings not available in the suburbs. They're still good for late night pizza because they're open until 3am, their slices are huge and their prices are pretty decent too. More...

Pizzaiolo

Pizzaiolo

Pizzaiolo’s deep-dish pizza is some of the most satisfying in the city. Pies are doughy and crispy on top with a spicy bottom, toppings right out to the edges and golden crusts. Slices are a bit small and pricey, but it’s worth it. More...

Papa Ceo

Papa Ceo

Papa Ceo is known for big, soft slices of pizza dripping with toppings and named for famous people, mostly Italian, New York types with the exception of the Terminator and Tina Turner. Their selection is really huge. There's something for everyone! And the service is positively delightful. More...

Big Slice

Big Slice

Big Slice reminds me of New York (yeah, I said it). They have a very summer-in-the-city-urban-pizza-joint thing going on with coy but amusing (and amused) boys behind the counter. The slices are big, yes. The pepperoni is tasty. The plain cheese is really soft and greasy, so it’s a delight to cover in hot sauce, fold in half and shove in your mouth all at once (or as close as you can get to all at once). More...

Pizza Gigi

Pizza Gigi

This place has very nice service and very nice crusts, textured and crispy. They are one half of the pizza competition (the other half is #10, Mama B’s) providing slices to hungry high schoolers outside Central Tech. More...

King Slice

King Slice

Everyone I know goes crazy for King Slice when they're in the area, which is not often since I don't live around there anymore and the location is sort of between neighborhoods (it's at the intersection of Bloor W and Dundas W, where the borders of Roncesvalles, Bloordale, High Park and The Junction meet in a sort of uninteresting way). A slice of pepperoni from King slice looks like pizza out of an Archie comic - big, hot, chewy and dripping with cheese. I want to order an entire pie and put it away in a flash, Jughead styles. More...

John's Classic Pizza

John's Classic Pizza

John’s Classic makes for a solid snack. This is not heavy pizza. They go easy on the cheese and heavy on the herbs. The crust is thin and crispy, flecked with salty poppy seeds on the bottom. More...

Mama B's Pizza

Mama B's Pizza

While enjoying a slice of Mama B’s pizza, Alyssa said to me “this sauce tastes like the sauce Marco Bucci’s mom makes.” She actually said that, without even thinking. So to sum up - Mama B’s tastes exactly like it sounds and has very good sauce. More...

Supermodel Pizza

Supermodel Pizza

Supermodel Pizza is known for their thin crust (supermodel thin!) and the weird baby on their sign (who is not thin). A piece of their pepperoni and bacon pizza will get you a huge, meaty slice with one entire piece of bacon, like a delicious afterthought. More...

Judd on April 9, 2009 at 9:26 AM

Amato at #3 and John's Classic at #9? Amato is the best mediocre pizza in town.

C-real on April 9, 2009 at 9:38 AM

I guess Massimo's was tossed off the list due to its recent sanitary problems...?

Raina on April 9, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Where is Massimo's?

Human Fly on April 9, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Everyone's got an opinion on pizza, here's my 2 cents...

Bitondo: the epitome of a pepperoni slice. I would eat there more often if they had more variety.

Amato: I used to love it, but after the news came out re: not paying their workers and health code violations, I avoid it.

Pizzaiolo: current fave. Good variety, whole wheat options, fresh ingredients. Quality varies from location to location. The best is the one on Queen West next to the scene of the Great Fire of '07. They're licensed, too, which is great because nothing washes down a slice better than beer. Avoid the location on John St -- loud annoying music, terrible service.

Papa Ceo: Pretty good, but too much baking soda in the dough making the crust too crispy.

Pizza Gigi: Good slice, but too thick and doughy for me. Certainly filling.

John's Classic: Excellent traditional-style pizza. Nothing fancy, but it hits the spot.

Supermodel: I can't eat there; that baby freaks me out.

Of the chains, Mamma's Pizza makes a good cheese slice and Pizza Nova's usually pretty reliable. All time worst goes to Pizza Pizza.

Diana on April 9, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Any list that includes Big Slice as quality is a joke. As a graduate of RyeHigh, I ate way too much of it in college. You don't go to Big Slice because it's cood, you go because it's big and cheap. Kinda tastes like cardboard. Pizza Pizza quality.

Where's Vesuvio's on Dundas West? Certainly deserves a spot above all the chains listed here.

polyergos on April 9, 2009 at 10:03 AM

You forgot about Danforth Pizza House across the street from Square Boy.

Yves on April 9, 2009 at 10:04 AM

Stratenger's in the east end (http://www.toronto.com/restaurants/listing/127658) has very underrated pizza, cooked in a wood stove.

P Bag on April 9, 2009 at 10:27 AM

uh... The Real McCoy? It's worth the drive to Scarborough.

http://www.toronto.com/restaurants/listing/000-129-761

Ben on April 9, 2009 at 10:30 AM

1. You can't remove Massimo.

Ba8y6irl on April 9, 2009 at 10:34 AM

where's Pizza Delight?

I kid I kid...

I also like Mamma's cheese slice, add a little parmesan and it's delish!

cvd on April 9, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Just VESUVIO'S simple pepperoni and cheese pizza should have knocked Bitondo down to #2. Sorry Bitondo!

Kat on April 9, 2009 at 10:57 AM

ROMA restaurant at Bloor + Gladstone has some mighty fine pizzas as well, for the thin crust lovers. And a good selection of fancypants toppings.

Elle Driver on April 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Amatos?? UGH. Why do you think they only have one location left? A formerly great pizza chain which spiraled into mediocre garbage. I once ordered a basic pepperoni, and received a stone-cold greasy slice. On my subsequent (and last) visit, I ordered the pizza with potato slices - received a slice garnished with diced McCain shoe-string fries. UGH.

I'll take Magic Oven over Amato's any day. I know it has its detractors, but I love the chicken pesto pizza, as well as the tandoori chicken slice.

Ryan L. on April 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM , replying to a comment from Human Fly

I always assumed Pizza Pizza was the worst of the bunch, but then I discovered it varies greatly on where you get your deliveries from. I discovered that the one that delivers to my new apartment is actually really quite good. I don't know which storefront it gets sent from, so I can't say that their walk-in pizza is just as good.

Tim on April 9, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Keep in mind this list is the best "pizza slice", meaning you can actually go to these places and buy a single slice. For the "best pizza" see last year's list here:

http://blogto.com/toronto/the_best_pizza_in_toronto/

Kylie on April 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM

One little known spot.. but I feel has unbelievably good pepperoni pizza is a place called Cici's, it's on Queen, west of Lansdown, not too far from Not My Dog. If you are in the area.. definitely order up a fresh slipce or small pizza. I don't remember prices, but the pies are cheap.

Tanja on April 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Mmmmmm KING SLICE. Mmmm.

Steve Keys on April 9, 2009 at 11:54 AM

This list is an outrage!

As for Massimos - you could put a sewer rat on top of my slice and I'd still eat it.

Laura on April 9, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Good call on Bitondo! Best slices for sure.

kit on April 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM

a couple of years ago you did your best pizza section and i commented on the lack of bintondos on the list. i was then chirped by the admin because NO ONE likes bintondos and it hadnt even been voted for the year before.

safe to say i stopped even bothering reading the resturant lists that you produced because of clear lack of informed production

after reading this excellent list (although amatos doesnt belong anywhere near it) i may have refound my respect for your opinions when it comes to food

Tim on April 9, 2009 at 12:54 PM , replying to a comment from kit

I'm not sure what list or admin you're talking about. I believe the only other Best Pizza list we did was this one and as you can see Bitondo's is on it.

http://blogto.com/toronto/the_best_pizza_in_toronto/

conscious on April 9, 2009 at 1:25 PM

I'll throw my vote down for Mama B's, run by a kindly couple from Trinidad who couldn't be friendlier. The pizza is awesome, the bread is some of the freshest I've had and it all comes together for a very low price of 2.50 per slice. Having lived literally a minute from both Mama B's and Gigi's, while Pizza Gigi gives you an absolutely huge slice for 3 bucks, it's a bit on the greasy side at times. I don't know that I would call Gigi and Mama B's competitors because Pizza Gigi only seems to be open during the wee morning hours like 3am when one of their big ol' greasy slices really hits the spot.

Mama B's all the way.

Disparishun on April 9, 2009 at 1:49 PM

Also, try Ricci's and Ice Cream Patio, both in Woodbridge!

apetimberlake on April 9, 2009 at 3:55 PM

Ricci's makes a mean Veal!

Yeesh on April 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM

You exclude Massimo's because of their "questionable food safety history"?

And exactly how much research did you do into the rest of the list's food safety history?

But the biggest bullshit is putting the abomination that is Amato's at #3 and Cora at #2.

Luuuuuudicrous.

ddt on April 9, 2009 at 5:54 PM , replying to a comment from Yeesh

i agree...Amatos pizza is my ass

Teena in Toronto on April 9, 2009 at 10:14 PM

King Slice used to rock! I'd have a slice for brunch every Sunday.

But I found it's gone downhill in the last couple of years. I keep giving it "one more chance" but it keeps disappointing me :(

And it's nasty if you don't get there just as it's coming out of the oven.

Richard S on April 9, 2009 at 10:15 PM

Supermodel Pizza? They use even less tomato sauce and cheese than Pizza Pizza and the slice tastes acidic. I don't like it one bit.

Bitondos is awesome, though :D

Katie on April 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Vesuvio's is where it's at :)

mitch on April 10, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Gonna have to add my name to the bid for Vesuvio's to get a rank, you guys dropped the ball on that one, shit!

Little Tony's was up there too, until they went belly up.

Sad.

mistrg on April 10, 2009 at 5:28 PM

where is magic oven?

Liz on April 10, 2009 at 5:50 PM

Love Pizzaiola!(Queen West of Bathurst) MMmmmmm...the Bianca and the Godfather are my Faves.

ARod on April 10, 2009 at 9:46 PM

theres a magic oven on broadview just north of danforth. One on wellesly just west of yonge AND one in liberty village.

You've heard of google?
http://www.magicoven.com/


I agree Amatos has gone down hill since Gino Amato died. Pizziaola has filled thier spot. Most of the list have good slices. Its can be tough, sometimes you feel like a gourmet slice with gourmet ingredients, sometimes you feel like greasy cheesy pepperoni slice. Glad to see the BigSlice on here - there pretty much straight up normal slice, but gooood normal

cat on April 11, 2009 at 12:29 AM

Where is Massimo's?

Tom on April 11, 2009 at 5:42 PM

I would recommend Diyar Pizza on Dundas St. West, near Bathurst.

It's a mom and pop place that will custom make your pizza.

Mike on April 13, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Went to Bitondo's on Good Friday as per this site's suggestion and it was THE worst slice I've had in the city. I thought it was going to be great as the place resembled my nonna's kitchen, but boy was I disappointed. I didn't even finish the slice!!! I asked the guy behind the counter twice, to heat up my slice, but he said it was under a heat lamp. It was cold, and tasted like crap. Cici's on Dundas and Bathurst, next to the Poor Alex Theatre, is a favourite for me.

Zach on April 13, 2009 at 5:43 PM

This is not a very good list.

Tim on April 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM , replying to a comment from Zach

Dude. What would your list be?

Zach on April 13, 2009 at 10:06 PM

Massimos still needs to be on it. Rats or no rats, that's the best slice in Toronto.

King Slice and John's Classic above Amato.

Miss Cora's Kitchen has some great and original slices in Kensington.

San Francesco's slices are also really tasty. Way better than Supermodel's. I think Mamma's are also better than Supermodel's but I haven't been to any of their many new locations.

Richard S on April 14, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Fuck Massimo's. Being shut down for health violations is one thing; lying about why you were shut down (saying its a ventilation issue and failing to say it was also 10 other reasons) and hiding the part of the sign that said it was previously closed is low.

I had Bitondo's today, reminded me of when I used to have them everyday when I went to Clinton PS (which was a really shitty school, btw). It was the best Pizza i've had in sometime, and its cheaper and larger than the bread with a teaspoon of tomato sauce that PizzaPizza calls a slice.

Jimbo Jones on April 14, 2009 at 6:15 PM

No love for Martino's?? Right beside The Pour House, Davenport and Dupont. GREAT 'za, slice or delivery. Trust.

somechick on April 15, 2009 at 2:04 AM , replying to a comment from Tom

that place is creepy. I feel like a child molester is going to jump out of there each time i walk by.

tops to MB on April 16, 2009 at 8:52 PM

How come no one has mentioned Mangia e Beve on King at Ontario St? They do a mean twelve inch, and the staff are amazing to boot.

gloria on April 17, 2009 at 9:27 AM

The best pizza ever, my kids go crazy for the clasic pizza!!!!!!!!!on college

Teena in Toronto on April 28, 2009 at 11:45 PM

We tried Bitondo on Saturday for the first time (and took 'em to the Monarch). HUGE yummy slices and soooo cheap! I'll be back!

Justin on May 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM

whole foods pizza... one of the best. Not the one @ the cafe but the actual grocery store.

Chris on May 17, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Ciccio's, Dundas and Bathurst...

jax on May 19, 2009 at 6:40 PM

yeah, Vesuvio's is the bestest for sure. no doubts about that.

Z on May 24, 2009 at 8:37 PM

Massimo's Pizza is THE BEST PIZZA IN TORONTO! They should be on the list as #1

Paul on June 10, 2009 at 4:08 AM , replying to a comment from polyergos

Yes. Danforth Pizza House. The best pizza in Toronto hands down. Made by a man who has been doing it for close to 50 years! Check this place out. In between Jones and Donlands. Small place so keep your eyes open.

Samantha on June 25, 2009 at 4:10 PM , replying to a comment from polyergos

Agreed, best pie and slice in town!

Brad on July 9, 2009 at 4:51 PM

I noticed that there is relatively slim-pickings for deep dish pizza in the "Best Pizza Category" which is pretty disappointing. I actually looked on the Montreal version of "Blog T.O.'s" site called "Midnight Poutine" and there was a review for a Pizza place that looked like exactly the type of Pizza I like. I didn't seem to be able to find anything similar in the top pizza picks for Toronto. I am from Ottawa where many of the pizza places are Lebanese owned and man can I say they make the best pizza which looks similar to the one in Montreal (in my opinion, I'm not starting a debate). I do like thin crust once and a while but I will post a link to the place in Montreal to show you what I'm talking about. Check out the pictures, this is REALLY thick pizza. If anyone can recommend something similar in Toronto (preferably near downtown but anywhere is fine) I would be ecstatic. Here is the link: http://www.midnightpoutine.ca/food/2008/09/more_pizza_love_miteras_pizzeria/
Thanks so much!

Daniel on July 11, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Never forget SCOTT of "Mandanto's" (formerly "Amato") at yonge/eglinton: "Cheese is money. Money is cheese."

Matt K on July 16, 2009 at 4:45 PM

Mama B's is no longer open as of July 2008. Signs prior to the close said they were moving, but not where to.

Jerry on July 17, 2009 at 1:27 PM , replying to a comment from Brad

You're SOL if u want Chicago style deep-dish pizza in town. There once was a Pizza Uno downtown that served it up real good but it's been closed for years. I heard of a good spot in Hamilton but why would u bother to go there.

Dan Contogiannis on August 5, 2009 at 5:03 PM

Man, I really do love this blog.. the best of stuff in Toronto!

I need more!!!!

CL on August 6, 2009 at 11:34 AM

looks like a fire took place at Massimo's, hopefully they will be up and running again? anyone know what happened?

RV on August 11, 2009 at 4:00 PM , replying to a comment from Steve Keys

...ah...no other rats in Toronto? U probably have eaten contaminated food unknowlingly food in many a prestine location...note Massimo's would still be THE BEST if they had kept the 2nd warming oven...a big thanks to the TV Show "Restaurant Makeover" for starting the demise at Massimo's

Amanda on August 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM

Classico Louie's Pizza on Yonge north of Eglinton has spectacular pizza with a nice thin crust, and amazing vegetarian options. Perfect for me! Also it seems, perfect for Joe Peschi, Robbin Williams, and Eugene Levy!

Mezimeen on August 20, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Massimo's is #1 people. Word.

Mike on September 5, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Old Man Pizza in Parkdale!
Very cheap, 2 slices and a pop for under 3 bucks. It's really tasty and the staff are very nice.

Infamous Ray on October 14, 2009 at 2:40 PM

Best pizza in Toronto? Easy -- go to Pearson and hop the next plane to New york.

Prince of Ronces on November 4, 2009 at 10:39 PM

It's not my favorite list.. I could see making a case for most though.. but SUPERMODEL?? c'mon. That's garbage dump pizza.

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Maria on November 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM

WTF?? Cora was AWFUL. I mean, I realize the pizza in Toronto is -awful- but come on.

connor on November 19, 2009 at 6:28 PM

Oak Park Deli Across from D.A Morrison Middle School

Betty Seshpape on November 29, 2009 at 8:09 PM , replying to a comment from Human Fly

I agree, Pizza Pizza is always uncooked and tastes like the smell of wet dog. Massimos is closed for some reason and I'm sad becuase its definitely the best pizza in tdot!

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