Toronto's best pizzeria finally opening second location next month

After earning itself the distinction of Toronto's best pizza restaurant, the much-talked-about Pizzeria Badiali is finally gearing up to open its second location in the city. Pack your stretchy pants, and be prepared to wait in line.

Everyone has their own hot take on which Toronto pizza shop serves up the best slices, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't rank Pizzeria Badiali among the top 10. If the international accolades aren't evidence enough, let the crowd permanently congregated outside its Dovercourt shop be your proof.

In just five years, the pizza shop has ascended to a level of Toronto foodie fame that others, especially anyone in an industry as saturated as pizza, could only dream of. Even though I'm utterly unwilling to wait in a line for longer than half an hour, I'd say the pizza at Badiali is, actually, worthy.

Now, though, the pizzeria is getting a much-needed pressure release, as a long-awaited sister location prepares to open its doors this May.

Though whispers of the pizzeria's incumbent Annex location have been circulating for nearly two years, the restaurant has finally confirmed that, at long last, it's landing on Markham Street on Monday, May 11.

"We are excited to join the Annex neighbourhood, and even more excited about reopening this historic building for people to come have great pizza and hang out with their friends and family," says chef and co-owner Ryan Baddeley.

Taking over the historic building that formerly housed Victory Cafe, the new location promises to be even bigger than the original, boasting indoor seating for 30 people in a 1,400 sq. ft. space. Hopefully, that bodes well for fewer lineups.

As for the menu, while it will feature the exact same lineup of pizzas, dips and salads that have earned Badiali its stripes, the pizzeria is also introducing a special square, thin-crust "Granny-style" pizza exclusive to the Annex location.

"We're very fortunate to have had such a warm reception to our first slice shop and hope to quickly integrate ourselves into this amazing part of Toronto," Baddeley says.

"I've been wanting to offer Grandma-style pizza for a while now, and can't wait for people to come try our version, inspired by both New York Italian and traditional Italian cooking."

Pizzeria Badiali Annex will be located at 581 Markham St.