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The best pizza in Lakeland: we read 4,679 reviews so you can just order (2026)
Twenty-five places worth a drive, ranked after a deep read of what locals actually say about the best pizza in Lakeland.
The Local Desk · Lakeland, FL · October 10, 2026
Key facts
Palace Pizza Downtown tops this list of 25 places in Lakeland, FL, ranked from 22,312 Google reviews, October 10, 2026. Cross-checked against 3 outside rankings. Nobody pays to be listed.
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palace Pizza Downtown | 4.6★ | 3,592 | Best for downtown walk-ins |
| 2 | Pizza Odyssey | 4.7★ | 288 | Best for crispy crust |
| 3 | 716 Pizza Joint | 4.6★ | 618 | Best for Buffalo expats |
| 4 | By The Chef Pizza | 4.7★ | 343 | Best for something different |
| 5 | Primo's Pizza | 4.5★ | 919 | Best for takeout |
| 6 | Jet's Pizza | 4.5★ | 784 | Best for delivery night |
| 7 | KC's Artisan Pizza and Wine Bar | 4.6★ | 674 | Best for a date night |
| 8 | MJ's Pizza & Wings | 4.4★ | 213 | Best for a quiet lunch |
| 9 | The Joinery | 4.6★ | 2,846 | Best for indecisive groups |
| 10 | Calogero's Pizzeria | 4.7★ | 734 | Best for a short road trip |
| 11 | J. Burns' Pizza Shop | 4.5★ | 1,005 | Best for crust restrictions |
| 12 | Solorzano's Pizzeria Lakeland Square Mall | 4.5★ | 214 | Best for a mall break |
| 13 | Il Forno Italian Restaurant Southside | 4.5★ | 1,501 | Best for mixed appetites |
| 14 | Palace Italian Restaurant north | 4.4★ | 1,922 | Best for a family sit-down |
| 15 | Palace Southside | 4.5★ | 805 | Best for big orders |
| 16 | Cicala's Pizzeria & Restaurant | 4.7★ | 459 | Best for kids |
| 17 | Pizzeria Valdiano | 4.3★ | 764 | Best for a quick slice |
| 18 | Stage 201 | 4.7★ | 403 | Best for live music |
| 19 | Pizza Brothers | 4.7★ | 238 | Best for a cozy dinner |
| 20 | Mo’s Pizza Kitchen | 4.7★ | 164 | Best for a quiet find |
| 21 | Berkley Pizza & Wings | 4.6★ | 206 | Best for pizza and wings |
| 22 | Esposito Pizza | 4.5★ | 975 | Best for a full dinner |
| 23 | Sorrento Pizzeria & Restaurant | 4.5★ | 277 | Best for budget nights |
| 24 | ABC Pizza House | 4.4★ | 2,248 | Best for a fast lunch |
| 25 | Sweet Missions | 4.8★ | 120 | Best for a sweet finish |
Lakeland's pizza is better than its reputation, and the reason is simple: this is a New York-slice town with a few wood-fired and Detroit-style outliers crashing the party, and the good stuff is spread from South Kentucky Avenue out to Duff Road, Auburndale and Plant City. If you only eat downtown, you are missing half of it.
Here is how this list was built. We read 4,679 reviews across 150 places (100 each for the 55 contenders); 1,102 reviews specifically mention pizza; we checked 3 outside rankings for "best pizza in Lakeland" (theledger.com, google.com/search, google.com/maps) and 16 of our 25 appear on at least one; we scanned 207 TikTok and Instagram posts about pizza in Lakeland and 8 of the 25 are named in at least two; 22,312 Google reviews stand behind the 25 places listed; list average 4.57★ vs. category average 4.65★; about 480 people a month search "best pizza lakeland". The order came from reading what people wrote about the pizza, not from how famous the name is.
1,965
reviews read
22,312
Google reviews behind the list
4.57★
list average
city average 4.65★
480
monthly searches for “best pizza lakeland”
What reviewers mention most across the list: garlic knots (487) · ramen (219) · greek salad (196) · outdoor seating (186) · stromboli (162) · pizza (161)
- 1
Palace Pizza Downtown
★★★★★ 4.6 · 3,592 Google reviews114 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 · 39 of 57 reviews read mention pizza (≈2,458 overall) · on 3 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search, google.com/maps) · social proof: 12 TikTok/Instagram posts (7 TikTok, 5 Instagram) · 2.9 km from downtown
Best for downtown walk-insgarlic knotsoutdoor seatingpizza by the slicenew york style pizzaThe downtown anchor on South Kentucky Avenue, where 39 of the 57 reviews we read name the pizza, usually the New York-style rounds and the by-the-slice counter. Inexpensive, busy, with sidewalk seating and garlic knots, stromboli and cannoli filling out the order.
Order this: A New York slice, garlic knots, cannoli after
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- 2
Pizza Odyssey
★★★★★ 4.7 · 288 Google reviews811 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801 · 126 of 144 reviews read mention pizza (≈252 overall) · on 3 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search, google.com/maps) · social proof: 9 TikTok/Instagram posts (5 TikTok, 4 Instagram) · 2.3 km from downtown
Best for crispy crustpiestoppingscheesy breadhomemade ranchTucked inside Depot 303 on East Palmetto Street, and 126 of the 144 reviews we read talk about the pizza itself: thin, crispy, not greasy, with homemade ranch on the side. Reviewers name the Nate Special and the Sweet Thai Chili pie, and one couple put dinner and drinks for two at $23.00 with leftovers.
Order this: Nate's Special or the Sweet Thai Chili pizza
“Great pizza hiding in Depot 303! We had the Sweet Thai Chili pizza and will definitely be returning”
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- 3
716 Pizza Joint
★★★★★ 4.6 · 618 Google reviews1950 S Combee Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801 · 9 of 14 reviews read mention pizza (≈397 overall) · on 3 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search, google.com/maps) · about 110 searches a month for its name · social proof: 3 TikTok/Instagram posts (1 TikTok, 2 Instagram) · 5 km from downtown
Best for Buffalo expatswingsbeef on wecksubsny style pizzaA Buffalo transplant on South Combee Road where the NY-style pies share a menu with beef on weck, wings and a chicken finger sub, and roughly 397 reviews overall mention the pizza. Cheap, unfussy, and the only place on this list where the sandwich board is a real distraction from the pie.
Order this: Meat lovers pizza with wings on the side
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- 4
By The Chef Pizza
★★★★★ 4.7 · 343 Google reviews1212 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 63 of 77 reviews read mention pizza (≈281 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · social proof: 12 TikTok/Instagram posts (5 TikTok, 7 Instagram) · 1.1 km from downtown
Best for something differentny style pizzadeep dish pizzafocaccia pizzacacio e pepe pizzaThe most inventive pizza kitchen in town: 63 of the 77 reviews we read mention pizza, and they name deep dish, focaccia-style and cacio e pepe pies alongside a straight New York round. It sits on Florida Avenue South just outside downtown, prices stay low, and it is the most-posted local pizza on Instagram we tracked.
Order this: Cacio e pepe pizza, or the focaccia deep dish
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- 5
Primo's Pizza
★★★★★ 4.5 · 919 Google reviews1031 S Combee Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801 · 41 of 70 reviews read mention pizza (≈538 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · about 320 searches a month for its name · 5.1 km from downtown
Best for takeoutphilly cheese steakitalian foodgarlic knotsfriendly ownersA Combee Road counter shop with a very small dining area and actual Italians running it, per reviewers; 41 of the 70 reviews we read mention the pizza, and about 538 do overall. Regulars talk about the crust and cheese blend, the garlic knots and the cannoli, and it pulls roughly 320 name searches a month.
Order this: The Grady Judd pizza, plus garlic knots and cannoli
“the Grady Judd pizza was probably my all-time favorite from any pizzeria”
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- 6
Jet's Pizza
★★★★★ 4.5 · 784 Google reviews3234 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 91 of 118 reviews read mention pizza (≈605 overall) · on 1 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/maps) · about 320 searches a month for its name · social proof: 2 TikTok/Instagram posts · 1.3 km from downtown
Best for delivery nightdeep dish pizzadetroit style pizzawings4 corner pizzaThe Detroit-style square is why this Florida Avenue South shop lands here, and 91 of the 118 reviews we read mention pizza, many of them specifically the eight-piece deep dish and the turbo crust. Delivery is the common order, and reviewers repeatedly say the crust is the point rather than the thing they leave behind.
Order this: Detroit-style eight-piece with turbo crust
“The Detroit style is the best in Lakeland. Very consistent cook level and the crust is incredible. My favorite pizza”
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- 7
KC's Artisan Pizza and Wine Bar
★★★★★ 4.6 · 674 Google reviews6645 Florida Ave S Ste 5, Lakeland, FL 33813 · 54 of 83 reviews read mention pizza (≈439 overall) · on 1 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search) · social proof: 2 TikTok/Instagram posts · 8.3 km from downtown
Best for a date nightvegan optionslavash breadwood fire pizzastuffed mushroomsSouth Lakeland's wood-fired option, out on Florida Avenue South near Highlands, where 54 of the 83 reviews we read mention pizza and the rest talk about lavash bread, hummus, stuffed mushrooms and live music. It is the sit-down, order-a-glass-of-wine end of this list, and vegan eaters get real choices here.
Order this: A wood-fired pie with stuffed mushrooms to start
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- 8
MJ's Pizza & Wings
★★★★★ 4.4 · 213 Google reviews1747 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 51 of 70 reviews read mention pizza (≈155 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · social proof: 2 TikTok/Instagram posts · 2.9 km from downtown
Best for a quiet lunchhot wingsny style pizzagarlic knotsfalafelA small East Edgewood Drive shop that New York transplants keep claiming as their own; 51 of the 70 reviews we read name the pizza, especially the white spinach and ricotta. Weekends get busy around dinner, the garlic rolls come doused in garlic butter, and wings are the usual second order.
Order this: White spinach and ricotta pizza, add extra garlic
“This is the best NY style pizza in Lakeland. Probably the best pizza this NY guy has had in a long while”
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- 9
The Joinery
★★★★★ 4.6 · 2,846 Google reviews640 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801 · 11 of 54 reviews read mention pizza (≈580 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · about 1,300 searches a month for its name · 3.3 km from downtown
Best for indecisive groupsramenvariety of foodfood courtoutdoor seatingThe East Main Street food hall is not a pizzeria, but pizza comes up in 11 of the 54 reviews we read and in roughly 580 overall, which is more than most dedicated shops in town. Come when your group wants ramen, burgers, pizza and a lake view in one building, and expect outdoor seating to fill first.
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- 10
Calogero's Pizzeria
★★★★★ 4.7 · 734 Google reviews148A W Haines Blvd, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA · 49 of 77 reviews read mention pizza (≈467 overall) · on 1 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search) · 23.8 km from downtown
Best for a short road tripWorth the drive to Lake Alfred: individual wood-fired pies, ordered at the counter in an eclectic little room, with 49 of the 77 reviews we read mentioning pizza. Reviewers praise the sauce and the crust, flag weekend special dinners, and the cheesy garlic bread gets named almost as often as the pies.
Order this: An individual wood-fired pie with cheesy garlic bread
“the pizza surprised us—a real pizza! The combination of flavors was perfect! A great sauce and quality ingredients!”
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- 11
J. Burns' Pizza Shop
★★★★★ 4.5 · 1,005 Google reviews2306 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 40 of 59 reviews read mention pizza (≈681 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · 4.1 km from downtown
Best for crust restrictionsthin crust pizzagluten free optionsgarlic knotscrispy crustThe thin-crust specialist on East Edgewood Drive, with 40 of the 59 reviews we read naming pizza and about 681 doing so overall. Gluten-free and cauliflower crusts come up constantly, contemporary Christian music plays in the dining room, and prices sit at the cheap end.
Order this: Thin crust pie; cauliflower or gluten-free on request
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- 12
Solorzano's Pizzeria Lakeland Square Mall
★★★★★ 4.5 · 214 Google reviews3800 US Hwy 98 N Ste 664, Lakeland, FL 33809 · 49 of 80 reviews read mention pizza (≈131 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search) · 8.5 km from downtown
Best for a mall breakgarlic knotswelcoming staffnew york style pizzacrisp crustThe Lakeland Square Mall slice counter, where 49 of the 80 reviews we read mention pizza and the split is sharp: regulars rave about the margherita and sausage pies and the staff, while others balk at mall slice pricing. Best treated as a very good slice stop mid-shopping, not a destination dinner.
Order this: A margherita slice with a garlic knot
“I had a sausage pizza. Was sooo good. Best pizza in Florida!”
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- 13
Il Forno Italian Restaurant Southside
★★★★★ 4.5 · 1,501 Google reviews3615 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 14 of 72 reviews read mention pizza (≈292 overall) · on 3 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search, google.com/maps) · social proof: 2 TikTok/Instagram posts (1 TikTok, 1 Instagram) · 2.1 km from downtown
Best for mixed appetitesgarlic knotsfettuccine alfredochicken parmstromboliA full red-sauce Italian house on Florida Avenue South where pizza is one lane among many: 14 of the 72 reviews we read mention it, against a wall of chicken parm, manicotti and fettuccine alfredo. Order a pie when half the table wants pasta, and start with the garlic knots everyone writes about.
Order this: A pie plus garlic knots and a stromboli
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- 14
Palace Italian Restaurant north
★★★★★ 4.4 · 1,922 Google reviews6120 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809 · 19 of 58 reviews read mention pizza (≈630 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (theledger.com, google.com/search) · about 140 searches a month for its name · 11.7 km from downtown
Best for a family sit-downgarlic knotsstrombolichicken parmalfredoThe US 98 North branch of the Palace family is a sit-down Italian restaurant first, but 19 of the 58 reviews we read still mention pizza, and roughly 630 do overall. Servers get named by name in reviews, portions lean large, and a pie to go is a common move after dinner.
Order this: A pizza to go with the garlic knots
“we got a pizza to go. The food is great”
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- 15
Palace Southside
★★★★★ 4.5 · 805 Google reviews4780 S Florida avenue, Lake Miriam Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813 · 30 of 73 reviews read mention pizza (≈331 overall) · on 1 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search) · about 50 searches a month for its name · 4.5 km from downtown
Best for big ordersgarlic knotstortellini soupstrombolirigatoniThe Lake Miriam-area Palace handles big orders well, including a church pickup of ten pizzas that reviewers wrote up in detail; 30 of the 73 reviews we read mention pizza. Slices run large and New York style, the gluten-free crust gets specific praise, and prices feel fair for the size.
Order this: Large New York slices, gluten-free crust available
“Pretty dope local pizza spot. Fair prices for what you get. Large NY style slices. I enjoyed”
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- 16
Cicala's Pizzeria & Restaurant
★★★★★ 4.7 · 459 Google reviews2977 Duff Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810 · 46 of 73 reviews read mention pizza (≈289 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 14 km from downtown
Best for kidsstromboligarlic knotsny style pizzacannolisNorth Lakeland's Duff Road favorite, carrying a 4.7★ with 46 of the 73 reviews we read naming the pizza, mostly straightforward New York style. There is a kids play area, cannoli and stromboli on the board, and cheap enough pricing that a family dinner does not sting.
Order this: NY-style pie, garlic knots, cannoli for the ride
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- 17
Pizzeria Valdiano
★★★★★ 4.3 · 764 Google reviews1610 Town Center Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803 · 44 of 68 reviews read mention pizza (≈494 overall) · on 2 of 3 rankings we checked (google.com/search, google.com/maps) · about 50 searches a month for its name · 3 km from downtown
Best for a quick slicestrombolinew york style pizzagarlic knotspizza by the sliceTown Center Drive slice shop with huge New York-style slices and a two-slices-and-a-drink special reviewers call good value; 44 of the 68 reviews we read mention pizza. Service reviews swing both ways, so keep it simple, eat in, and ask for the Sicilian or the lasagna pizza if it's out.
Order this: Two slices and a drink special, or the Sicilian
“I'm from NY and this pizza is as close as you're going to get to NY pizza.. it's definitely worth the trip”
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- 18
Stage 201
★★★★★ 4.7 · 403 Google reviews201 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563 · 56 of 74 reviews read mention pizza (≈305 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 16.1 km from downtown
Best for live musicpizzapepperoni noteslive musicgarlic knotsA Plant City room on East MLK Jr Boulevard built around live music, and 56 of the 74 reviews we read still put the pizza front and center, pepperoni most of all. Garlic knots, stromboli and a caprese salad round it out; go on a night with a band and plan to stay.
Order this: Pepperoni pie and garlic knots before the band
- 19
Pizza Brothers
★★★★★ 4.7 · 238 Google reviews213 E Lake Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823 · 52 of 70 reviews read mention pizza (≈177 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 17.6 km from downtown
Best for a cozy dinnergarlic knotsny style pizzacozy atmospherecannolisAuburndale's East Lake Avenue standby, 4.7★ with 52 of the 70 reviews we read naming the pizza, including the stuffed pies. The room reads cozy rather than cavernous, prices are low, and penne vodka and cannoli keep people from leaving right after the last slice.
Order this: Stuffed pizza, garlic knots, cannoli
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- 20
Mo’s Pizza Kitchen
★★★★★ 4.7 · 164 Google reviews1305 E Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563 · 46 of 62 reviews read mention pizza (≈122 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 15.2 km from downtown
Best for a quiet findgarlic knotswingspepperoni pizzacrustA small Plant City kitchen on East Baker Street where 46 of the 62 reviews we read mention pizza, and the talk is about crust, cheese and a plain pepperoni done right. Fewer than 200 Google reviews total, so this is the one on the list your neighbors probably haven't tried yet.
Order this: Pepperoni pie with garlic knots
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- 21
Berkley Pizza & Wings
★★★★★ 4.6 · 206 Google reviews391 S Berkley Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823 · 44 of 60 reviews read mention pizza (≈151 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 14.6 km from downtown
Best for pizza and wingschicken wingsny style pizzapepperoni pizzawelcoming staffSouth Berkley Road in Auburndale, where pizza and wings share top billing and 44 of the 60 reviews we read name the pizza, usually the New York-style pepperoni. Staff get called welcoming again and again, and the cheese steak is the sleeper order.
Order this: NY-style pepperoni with a side of wings
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- 22
Esposito Pizza
★★★★★ 4.5 · 975 Google reviews2803 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33566 · 49 of 80 reviews read mention pizza (≈597 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 16.5 km from downtown
Best for a full dinnergarlic knotscalzonesnew york style pizzachicken parmThe biggest pizza name on the Plant City side of the county line, with roughly 597 of its reviews mentioning pizza and 49 of the 80 we read doing the same. New York-style pies, calzones, chicken parm and tiramisu make it a full dinner rather than a slice run.
Order this: A New York-style pie or a calzone
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- 23
Sorrento Pizzeria & Restaurant
★★★★★ 4.5 · 277 Google reviews2977 Duff Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810 · 33 of 65 reviews read mention pizza (≈141 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 14 km from downtown
Best for budget nightsitalianpricescalzonesny style pizzaA Duff Road neighborhood pizzeria that reviewers like for price and portion, with 33 of the 65 reviews we read naming the pizza and calzones. Opinions split on freshness depending on whether slices have been sitting, so it is at its best ordered hot off a fresh pie.
Order this: Pizza by the slice with a calzone
“Hands down best pizza and calzones around!! Friendly staff and great environment!!”
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- 24
ABC Pizza House
★★★★★ 4.4 · 2,248 Google reviews114 N Alexander St, Plant City, FL 33563 · 22 of 57 reviews read mention pizza (≈868 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · about 170 searches a month for its name · 17.7 km from downtown
Best for a fast lunchgreek saladlarge portionsgyropotato saladAn old-school Plant City diner on North Alexander Street where the Greek salad, gyros and baked spaghetti dominate, but about 868 reviews still mention the pizza and 22 of the 57 we read did. Portions are large, service is fast at lunch, and you can usually walk in without a wait.
Order this: A pizza with a Greek salad on the side
“Had the gyro sandwich and a pizza. Very good on both counts”
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- 25
Sweet Missions
★★★★★ 4.8 · 120 Google reviews2806 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33566 · 24 of 87 reviews read mention pizza (≈33 overall) · on 0 of 3 rankings we checked · 16.4 km from downtown
Best for a sweet finishpizzabubble wafflechicken saladfriendly ownersThe highest-rated place on this list at 4.8★, though only about 33 of its reviews mention pizza, 24 of them in the 87 we read. It is a small family-owned Plant City spot where pizza shares the counter with bubble waffles and chocolate cake, so come hungry for dessert too.
Order this: Pizza first, then a bubble waffle
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If you want the easy answer, Palace Pizza Downtown is it: a slice counter on South Kentucky Avenue, cheap, open to the sidewalk, and named on all three outside rankings we checked. Go to Pizza Odyssey instead when the crust matters most to you and you don't mind hunting for the door inside Depot 303, and point the car toward 716 Pizza Joint on South Combee Road when you want Buffalo on the menu alongside the pie. All three are inexpensive enough that getting it wrong costs you one dinner, which is the best argument we know for just trying all three.