Your Favorite Pizza in Omaha

guy4omaha · Post by **guy4omaha** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:59 am

I know that selecting a favorite pizza is highly personal and subjective. I also admit that in the two times I have tried Big Fred's Pizza in the past twenty-five years, I did not like it.

Tonight my 17 year old son wanted to try someplace that we haven't tried before. Well that list is a very narrow one. I told him many people in Omaha consider Big Fred's the best in town but I am not among that crowd. He said he wanted to see for himself. I said ok and drove over hoping that my memory of the pizza wasn't accurate and maybe I would be pleasantly surprised.

The place was basically the same and crowded for a Monday night. The onion rings were above average. The salad was below average in that there wasn't much flavor. Then came the pizza.

For the life of me I can't see how anyone can eat that slop let alone rank it number one. The crust is like cardboard. The toppings look good but are flavorless nonetheless. And this is before the grease settles into the cardboard (er, crust) and makes it soggy.

This pizza is a sin against mankind. Okay mabye not mankind but certainly against good pizzas everywhere. I am sorry but it was so frustrating. If I had guest in from out of town, I would be absolutely too embarrassed to let them try this pie.

It did make me appreciate all the other pizza's I have had in my life all the more though. My son had a good time making fun of the pizza though and coming up with sarcastic and malicious advertising jingles for it. The evening will be a memory for us in a twisted sort of way. So I guess all was not lost.

For those of you who somehow like this pizza: Well I guess I will be saving more for you. :;):

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:41 am

I have to say I do like Big Fred's but seldom eat there because of the unpleasant "goes right through me" factor. I think Mama's is a cleaner less greasy Big Fred's. Still, La Casa is king in my book.

SurfOmaha · Post by **SurfOmaha** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:38 am

Why isn't Zio's Pizzeria on this poll? Hasn't it been voted Best Pizza in town by local newspapers? There's even one in the Old Market. ;)

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:26 am

A bunch of us ate at Zio's on Dodge last night. The place was absolutely packed, even a waiting line. And on a Wednesday night! I must say that while the food was "okay" it wasn't as good as it used to be. I think the crust is different from the "old" days. I usually finish every scrap, but left a bunch of the crust last night.

yekratsb · Post by **yekratsb** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:57 pm

My vote is for Roman Coin pizza! Especially the Chicago Syle.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Fri May 28, 2010 5:32 am

La Casa 'za remains a classic

NICHOLE AKSAMIT WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:A medium feeds two to four and costs a modest $13.15.

NICHOLE AKSAMIT WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:The Romano perfumes and permeates the meat, asserting a bold flavor, adding a briny bite and speeding satisfaction: Three slices and you're content.

or maybe all but three slices.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:16 pm

nebport5 wrote:La Casa 'za remains a classic

We made it to La Casa again Friday night. While I really like the pizza, I have tried other items the past several visits, one was a shrimp pasta and last week Chicken Parmesan, both good.

Besides great food, they also have Cardinal Pale Ale, and Lucky Bucket on tap.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:59 am

We went to the Biggest Pizza Rating Party in Omaha History Pt. II tonight at The Waiting Room. About 25 Omaha pizzerias competed for the "Best in Omaha" title. Over 100 reviewers chomped their way through two-bite size pieces from the various pizza places.

For my money, the top 3 were:
1. Sgt. Peffers (and this is the first time I have EVER said anything nice about the place. They rocked with their breakfast pizza)
2. LaCasa (their tried and true hamburger and onion pizza can hardly be beat)
3. Vivace ( their clam/prosciutto/spinach and lord knows what else pizza was very very good)

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:50 am

You know I wouldn't say Zio's is my favorite (prob 3rd or 4th) but it does seem odd that they are not in the poll. I wonder what percentage of the 26% other they make up?

Also just a rhetorical question (but feel free to answer): How do we account for new restaurants in a given poll category? Sure you can add a place but if you've already voted, it skews the results. And speaking of new, should Pitch, Dante or Roman be added?

Granted these polls are not scientific, but restaurants change so why shouldn't the polls? Should there be a poll for each year of a given topic? Close the 2009 thread and open a 2010 Best Pizza in Omaha?

just food for thought :twisted:

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:07 pm

I've only had La Casa once. I can't see where all the hype is from. I found it to be nothing special, but everyone has their preference.

First - Zio's
Second - Mangia's
Third - Lansky's
Fourth - Don Carmelo's

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 1:30 pm

I now live in nyc and I have to say without a doubt franks pizzeria is the closest to real ny pizza omaha has. I really dont know what all the hype about zios is because the pizza isn't even close to real new york pizza.

-adam

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:54 pm

guitarguy wrote:I now live in nyc and I have to say without a doubt franks pizzeria is the closest to real ny pizza omaha has. I really dont know what all the hype about zios is because the pizza isn't even close to real new york pizza.

-adam

The last 2 times I was at Frank's, it was not nearly as good as it had been in the past. On those 2 occasions though, neither of the 2 owners were there. Otherwise, I'd have had Frank's on my list.

Post by **BRoss** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:43 pm

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120615/GO/706159992

Two pizza places have the best pizza in Omaha, according to two cable television networks.

Sgt. Peffer's five-cheese white pizza will be featured this month on the Travel Channel as the city's best pizza. And La Casa Pizzaria on Leavenworth Street has a banner on its building saying that the Food Network has proclaimed its pizza as the city's favorite. What's your favorite?

S33 · Post by **S33** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:49 pm

Brad wrote:
nebport5 wrote:La Casa 'za remains a classic
We made it to La Casa again Friday night. While I really like the pizza, I have tried other items the past several visits, one was a shrimp pasta and last week Chicken Parmesan, both good.

Besides great food, they also have Cardinal Pale Ale, and Lucky Bucket on tap.

I'm guessing you are talking about La Casa on Leavenworth? We recently made it to La Casa "West", and it was absolutely, positively the nastiest, greasiest, poorly made excuse for a pizza I've ever eaten. Will never go there again.

My experiences at the Leavenworth location were much better.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:47 pm

In reality, Ol' Hawkeye has tried almost all of the shops mentioned in this thread. And they're all good in their own way.

But if we're including the entire metro area in the discussion, and not just the Nebraska side of things....then the top of my list would be occupied by Pizza King.

But pizza styles and tastes are so utterly subjective, that it really is a silly argument to get into.

Basically, most of the time, if you're eating pizza.....you're probably doin' alright!

garyomaha · Post by **garyomaha** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:10 pm

Since this thread has gotten a bump, I thought I'd throw in a plug for my new favorite, Ragazzi's. I'm a pizza maniac and keep a list of places we visit, what we like, and what (often sadly) has closed. Out of the blue came Ragazzi's not very long ago...and shot from nowhere to the very top of my favorites. That took quite some doing. The main complaint? PARKING! There's nowhere near enough parking.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:43 pm

guitarguy wrote:My favorite NY slice in Omaha is without a doubt Franks Pizzeria out on 132nd Dodge its the only place that I've had that I think could do business in NY. But I will say that the NY pizza places out here cater to the local love of loading up the pie's with veggies and meat. A true NY slice is just fresh cheese, sauce, crust.. the end.

I have yet to have a NY slice of "pizza" anywhere - and that includes New York City - that's worth eating. I'll take a Totino's Party Pizza over any New York style "pizza" anytime.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:44 pm

HskrFanMike wrote:
guitarguy wrote:My favorite NY slice in Omaha is without a doubt Franks Pizzeria out on 132nd Dodge its the only place that I've had that I think could do business in NY. But I will say that the NY pizza places out here cater to the local love of loading up the pie's with veggies and meat. A true NY slice is just fresh cheese, sauce, crust.. the end.
I have yet to have a NY slice of "pizza" anywhere - and that includes New York City - that's worth eating. I'll take a Totino's Party Pizza over any New York style "pizza" anytime.

It's been my experience that just about any pizza, is good pizza. (unless I'm just a fatas$)

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:20 pm

S33 wrote:
HskrFanMike wrote:
guitarguy wrote:My favorite NY slice in Omaha is without a doubt Franks Pizzeria out on 132nd Dodge its the only place that I've had that I think could do business in NY. But I will say that the NY pizza places out here cater to the local love of loading up the pie's with veggies and meat. A true NY slice is just fresh cheese, sauce, crust.. the end.
I have yet to have a NY slice of "pizza" anywhere - and that includes New York City - that's worth eating. I'll take a Totino's Party Pizza over any New York style "pizza" anytime.
It's been my experience that just about any pizza, is good pizza. (unless I'm just a fatas$)

I agree completely with S33....with the exception of La Casa. Really, really dislike La Casa.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:28 pm

MadMartin8 wrote:I agree completely with S33....with the exception of La Casa. Really, really dislike La Casa.

You don't like the food or you don't like that they supported the recall? I think there are a lot of people that stopped liking them because of the recall.

I like LaCasa, we probably eat there every other month or so.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:30 pm

Brad wrote:
MadMartin8 wrote:I agree completely with S33....with the exception of La Casa. Really, really dislike La Casa.
You don't like the food or you don't like that they supported the recall? I think there are a lot of people that stopped liking them because of the recall.

I like LaCasa, we probably eat there every other month or so.

The food with the exception of their toasted ravioli. I strongly dislike their pizza.

I don't care about the recall (which recall are you even referring to, the mayor I assume?). Politics has zero impact on where I eat.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:33 pm

I know I've said this on the forum before, but I agree about La Casa's pizza.

I've had the Saddle Creak/42nd street location, and it was great. However, La Casa west, I was just as well eating from the drip tray of a George Foreman grill. Not good at all, and when it comes to pizza, as long as there is no spit or pubic hair in it, I'm not hard to please. But that was too much for me.

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:44 pm

Let's get something straight.. I am not insinuating that NY pizza is the end all be all of pizza.. but having lived there and know what 'true' NY pizza tastes like I was only stating that in Omaha there are very few places that come close to what a true NY slice is all about. Honestly my favorite pizza is veggie pizzas and any place that has fresh veggies and solid crust/cheese/sauce is something that I enjoy very much. And yes NYer's think they are gods gift to humanity and anything non NY is the antichrist.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:52 pm

guitarguy wrote:Let's get something straight.. I am not insinuating that NY pizza is the end all be all of pizza.. but having lived there and know what 'true' NY pizza tastes like I was only stating that in Omaha there are very few places that come close to what a true NY slice is all about. Honestly my favorite pizza is veggie pizzas and any place that has fresh veggies and solid crust/cheese/sauce is something that I enjoy very much. And yes NYer's think they are gods gift to humanity and anything non NY is the antichrist.

I've spent a lot of time looking into why some pizzarias become successful and why many others fail, and that is because baking a truly perfect pizza is incredibly difficult, not to mention, having a properly built oven burning at just the right temps, add in: timing is everything. Being able to keep the moisture from the vegetables from dampening the crust, well, there's really only one right way to do it. (obviously there's more to it, also)

By the sounds of it, you've eaten at some legit places in NY. I've toured many of the well-known Chicago pizzarias, but I'm thinking that before I pretend to know what I'm doing, I better visit NY.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:06 pm

guitarguy wrote:Let's get something straight.. I am not insinuating that NY pizza is the end all be all of pizza.. but having lived there and know what 'true' NY pizza tastes like I was only stating that in Omaha there are very few places that come close to what a true NY slice is all about. Honestly my favorite pizza is veggie pizzas and any place that has fresh veggies and solid crust/cheese/sauce is something that I enjoy very much. And yes NYer's think they are gods gift to humanity and anything non NY is the antichrist.

and very few going for NY style. Frank's and Zio's? Pizza is such varied cuisine and highly personal that I think it's really hard to compare beyond styles.

For example, I wouldn't compare La Casa to Zio's or NY style pizza. You wouldn't compare an IPA to a stout. They're both beer and both made with similar ingredients but worlds apart. Compare Dante's to Pitch? Yes. La Casa to Big Fred's or Mama's? Yes.

All in all I think we're fortunate in Omaha to have a lot of great pizza with a variety of styles.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:10 pm

nebport5 wrote:
guitarguy wrote:Let's get something straight.. I am not insinuating that NY pizza is the end all be all of pizza.. but having lived there and know what 'true' NY pizza tastes like I was only stating that in Omaha there are very few places that come close to what a true NY slice is all about. Honestly my favorite pizza is veggie pizzas and any place that has fresh veggies and solid crust/cheese/sauce is something that I enjoy very much. And yes NYer's think they are gods gift to humanity and anything non NY is the antichrist.

and very few going for NY style. Frank's and Zio's?

I think Sam and Louie's as well.

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:27 pm

I think with Chicago way closer and still very much in the Midwest Omaha takes more after Chicago style than any other style. I haven't been to Old Chicago since moving back but I always remember that place being a pretty awesome place to go to if my friends and I wanted good pizza.

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:19 am

S33 wrote:It's been my experience that just about any pizza, is good pizza. (unless I'm just a fatas$)

No wonder Godfather's made a killing, and Night Flight aka Home Team is still in business.

http://www.hometeampizza.com/

Btw. Night Flight aka Home Team Pizza is absolutely the worst pizza I ever had in my life.

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:22 am

Haha yes but at 3am while you're three sheets to the wind drunk it has its place....

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:34 am

Brad wrote: I like LaCasa, we probably eat there every other month or so.

I like La Casa as well. It's not too heavy. One thing I really like about La Casa is their packaging. Absolutely the best pizza packaging to go. If I need to take a pizza to go and take it to some other place with other stuffs to carry, I choose La Casa. Very good balance between the thickness of the crust, and cheese/meat balance. Their crust, even though I didn't care much for it in the beginning kind of has grown on me.

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:35 am

MadMartin8 wrote: I strongly dislike their pizza.

Why do you dislike La Casa's pizza?

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:40 am

S33 wrote: However, La Casa west, I was just as well eating from the drip tray of a George Foreman grill.

Was it Night Flight bad?

S33 wrote: Not good at all, and when it comes to pizza, as long as there is no spit or pubic hair in it, I'm not hard to please. But that was too much for me.

Probably quality control going down due to poor training of the new hires. I have seen that happen with Zio's at old market as well several years back, but eventually they fixed it. Got rid of the new hires who were not doing the work unless supervised directly by the owner/pizza master.

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:14 am

guitarguy wrote:Let's get something straight.. I am not insinuating that NY pizza is the end all be all of pizza..

Actually you know what, I think NYC style pizza has the best potential of being the best pizza if done right. Since NYC style relies more on refinement/finesse of a few ingredients, (unlike typical mid-western, Cali style, or heaven forbid, Chicago style), the pizza master can concentrate better when selecting ingredients and baking them.

There are also less things to go wrong when you have just a few instead of many. Also being thinner, one can actually taste ingredients better than thicker pizzas.

Problem is I had too many mediocre NYC style pizzas. (Those that got the proportion/thinness right, but failed at selection and execution.)

guitarguy wrote:...... but having lived there and know what 'true' NY pizza tastes like I was only stating that in Omaha there are very few places that come close to what a true NY slice is all about. Honestly my favorite pizza is veggie pizzas and any place that has fresh veggies and solid crust/cheese/sauce is something that I enjoy very much.

Have you tried Sgt. Peffers's five cheese pizza? It comes as close as to NYC style pizza in Omaha that I have tried. Thin, but good crust, and high quality ingredients.

guitarguy wrote: And yes NYer's think they are gods gift to humanity and anything non NY is the antichrist.

Well, they do love Portland, though, don't they? Food, especially, Thai food and coffee from Portland.

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/03/on ... pok_ny.php

http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/56145/

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:20 am

nebport5 wrote:and very few going for NY style.

For the same reason why 'Traditional, Family-style, Italian-American Steak/Pasta houses' reigned supreme so long. Perceived value, too thin, too skinny.

nebport5 wrote:For example, I wouldn't compare La Casa to Zio's or NY style pizza. You wouldn't compare an IPA to a stout. They're both beer and both made with similar ingredients but worlds apart. Compare Dante's to Pitch? Yes. La Casa to Big Fred's or Mama's? Yes.

...and Night Flight to Godfather's, and that fake 'Don Carmelo' (long defunct)

nebport5 wrote:All in all I think we're fortunate in Omaha to have a lot of great pizza with a variety of styles.

Actually, Omaha is not too bad when it comes to Pizzas. La Casa, Zio's, Don Carmelo's (the real one), Vivace, Sgt. Peffers,

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:33 am

guitarguy wrote:I think with Chicago way closer and still very much in the Midwest Omaha takes more after Chicago style than any other style.

With some qualification. Some pizzerias in Omaha think Chicago style is all about thick crust. All they do is just make crust a lot thicker, but keep the toppings skinny ala NYC style.

guitarguy wrote: I haven't been to Old Chicago since moving back but I always remember that place being a pretty awesome place to go to if my friends and I wanted good pizza.

How long ago? Pizzas at Old Chicago was a hit and miss for me. Sometimes it's pretty good, sometimes pretty bad. (I guess depending on the who the cook of the day was).

What was really outstanding and unique was when they first opened it they had cheese baked spaghetti. The sauce was made from scratch from the beef bones stock they made themselves, the cook told me when I complemented him how good the sauce was.

Sadly, eventually even Old Chicago stated pulling that switchroo when they got enough following. First, the made from scratch bone stock was gone, and they started skipping cheeses on top, and eventually they did away with the cheese at all, and just called it spaghetti with meat sauce, but kept the price the same all the way.

I also miss their Stout ice cream, stout beer splashed on premium ice cream. They got rid of them when they started degrading their baked spaghetti. Thankfully, I can get it now from Ted & Walley's

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:35 am

I think this thread needs to be renamed Best Pizza in Omaha.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:37 am

jessep28 wrote:I think this thread needs to be renamed Best Pizza in Omaha.

http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6600

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:41 am

guitarguy wrote:Haha yes but at 3am while you're three sheets to the wind drunk it has its place....

Hey, when you're stone dead drunk and it's dark out there, hungry, with that glowing moonlight, she's the goddess Diana herself.

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:44 am

Coyote wrote:
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6600

Anyway, I think Orsi's and Sam & Louies' don't even belong to the contenders list.

Hmmm, no Zio's, Don Carmelo's, Vivace in the contenders list?

Hyok Kim · Post by **Hyok Kim** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:46 am

jessep28 wrote:I think this thread needs to be renamed Best Pizza in Omaha.

What? Pizza is not Italian food?