Best Pizza in Madison? (Greenbush: transplants, buying, university) - Wisconsin (WI) - City-Data Forum

dmiller91 · 10-04-2012, 09:27 PM

Let me describe what I mean by BEST. This is not easily answered by Madison Magazine.

To me good pizza has a soft fresh crust... not too thick (Rockys) or too thin. It's not crunchy, and it's not deep dish. It's chewy, soft, fresh.

Sauce is definitely marinara, not white sauce or pesto or anything weird like that.

Cheese is fresh mozarella, that strings when you pull a piece out.

Ingredients are fresh.... the whole combo is mouthwateringly tasty.

I had pizza such as this during numerous trips out east, and I realized I didn't have anything local that I've tried that compares. Before I found this deliciousness in my travels, I was quite happy with local offerings.

But maybe I've missed it. Where would you go in Madison to have such a thing? I have not found it at: Pizza Hut, Pizza Pit, Glass Nickel, Papa Johns, Pizzeria Uno or Rocky's. I haven't been to Paissans or Porta Bella in a while, maybe I should go back?

help!

Drewjdeg · 10-04-2012, 10:03 PM

What about bucks pizza on university? The pizza comes cut in little squares, they actually use real cheese, and the crust is nice and thin. You can eat half the pizza without realizing it! Personal experience. Not really east coast style but worth a visit.

I recently got back from Boston and I feel your pain. Nothing beats buying a $1 slice of pizza from a guy who has a heavy Italian accent looks like he's about to kill you. There's nothing to compare it to in Madison.

dmiller91 · 10-04-2012, 10:18 PM

Yes, I believe you understand.

I'll check out Bucks... and hope you are wrong with your last sentence...

br7or13 · 10-05-2012, 02:59 AM

UW alum here, 15 years removed from Madison. I vaguely recall a little pizza joint on State right off the Square where they'd try and get rid of all their remaining slices at bar time. We'd haggle and argue with em, like 3 lg. slices for $2. When you're absolutley smashed, it's the best pizza in the Universe. Also liked Pavlov's and Falbo Bros.

ranger17 · 10-05-2012, 05:28 AM

i have to admit our fave 'chain' pizza up there was always Papa Murphy's. As for local spots, we liked Lombardino's on University av, though will admit it's been several years since we've dined there so i cant say if it's still the same as it once was

i smiled when i saw this thread; since we moved to SC the same question pops up here, even more often with all the transplants from the NE down here. Pizza preference can vary wildly from one to another, but it seems to be the one favorite food that is so hard to find when living in a new area.

i actually now prefer the brick oven pizzas that seem to be popping up, and there is a smaller 'chain' we've hit in SC/GA called "Your Pie" where you actually go thru the line and pick everything from crust to cheese (including fresh block mozzerella) to toppings and they make it and bake it on the spot for you.... now that is getting it your own way

Bo · 10-05-2012, 07:14 AM

Although we haven't lived there in a decade and there are probably newer choices in town since then, the aforementioned Buck's was definitely our favorite pizza in Madison.

CincyIowan · 10-05-2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmiller91

Let me describe what I mean by BEST. This is not easily answered by Madison Magazine.

To me good pizza has a soft fresh crust... not too thick (Rockys) or too thin. It's not crunchy, and it's not deep dish. It's chewy, soft, fresh.

Sauce is definitely marinara, not white sauce or pesto or anything weird like that.

Cheese is fresh mozarella, that strings when you pull a piece out.

Ingredients are fresh.... the whole combo is mouthwateringly tasty.

I had pizza such as this during numerous trips out east, and I realized I didn't have anything local that I've tried that compares. Before I found this deliciousness in my travels, I was quite happy with local offerings.

But maybe I've missed it. Where would you go in Madison to have such a thing? I have not found it at: Pizza Hut, Pizza Pit, Glass Nickel, Papa Johns, Pizzeria Uno or Rocky's. I haven't been to Paissans or Porta Bella in a while, maybe I should go back?

help!

Sounds like you should take a trip down to the Quad Cities and try Harris Pizza or any other "Quad City style pizza" places down there.. you wont regret it.

dmiller91 · 10-05-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CincyIowan

Sounds like you should take a trip down to the Quad Cities and try Harris Pizza or any other "Quad City style pizza" places down there.. you wont regret it.

my bad... the quad cities????

I have been up to St. Paul... cannot remember the Italian grocery/deli I went to but they had AWESOME pizza!! It's a 5 hour drive so that kind of sucks on a friday night when you are jonesing for a good NE pizza pie.

I've got bucks on the list, and nope, Papa Murphy's is not even on par. The problem with the uppper end places like Paissans is they try to get all fancy with it... and it loses the original character. Don't need fancy!

I forgot about Lombardinos.

Megan1967 · 10-05-2012, 11:06 AM

Equally good, but different are Roman Candle and Glass Nickel.

michael_ames · 10-05-2012, 04:00 PM

I'm not sure if this is quite the style you're looking for, but the pizza (and really anything I've had) at Greenbush Bar has been fantastic. There are other solid joints for takeout/delivery Friday-night-at-home pizza, but Greenbush is the one place I still think about years after I've moved away.