In a city where restaurants seem to open or close every month, Lorenzo’s Pizzeria has been doing the same thing for nearly two decades — quietly turning out tasty, dependable, no-nonsense New York–style pizza for the people who live nearby.

Tucked into a shopping center near Elon Park, Lorenzo’s feels like the kind of place families stop after practice and neighbors pop into without overthinking it. It doesn’t need flash or gimmicks, just stacks of pizza boxes ready for pickup and the unmistakable aroma of baked dough and melted cheese greeting you at the door.

The walls are covered in New York sports memorabilia, reinforcing that this is a shop that knows exactly what it is.

The 18-inch pie here has become a regular stop for us, especially after weekday practices, and for good reason: The crust is the star.

It has a beautifully well-done undercarriage with just the right crunch and minimal flop. It folds the way a New York slice should, with a slight snap but no brittleness.

The sauce leans slightly sweet, balancing perfectly with stretchy mozzarella and delivering a bite that keeps you reaching for the next slice. A few well-placed char marks underneath seal the deal.

Two open pizza boxes sitting on a dark dining table. One contains a traditional round cheese pizza, while the other holds a rectangular “Grandma style” pizza topped with fresh tomato sauce and basil. A metal pizza server and a parmesan shaker are in the foreground. At Lorenzo’s in Charlotte, we ordered way too much pizza for two people but we are glad we got them both. Jamie Graziano CharlotteFive

We recently heard how good the grandma pie is and are slightly ashamed to admit we waited this long to try it. The chunky sauce eats more like a bright marinara than a traditional pizza sauce, layered generously with minced garlic and fresh chopped basil. It’s bold, fragrant and completely different from the classic round pie — in the best way.

A cook in a red polo shirt and baseball cap uses a long wooden pizza peel to slide a fresh pizza into a large, industrial stainless steel deck oven in a professional kitchen setting. How many pizzas could Lorenzo’s in Charlotte make at once with all those ovens? Jamie Graziano CharlotteFive

Lorenzo’s is more than just a slice shop, and it has a surprisingly deep menu. The spinach roll is a go-to, and Tristan swears by the tiramisu. We always say we’re going to try the pasta next time, but we can’t quite get past the pizza.

For more than 18 years, Lorenzo’s has quietly built something that’s harder to achieve than hype: consistency. In a city packed with new spots and constant buzz, this South Charlotte staple just keeps making really good pizza.

And, that’s exactly what you want in your go to neighborhood pizza joint.

Location: 16721 Orchard Stone Run Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28277

Menu

Cuisine: Pizza

Instagram: @lorenzos.pizzeria

Two open pizza boxes sitting on a dark dining table. One contains a traditional round cheese pizza, while the other holds a rectangular “Grandma style” pizza topped with fresh tomato sauce and basil. A metal pizza server and a parmesan shaker are in the foreground. At Lorenzo’s in Charlotte, we ordered way too much pizza for two people but we are glad we got them both. Jamie Graziano CharlotteFive

Tristan Graziano, a Weddington High School student, is plotting how to rule the world, when he isn’t on the lacrosse field or hanging with his friends. Jamie Graziano, aka The GrazFather, is a graduate of the University of Florida, an employee of a Fortune 500 company and a dad who dreams of starting his food review and travel website TheGrazFather.com. He can be reached at jamie@thegrazfather.com or on Instagram @thegrazfather.

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