Pizzeria lauded as one of Toronto's best opening new location
A Toronto pizzeria that a loud fan base has proclaimed one of the best in the city is finally gearing up to expand its footprint.
There are a lot of things about Toronto that make it a great place to live: our diversity, our vibrant arts and culture scenes, and our improving public transit systems. But, perhaps best of all, depending on where your values lie, is the sheer number of great pizzerias that call the city home.
We've got scores of award-winning pizzaiolos, like Ryan Baddeley (Badiali) and Paulo Guerra (Lambretta Pizzeria) and local chains, like Maker, Blondie's and North of Brooklyn, that blow their big international competitors out of the water. Everyone in Toronto's got a favourite pizza place and, more often than not, it's really good.
For scores of Leslieville residents, Slowhand Pizza has been one such local pizza staple since 2022, or since before then if you were really in the know.
Serving up square-shaped sourdough slices inspired by the flavours of Italy, Detroit and San Francisco, Slowhand has consistently upheld its status both as a hidden gem and as what is perhaps one of the best pizza spots in the city.
Of course, it's subjective, and it also heavily depends on your relationship with dough, but the crispy, cheesy crust and perfectly-shaped pepperonis of a Slowhand pie are hard to argue against.
After four years tucked away in its Pape Ave. location, more people in Toronto will soon be able to try Slowhand for themselves, as the pizzeria prepares to open a second location in an entirely new neighbourhood.
Slowhand's new stomping grounds are a far cry from Leslieville, where the business cut its teeth, though.
This spring, Slowhand is opening its sophomore location around King West and Portland, at 8 Waterloo Terrace.
It's a major departure from the laid-back, quietly cool vibes of Leslieville, but a move that'll expose an entirely new demographic to the pizzeria's already popular pies, nonetheless, and commenters are already thrilled about the big news.
"This is a game changer. No more hour plus transit trips to the east end," one person comments.
"Literally the BEST pizza in the city," writes another.
Slowhand will be sharing more details about when, exactly, they're opening closer to the date through their social media, but, in the meantime, you can secure a slice for yourself at their original location, 99 Pape Ave.
@slowhandpizza/Instagram
