The best New Haven-style pizza (and the overall best): Small\u2019s Pizza<\/a><\/p>\n In the small Connecticut city of New Haven, apizza<\/a> (pronounced \u201cah-beets\u201d) is a complete lifestyle. Locals take great pride in their coal-fired, thin-crust, deeply charred, and asymmetrically sliced pies. This glorious gold standard of regional pizza specialties is tough to find outside Elm City. But thanks to a Connecticut pizzaiolo in Austin, scoring apizza is possible.<\/p>\n Connecticut-style pizza in Austin is a possibility thanks to Small\u2019s. Small\u2019s Pizza<\/p>\n Connecticut native Kelsey Small launched Small\u2019s Pizza<\/a> in 2021 as a pop-up, and later found a temporary home on the grounds of East Austin cafe Mercado Sin Nombre<\/a> before moving to a pop-up counter at Springdale General in Far East Austin. True to tradition, Small\u2019s Pizza only sells whole pies, all of which are asymmetrically sliced, deeply charred, and absolutely irresistible. The smoky crust is perfectly burnished. The sauce is piquant and sprightly. The cheese has just the right amount of pull, and whether you opt for classic toppings like pepperoni or anchovies, a very New Haven choice like sausage and peppers, or one of Small\u2019s Pizza of the Week concoctions (the garlic mashed potato is especially unique), you can\u2019t go wrong. I have yet to see a white pie topped with clams \u2014 the most famous style of New Haven apizzas, at Small\u2019s, but if and when they finally make that leap, I\u2019ll be there to give it an enthusiastic try.<\/p>\n Pro tip: To get a pie from Small\u2019s, call the shop\u2019s number, which still uses Kelsey\u2019s original 203 New Haven area code, to place your order. Then, pick up your pie at the tiny but efficient counter. Kelsey is planning to relocate in June. Stay up to date by checking the official Instagram page<\/a>.<\/p>\n The best New York-style pizza: Allday Pizza<\/a><\/p>\n What makes a real New York slice? A thin hand-tossed crust; a light spread of tomato sauce; a layer of grated mozzarella (plus optional toppings); and foldability. Most importantly, New York pizza is generally meant to be sold by the slice, which involves a deep level of lore. New Yorkers tend to eat their pizza on the go, so slices must easily fold in half so they can consume them while rushing down the sidewalk or the subway station stairs, and if the cost of a subway fare exceeds the average price of a slice of pizza, New Yorkers might actually start to panic).<\/p>\n With two locations in Central Austin, Allday Pizza is known for its expertly made pizzas with flexible, flavorful crusts, all available by the slice or in whole pie form. In proper New York form, Allday\u2019s hefty slices crease perfectly lengthwise down the middle when bent. Still, they are seemingly larger than the typical New York slice (the only exception might be the gigantic versions sold at Koronet<\/a> near Columbia University, but hey, everything\u2019s bigger in Texas). The balance of sauce, cheese, toppings, and crust is spot-on, and even though I\u2019m in South Austin (pssst, Allday, we\u2019d love a location down here!), my New Yorker heart will surely bring me back to Allday Pizza on a regular basis.<\/p>\n The best New Jersey\u2013style pizza: Pedroso\u2019s Pizza<\/a> A Trenton-style tomato pie from Pedroso\u2019s Pizza. Pedroso\u2019s Pizza<\/p>\n The Trenton tomato pie is New Jersey\u2019s signature, and yes, Pennsylvanians might try to claim it, too., Anyone who loves the tangy, garlicky, slightly sweet flavor of a good tomato sauce will understand why, but they aren\u2019t identical. Both feature a swirl of tomato sauce on top of the pizza cheese, which is the star of the tomato pie show, but where Philly\u2019s pie is square-shaped and thick, the Trenton pie is thin, crispy, and circular.<\/p>\n New Jersey takes rightful pride in their sweet, tangy, and juicy homegrown tomatoes, so their claim to the tomato pie feels justified. Such a niche pizza in Austin can be hard to find, but Pedroso\u2019s Pizza<\/a>, located next to Lala\u2019s Little Nugget in Crestview, does Trenton tomato pies justice. The crust has just the right level of char and is topped with a smooth tomato sauce with a whisper of sweetness, and a springy, crackly layer of mozzarella. Beyond the tomato pie, Pedroso\u2019s also slings New York-style pies and thin, square-shaped \u201cGrandma\u201d pies, a Long Island invention named for the nonnas who baked their crispy, olive oil-laden pizza crusts on sheet pans.<\/p>\n More regional pizzas in Austin that are worth a try:<\/p>\n Deft Pies<\/a>: Chicago is known to take its pizza seriously. Some will assert that deep dish pizza isn\u2019t pizza (IMO, it\u2019s lasagna with a crust), but tavern-style pizza is the Windy City\u2019s underrated gem. Think: ultra-thin, snackable crust, cut into crispy squares meant to eat with a cold beer. The best place to grab one is, appropriately, at a brewery. Deft Pies, located in Old Gregg\u2019s Brew Company<\/a>, makes a stellar version. Chef John Bates, formerly of Interstellar BBQ<\/a>, turns out pies like the zingy Southside, topped with red sauce, Italian sausage, giardiniera, mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan.Jet\u2019s Pizza<\/a>: Yes, Jet\u2019s is a national chain, and there are other Detroit-style pizza spots in Austin (VIA 313<\/a> is a noteworthy Austin-born brand) But ask any Detroiter in Austin, and many will tell you there is no better place to go for pizzas that taste like home. With five locations in Austin, homesick Detroiters and curious pizza lovers can indulge in square-shaped pies with crunchy crusts, abundant stretchy cheese, and an assortment of toppings, including the ever-popular \u2018roni (pepperoni) cups.![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Smalls-pizza.jpeg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/XMICWJKPRQGGJL3Z2AP3CBGF.webp.jpeg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n