The Community Paper

The pizza types of south downtown


A few months ago, we learned about the different pizza ovens of College Park. In the battle for the best pizza neighborhood in Orlando, we will now learn about the different types of pizza served south of the 408.

Brick & Fire Pizza at 1621 S. Orange Ave. (in a former Pizza Hut), serves pizza made on hand-tossed dough made daily, in-house, using extra virgin olive oil and live yeast beer from Orlando Brewing. A brick oven renders the crust crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Local art graces the walls of this locally owned business (which just opened a second location at the Icon Park on International Drive).

Perhaps you had never heard of Detroit-style pizza until SoDough Square opened at 419 E. Michigan St. From the same folks behind Tin & Taco, SoDough shares dining room space with the aforementioned, serving up square pizzas baked in traditional blue steel pans sourced directly from the Motor City. The thick, caramelized cheese crust may be reminiscent of Chicago-style but is less heavy. Although open till 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, they often run out of dough, so order early.

John & John’s – A Pizza Shop recently opened at 435 E. Michigan St. Owned by brothers Mark and John Cavallini and co-owner John Markaj, their Northeastern-style pizza pays homage to the Cavallinis’ Philadelphia roots and Markaj’s Bronx heritage. Markaj founded the successful Anthony’s Pizza restaurant back in 1997.

Since 2003, Cornerstone Pizza at 1513 E. Michigan St. has sold traditional New York pies by the slice or whole. Baked in a brick oven, pizza choices are straightforward and simple, with options of ranch or bleu cheese sauces for dipping crusts. There’s a walk-up window and a few indoor and outdoor tables. Next!

At 3990 Curry Ford Road, Pizza Bruno (which is opening a new location in College Park), specializes in Neapolitan-style red and white pies with a large variety of authentic Italian cheese and meat options in a wood-fired oven.

There’s also the traditional family-style Italian House Restaurant at 1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive (also in a former Pizza Hut). Since 1989, Italian House has offered a familiar pizza alongside pastas, subs and stromboli.

For those yearning for something more universal, several chains are also represented, including Flippers, Little Caesar’s, Domino’s and Pizza Hut, the last two of which are depicted in an interesting episode of The History Channel’s “The Food That Built America” (spoiler: Domino’s was founded in Ypsilanti, Michigan, while Pizza Hut was founded in Wichita, Kansas).

a pizza

A “Ninety Two” from Pizza Bruno. (LOGAN LAMPHERE)

a pizza shop

John & John’s Pizza Shop on Michigan Avenue. (LOGAN LAMPHERE)

Detroit style pizza

A Detroit-style pizza from SoDough Square. (LOGAN LAMPHERE)

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