Must-Try Texas Pizza Joints Across the State

Home Slice Pizza, Austin, TX

Home Slice Pizza in Austin is an “independent neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic NY-style pizza-by the pie or by the slice,” according to their website. The dine-in menu is extensive, offering salads, subs, calzones, and pizza. Make your own or order one of their “Tries and True Pies,” including the Margherita, white pie with spinach, or eggplant pie. The slices are huge, so follow the directions on their menu for how best to fold up and chow down.

Star Pizza, Houston, TX

Star Pizza has been family-owned since 1976 and is consistently ranked among Houston's top pizza restaurants by The Houston Press. Now, with two locations, Star Pizza offers personal and gluten-free pizzas, specialty pizzas, pizza by the slice, create-your-own pizzas, pasta, and other Italian entrees.

Brooklyn’s Best Pizza and Pasta, Arlington, TX

Brooklyn’s Best Pizza and Pasta brings the flavors of New York to Arlington. The casual atmosphere is perfect for the whole family. Go for the New York-style, deep-dish, or Sicilian-style pizza. Not feeling pizza tonight? Try one of their strombolis or subs. See why Brooklyn’s Best Pizza and Pasta has been in business for twenty years.

Pie Society, San Marcos, TX

Pie Society has a stylish vibe going for it, as well as fantastic food. Their signature pizzas have fun (fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and basil) and the Eternal Flame (deli-sliced Canadian bacon, fresh jalapeno, and pineapple). Feel free to build your own pie, but whatever you do, make sure to add a baked egg as a topping. Calzones, subs, and salads round out the rest of the menu.

Palio’s Pizza Café, Multiple locations

Palio’s Pizza Café boasts an authentic Italian experience at its four locations, in Denton, Grapevine, Rockwall, and Rowlett. They only use the freshest ingredients available. While the menu may differ slightly from location to location, you can always count on scrumptious pies, calzones, and special deals. Ask about the pizza of the month for something a little different, or go with one of the established options, like Grace’s Alfredo (served with alfredo sauce, roasted chicken, fresh spinach, fresh mushrooms, mozzarella, and cheddar).

Olivella’s, Multiple locations

Rachel Ray has called Olivella’s pizza,” The most incredible pizza you’ll ever eat!” USA Today, the Dallas Morning Star, Star Telegram, and D Magazine seem to agree, having listed it among the best pizza in country. Who are we to argue, especially with pizza options like Black Truffle (house-made mozzarella, speck, mushrooms, truffle oil, and black pepper) or the Breakfast Pizza (house-made mozzarella, sauce, bacon, sausage, and eggs)? Give them a go. 

Big Lou’s Pizza, San Antonio, TX

Big Lou’s award-winning pizza is notable for just how huge it is. USA Today College recognized it in part for its size range, which starts at 10 inches and goes all that way up to 42 inches. Get your pizza with up to five toppings, or try one of the white pizza or barbecue pizza. The 10-inch calzones are enough for several meals and the wings make you second guess the quality of every other wing you’ve ever had. Don’t forget a cannoli for dessert.

Italiano’s New York Style Pizza, Temple, TX

Italiano’s brings some of the best New York-style pizza to the fine folks of Temple. The extensive menu includes subs, calzones, Stromboli’s, pasta, specialty pizzas, and customized pizzas. Catering is available for any occasion, in addition to dine-in, call-in, and carry-out options. Make sure to check their website before ordering for deals of the day.

Urban Crust Wood Fired Pizza, Plano, TX

Urban Crust Wood Fired Pizza has a third-floor rooftop “ice bar” called 32 Degrees, in addition to their main pizza joint. You’ll find staples like the margherita, but you’ll also have the chance to try the Black and Blue pizza (basil pesto, wood-fired sirloin, baby portobellos, caramelized onions, bleu cheese).

Tony C’s, Multiple locations

Tony C’s has two locations, one in Bee Caves and one in Austin. The food menu is tried-and-true Italian, with authentic recipes handed down through a generation of chefs. You’ll find your favorite appetizers, like garlic knots, as well as some items you might not have tried, like bacon-wrapped figs. Eleven specialty pizzas, as well as Italian dishes like homemade lasagna, subs, pasta, and salads, make the menu feel full. You’ll be sure to leave fully satisfied as well.

Key Insights at a Glance

• Everything’s bigger in Texas, including pizza.
• Home Slice Pizza in Austin offers authentic NY-style pizza.
• Star Pizza in Houston has been family-owned since 1976.
• Brooklyn’s Best Pizza and Pasta in Arlington brings New York flavors.
• Pie Society in San Marcos has stylish vibes and fantastic food.
• Palio’s Pizza Café offers an authentic Italian experience at multiple locations.
• Olivella’s pizza has been praised by Rachel Ray and various publications.
• Big Lou’s Pizza in San Antonio is known for its huge pizzas.
• Italiano’s New York Style Pizza in Temple offers a variety of Italian dishes.
• Urban Crust Wood Fired Pizza in Plano has a rooftop ice bar.
• Tony C’s in Bee Caves and Austin offers authentic Italian recipes.