Every college students can agree that beer, instant ramen, and pizza are our top three college foods. Also, what we can all agree on is that there is at least one great pizza place in every college town around the United States. Whether is for a later night snack, hangover breakfast or an actual dinner, pizza is always a great choice. That's why I tried 10 pizzerias in Gainesville, Florida to discover delicious flavors, fresh ingredients, and cheesy drooling goodness.
1. Satchel's Pizza
Meat Lover Pizza
Isabella Niño
Satchel's Pizza is a place you should not miss, opened on March 7, 2003, this place plays with all your senses, from delicious pizzas, calzones and much more to try. The sensation and the eye are captivated by the incredible environment that this place has, whether it is sitting in a van, under a plane or even in a greenhouse. Enjoy and appreciate this place, not only for its incredible food but for its local art, homemade soft drinks, and occasional live music.
Born in Gainesville, studied in Jacksonville and always returning to the place he calls home, Satch, an artist who unified his two passions of pizza and art, brings an incredible experience to all your senses, by acquiring experience as a server for a local Italian restaurant in Gainesville, he felt inspired to open what is now Satchel's Pizza.
2. Italian Gator
Italian Gator
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/the-best-pizza-in-gainesville-is-finally-back
Selling high-quality pizza by the slice, this place has created the original and distinctive style that makes it stand out from the rest. Right by midtown and a perfect spot to go after a late drunken night. The freshness of the sauce, the thin crispy crust, and cheesy goodness all over make the flavors unique and delicious. Not just serving classic pizza by the slice, the menu has more to it, you can order a Supreme Pie which has pepperoni, sausage, onions, green pepper, and mushrooms or head on Wednesday's for their white pizza specials that are covered in spinach, ricotta and mozzarella instead of tomato sauce.
3. Leonardo's By the Slice
Leonardo's Pizza by the Slice
https://www.thrillist.com/venue/eat/miami/restaurants/leonardos-pizza
A Gainesville tradition that keeps getting better every time, fast friendly service, great pizza, cold beer, and delicious garlic knots. Their huge slices come in a thin and thick crust with your choice of toppings. Leonardo's also has a "slice of the day", so make sure to check their website to see if your favorite pizza is being featured that day.
4. Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
Great location and delicious pizza, Piesanos are as close to "real" tastes of Italian food as you can get, either for a romantic dinner, a large group or a quick bite. Their wood-fired pizza crust pairs perfectly with your choice of classic toppings, or if you are not sure what to order their 29 pre-set gourmet specialty pizza options ranging from Meatball Ricotta to BBQ Chicken. Is just a matter of choosing the one you like the best.
5. Mod's Pizza
BYOP and a side of Chocolate Milkshake
Isabella Niño
A super fast-casual pizza restaurant chain located in a very ideal spot on University Ave. makes it perfect for a quick bite. Artisan-style pizzas and salads individually sized, made in front of you and ready in just minutes. Choose from over 30 toppings with the friendliest staff that yells welcome to anyone who enters. From daily hand pressed dough, to roasted vegetables and a large variety of fresh ingredients, this is a delicious pizza place you must try.
6. Big Lou's NY Style Pizzeria
https://www.groupon.com/deals/big-lou-s-new-york-style-pizzeria
One of Gainesville's favorite pizza spots, Big Lou's is the closest you'll get to New York City pizza metropolitan style. Choose between single pizza slices costing 40 cents each topping or if you are feeling adventures enough have any of their 14 specialty pizzas, BBQ Chicken, Bacon Cheeseburger or Chicken Pesto. You can expect crispy crust, good cheese, and a robust tomato sauce.
7. MidCi- The Neapolitan Pizza Company
https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/restaurants/article219785585.html
Like a trip to Italy, MidiCi offers a variety of experiences. From its fresh, natural, mostly non-GMO high-quality ingredients, this combination creates the authentic Neapolitan pizza just for you. Famous for its chewy and crispy dough, crushed non-GMO Italian peeled tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, the classic Neapolitan pizza exalts in flavor. And if you still have room for more the Nutella Calzone is a must.
8. Humble Food Fire
This place is a twist from your traditional restaurant, it's a Food Truck! You can find Humble Pie set up around different locations. Check out their website to see new upcoming events so you can keep track of their whereabouts. A 1000 degrees wood-fired pizza oven on a truck, makes classic Neapolitan style light, thin pizza crust. Mostly local, organic and seasonal produce for their pizzas makes it fresh and high-quality.
9. 1000 Degrees
Similar concept to Mod's Pizza, this fast-casual pizza franchise has a convenient bar style ordering. At a temperature of 1000 degrees, the custom revolving Neapolitan brick oven rotates your pizza across the flames to be ready in just 2 minutes. To make your customize pizza they offer a variety of fresh ingredients to choose from, their delicious meats, cheeses, and veggies pile atop to make the best-tasting pizza. They also have interesting signature pizzas, like the bacon mac n' cheese Neapolitan pizza in case you're not in the mood to get creative.
10. Five Star Pizza
Big Pepperoni Pizza
Isabella Niño
Bigger, Better, Faster! A tradition that Five Star Pizza started back in 1988, this place delivers fast delicious pizza, any time of the day or night. Established in Gainesville soon it became the University of Florida student's favorite. Delivering XL pizza with the best ingredients, cheese from Wisconsin and fresh packed tomatoes from California and hand-tossed fresh-made dough makes this pizza very special.
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