Best of Toronto
The Best Pizza Slice in Toronto
The best pizza slice in Toronto is of a category totally separate from the pie. That's because really good pizza by the slice is allowed to be a little greasy, expected to be just a little bit soggy, and sort of enjoyed most that way. Is it wrong to almost anticipate having to do a little grease-sopping before digging in? Probably. In any case, I always find pizza by the slice is especially tempting late at night, when a trip home from the bar is invariably interrupted by the thought of warm crust and gooey cheese.
When it comes to the best pizza slice, bigger is often better and a wide selection is nice to have, but not always necessary. I'm usually content with a classic pepperoni, and a whole lot of napkins on the side.
Here are the best pizza slices in Toronto.
See also:
The best pizza in Toronto
The best Italian restaurants in Toronto
Note: A previous version of this list was published on April 9, 2009. Comments below made up until April 28, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Photos by Jesse Milns and Alyssa Bistonath
King Slice
King Slice certainly lives up to its name in regards to its enormous pizza slices, which are handed over hot and fresh straddling two paper plates. The High Park shop usually offers a few staple slices, which include cheese, pepperoni, deluxe, and hot Arrabiata, costing in the $4.50-$5.00 range including tax. More »
Bitondo Pizzeria & Sandwiches
Bitondo's keeps it simple. Pepperoni slices, $3.00. On Clinton in Little Italy, Bitondo's is known to load up its slices with generous amounts of pepperoni, just the right amount of tomato sauce, and a fresh layer of cheese. The crust is thin, and the serving is huge. More »
Vinny Massimo's
With its fire and sanitation issues in the past, Vinny Massimo now has two locations serving fresh slices including its signature Caprese, a favourite slice made with bocconcini, tomatoes, parsley and basil. You can also expect the regulars such as its margherita, pepperoni, and deluxe, offered for around $4.00 per slice. More »
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 »
Big Slice
The slices are huge and greasy at The Big Slice, and I'm pretty sure they helped me get through university. The Big Slice has veggie, cheese, pepperoni, and other typical slices ready to be devoured for around $4.00 a pop, but I'll admit, it was largely the 3 a.m. entertainment at the Yonge Street location that kept me coming back. More »
Pizza Gigi
So, there are 15-odd drug-related charges against Gigi's owner but you can still get a good slice! And I can vouch for several, which, as far as I know, have stayed relatively the same throughout decades in the Annex. Gigi's pepperoni and pepperoni and mushroom slices are favourites, priced at $3.50, and $3.75 respectively, as well as its margherita, Sicilian, and other slices made with fresh, legal ingredients. More »
Il Paesano
Il Paesano probably has some of the best-priced slices around, at about $2.50 for a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza. In Etobicoke since the 1950's, Il Paesano is a traditional family-run place that makes its tomato sauce fresh from scratch, and, you can just tell, kneads some love into its dough. More »
Express Pizza
Express Pizza's slices are known to satiate the late-night Village crowd. Greasy in the way you're bound to appreciate at 1 a.m., Express offers cheese, pepperoni, veggie, and deluxe slices for $3.75, as well as Hawaiian slices for an extra $0.75. The decor (if you can call it that) is uninspiring, but the slices are definitely satisfying. More »
Discussion
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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.
Where's Vesuvio's on Dundas West? Certainly deserves a spot above all the chains listed here.
http://www.toronto.com/restaurants/listing/000-129-761
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.
Little Tony's was up there too, until they went belly up.
Sad.
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
It's a mom and pop place that will custom make your pizza.
Very cheap, 2 slices and a pop for under 3 bucks. It's really tasty and the staff are very nice.
That's Amaro not Amato
Unbeatable
I had just prior had a slice from Yummy Pizza, which was disgusting (doughy, COLD, cheese with no taste or texture, toppings I literally picked off, oily crust, crusty service). I went from that to heaven.
The slices: there were 8 or so different slices: a few assorted veggies, meats with sausages, etc. I ordered the last slice of a pizza with eggplant (whole beautifully plump and not greasy round slices) garnished with sundried tomatoes and goat cheese. The generous topping of eggplant was flavourful, perfectly cooked so it is soft but not soggy. The sundried tomatoes were sliced into tiny slivers with a huge burst of flavour complementing the tomato sauce (it's a fairly saucy/cheesey slice). The cheese is very stringy and melty, most likely Salerno (not Saputo). The crust is very thin Romolo style (much thinner than Super Model pizza or others and almost like Mama's except without the nasty burnt taste): chewy but also cracker crunchy at the slightly burnt edges.
They have Brio Chinotto (my joy was shared by the staff at this). Very friendly pizzaiolo who immediately greets everyone entering the restaurant. Only one thing kept the pizza from perfect and that was fresh ground black pepper. Oh, and did I mention 2 cheese slices for $5?
Whenever I visit my parents they know what were're having for dinner.
You've heard of Google? Hahahahaha!
Mama's Pizza (Bloor & Jane) does a good slice.
Pizzaiolo (Bloor & Jane) is 'meh', found the 'za to be dry.
Junction:
Vesuvio's is great. But, is it a slice (it's a small square slice)? Very affordible (under $2)
Roncesvalles:
Pizza Flora isn't too bad, great variety and crust. The panzerotti is great!
You can be sure Blog T.O will censor this post and it will never be printed.
http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/fresca-pizza-toronto
Fresca Pizza
302 College St.
Maybe I caught them on an off-day, but I wasn't really taken with their pepperoni slice. Sure it's HUGE, but not the best.
My vote for best? Well let's just say my waistline is just about the only one that's happy that I moved far away from Massimo's and Gigi :)
I actually agree with you.
;)
Pizza Pizza has took a serious decline in the past 10 years or so. I cant remember it ever being as bad as it is now.
Pizza Nova is some good delivery pizza. They're doing something right!
Now I want pizza!
People only like it because it's large and cheap. It tastes like cardboard.
Massimo's is so so so sooooo much better. They have amazing flavour and a great selection, including 3 different vegetarian slices, which I'd get over the meat slices anytime (I'm not vegetarian). The crust is much better than Bitondo's, and overall the slices are ooey, gooey, and greasy in the best possible way.
Another favourite of mine is Ciccio's on Dundas at Palmerston. The key there is to order the bruschetta slice. So much flavour, tasty thin crust, large slice, and only $2.75!
http://www.wesisearch.com/blog/?p=54