Your Favorite Pizza in Omaha

[Globochem]

What about Dante Pizzeria in the Shops of Legacy

My opinion?



Okay, maybe that's being overly dramatic, but I've done twice and both times were...not good.



I'd be interested to know if there was actually a decent Neapolitan Style Pizza place in Omaha.

That is kind of where I am on it. I want it to be good / great but just can't convince myself it is. Have had great Neapolitan style Pizza in a few other places but I think With a Green Egg Grill I cound match this at home with just a bit of practice.

You can't.

[Globochem]

Im assuming La Casa is one of the/the best offering of Neopolitan style in Omaha.. Wondering if places make the mistake of trying to cook the pizza at normal temps when true good Neopolitan style is to be cooked at 800 degrees.. Would make sense as to the mushy consistency.

It is NOT Neapolitan, although the sign says otherwise. It is a weird pie crust that is baked in a half sheet or full sheet tray with a carpet of ground beef (or other toppings). Good luck finding that in Naples. Dante's chef is Vera certified, uses a Mugniani wood fired oven, and does a great job of hand stretching their dough. Get a Marinara or Margherita and ask for it uncut. Observe the tiger spotting. Cut it with scissors or knife and fork and taste the balanced sweetness of roasted San Marzano tomatoes and the impossibly thin crisp edge of the crust. 90 seconds by the fire. It is delicate stuff and the supreme expression of pizza. La Casa is a slap in the face to that tradition. Serious pizza lovers will find Dante is, in fact, a dutiful representation of that tradition. A contrast, indeed.

[Globochem]

Depends on what you're looking for. If its authentic, NY Style pizza, I'd have to throw Frank's (132nd and Dodge) into the ring. Its a small, unassuming pizza shop, but some of the best pizza I've been able to find anywhere in this city. It reminds me of the local pizza shop I ate at all the time growing up in NY.

Yep.

[MadMartin8]

An execution of Neapolitan style pizza is exactly how I would describe Dante's.

[cdub]

Wow, a pizza snob. To each their own but at least one of the joints mentioned by mr. Pizza has been criticized in this thread. Damn peasant taste buds!

I'm busy enough raising my kids and having a life that I have come to terms with eating convenience store pizza and liking it. I'm secure in my poor schlubness.

I'll find this Frank person though and if he doesn't make great pizza I'll lock you in the Caseys walk in.

[MadMartin8]

Wow, a pizza snob. To each their own but at least one of the joints mentioned by mr. Pizza has been criticized in this thread. darn peasant taste buds!

I'm busy enough raising my kids and having a life that I have come to terms with eating convenience store pizza and liking it. I'm secure in my poor schlubness.

I'll find this Frank person though and if he doesn't make great pizza I'll lock you in the Caseys walk in.

Agreed completely.

[S33]

Its not cool to like a chain!

Rock Bottom used to have a great bbq chicken lunch pizza that came with a salad. Perfect amount for lunch and was great tasting. I dont think they have quite the same thing anymore.

Orsis is nasty thick salty gut bomb stuff
I like La casa but also very salty
Ragazis will require another visit. It was worth that but cant recall more
We order caseys taco a lot cause its close and its quite satisfying
Papa johns gets points for the banana peppers in the box and the dip for the crust

This is a punch list of all that is perverse about this thread.

1st. Other foods in "pizza form" are not better. It is not inventive, clever, let alone delicious to eat a sandwich or chicken wing or bowl of spaghetti on a pizza crust. So "pad thai" - let me finish - pizza is a nasty, childish, stupid and disgusting approach to pizza. If you subscribe to eating other foods re-imaged as pizza, as weird and equally parochial as the sauerkraut pizza I once misfortunately consumed in Hastings, do so in silence and shame. It's like playing with mashed potatoes. Either you grow up and stop, or you do it and don't tell anyone.

2nd. Convenience store pizza?! Lunch lady pizza?! Frozen pizza?! Night Flight?! This is a hit-list of the nauseating, albeit redolent depths of college poverty. Again, eat this in silence. If it is unfortunately "delicious" to you, that is due to a tragic lack of good taste, which is certainly one's prerogative, but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion of the "best" anything.

3rd. Orsi or La Casa are weird Omaha phenomena that were once sellable as pizza when pizza was considered exotic. There is some nostalgic value to places like these that have an idiosyncratic place in our heart. But there are so many choices now of legitimately crafted pie that old school joints like that are better suited to a "do you remember" conversation than a "best of" list.

4th. There is so much mediocre 'za in town that it smothers the discussion under a greasy pool of Sysco processed cheese. It is in fact exceedingly difficult to make good pizza because it is exceedingly difficult to make good bread. Four ingredients. Yeast, water, flour and salt. The rest is know-how. 2 places in town exhibit a high level of skill in that department: Franks and Dante. Others are either wildly inconsistent or a dense doughy mess. Franks and Dante are different styles, but both are quality executions of their respective approach.

One day you will be shipwrecked, only to find that the only freshwater source is your own urine, and your only source of food (because I highly doubt you can fish, and the only animal you could catch is while you're choking your own chicken), are fruits atop trees which you probably couldn't climb, and then you may realize what a nauseating and self-punishing task it is to be a food snop.

Lighten up, Salley, and enjoy some friggin' gas station hotdogs.

[guitarguy]

Hahaha how do you know you're not talking to survivor man? I could see that guy being a food snob..

[Greg S]

The pizza that is really growing on me is Red Savoy's out at 168th and Maple.

Greg

[HskrFanMike]

The pizza that is really growing on me is Red Savoy's out at 168th and Maple.

Greg

I haven't been there since they moved from Blondo, but I really liked their homemade sausage. Unfortunately, nobody else in my family did...

[Coyote]

I had a great pizza at La Casa last night - the Special- carmelized onion, bell peppers, feta cheese, black olives (which my friend promptly removed from his pizza) very much worth the stop in.

[MadMartin8]

The pizza that is really growing on me is Red Savoy's out at 168th and Maple.

Greg

I will have to check that out!

[RNcyanide]

I'm satisfied with Zio's in the OM. But some of the best I've ever had was in Winter Park, Colorado, place called Pedlr.

[Hyok Kim]

If Old Chicago weren't a chain, and had a single, qwerky location in the old market with a bunch of goofey |expletive| hanging on the walls, everyone would love it. :)

Nope. I used to really like Old Chicago for their baked cheese spaghetti with made from scratch beef bones stock, and their stout ice cream. Now, long gone from their meu.

One thing that really peeved me was they started taking short cuts with their food while keeping the old price. One thing I really like Block 16 is that they haven't done that.

[Hyok Kim]

So from what people are saying Old Chicago is |expletive| now?? It used to be delicious 10 years ago but maybe they over expanded and started producing |expletive|?

Pretty much. I used to love Old Chicago a long time ago.

[Hyok Kim]

I do sympathize with the comment about the quirky location in the Old Market equalling "amazing". There seems to be a blanket amnesty for craptastic food when served in the Old Market. And many a food critic and forum poster is guilty of this.

You betcha. One thing that really amazed me was how many people in Omaha had praised Great Wall in the old market location. Even a former restaurant owner friend of mine, and a chef no less, (but no formal training) praised Great Wall's 'Chinese' food.

Recently, it was Maria Sangria that was praised by OWH critic for their paella! Absolutely the worst and the most expensive Spanish restaurant I've ever tried in my life.

[guitarguy]

I do remember in high school.. which was 10 years ago in a time of dorky first dates I used to take chicks to Old Chicago because it was always bomb but I have to say that I have noticed that the last few times I went there it was no where near as good.. But! Because I could drink alcohol it tasted just fine to me... but yes Old Chicago other than their beer seems overpriced and not worth it anymore..

[Hyok Kim]

Im assuming La Casa is one of the/the best offering of Neopolitan style in Omaha.

Viviace does far better.

[Hyok Kim]

2nd. Convenience store pizza?! Lunch lady pizza?! Frozen pizza?! Night Flight?! This is a hit-list of the nauseating, albeit redolent depths of college poverty. Again, eat this in silence. If it is unfortunately "delicious" to you, that is due to a tragic lack of good taste, which is certainly one's prerogative, but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion of the "best" anything.

The reason why this garbage known as 'Night Flight' is still in business.

3rd. Orsi or La Casa are weird Omaha phenomena that were once sellable as pizza when pizza was considered exotic. There is some nostalgic value to places like these that have an idiosyncratic place in our heart. But there are so many choices now of legitimately crafted pie that old school joints like that are better suited to a "do you remember" conversation than a "best of" list.

Let's be fair. La Casa is several notches above Orsi's.

4th. There is so much mediocre 'za in town that it smothers the discussion under a greasy pool of Sysco processed cheese. It is in fact exceedingly difficult to make good pizza because it is exceedingly difficult to make good bread. Four ingredients. Yeast, water, flour and salt. The rest is know-how. 2 places in town exhibit a high level of skill in that department: Franks and Dante. Others are either wildly inconsistent or a dense doughy mess. Franks and Dante are different styles, but both are quality executions of their respective approach.

I have not tried, either. Have you tried Viviace?

[Hyok Kim]

It is NOT Neapolitan, although the sign says otherwise. It is a weird pie crust that is baked in a half sheet or full sheet tray with a carpet of ground beef (or other toppings). Good luck finding that in Naples.

Again, you hit the nail right on the head.

Dante's chef is Vera certified, uses a Mugniani wood fired oven, and does a great job of hand stretching their dough. Get a Marinara or Margherita and ask for it uncut. Observe the tiger spotting. Cut it with scissors or knife and fork and taste the balanced sweetness of roasted San Marzano tomatoes and the impossibly thin crisp edge of the crust. 90 seconds by the fire. It is delicate stuff and the supreme expression of pizza. Serious pizza lovers will find Dante is, in fact, a dutiful representation of that tradition. A contrast, indeed.

All true, but great pizza doesn't have to become a slave to Italian tradition. After all, the authentic Neapolitan pizza in the beginning broke from tradition, take Margherita for an example.

Tomato was a slap in the face of traditional Italian cuisine a few centuries ago, so was espresso, tiramisu.

 La Casa is a slap in the face to that tradition.

It is, but would you have chosen Night Flight over La Casa? Let's be fair to La Casa. It's a decent pizza, not a great pizza, but still a decent pizza, not authentic Neapolitan pizza, but an imitation Neapolitan pizza that is a decent food, unlike majority of pizzas sold in Omaha.

[Hyok Kim]

It is NOT Neapolitan, although the sign says otherwise. It is a weird pie crust that is baked in a half sheet or full sheet tray with a carpet of ground beef (or other toppings). Good luck finding that in Naples.

Again, you hit the nail right on the head.

Dante's chef is Vera certified, uses a Mugniani wood fired oven, and does a great job of hand stretching their dough. Get a Marinara or Margherita and ask for it uncut. Observe the tiger spotting. Cut it with scissors or knife and fork and taste the balanced sweetness of roasted San Marzano tomatoes and the impossibly thin crisp edge of the crust. 90 seconds by the fire. It is delicate stuff and the supreme expression of pizza. Serious pizza lovers will find Dante is, in fact, a dutiful representation of that tradition. A contrast, indeed.

All true, but great pizza doesn't have to become a slave to Italian tradition. After all, the authentic Neapolitan pizza in the beginning broke from tradition, take Margherita for an example.

Tomato was a slap in the face of traditional Italian cuisine a few centuries ago, so was espresso, tiramisu.

 La Casa is a slap in the face to that tradition.

It is, but would you have chosen Night Flight over La Casa? Let's be fair to La Casa. It's a decent pizza, not a great pizza, but still a decent pizza, not authentic Neapolitan pizza, but an imitation Neapolitan pizza that is a decent food, unlike majority of pizzas sold in Omaha.

[bigredmed]

LaCasa is an old school Omaha style pizza. It deviated from Caniglia's original Omaha style pizza with differnet cheese. Otherise, the carpet of toppings is true to form and an intentional element of the form. Frankly, I prefer it to the glob of topping approach in NY style pizza. Each bite of a sausage pizza tastes like sausage pizza.

[jessep28]

I'm going to eat only Domino's and $1.37 Totino's party pizzas for the rest of my life just to spite this thread.

[MadMartin8]

I'm going to eat only Domino's and $1.37 Totino's party pizzas for the rest of my life just to spite this thread.

HyVee brand frozen pizzas for me.

[guitarguy]

LaCasa is an old school Omaha style pizza. It deviated from Caniglia's original Omaha style pizza with differnet cheese. Otherise, the carpet of toppings is true to form and an intentional element of the form. Frankly, I prefer it to the glob of topping approach in NY style pizza. Each bite of a sausage pizza tastes like sausage pizza.

This is funny because thats not what NY style is in NY haha that has become the interpretation of it around here..in NY theres not a lot of toppings at all and they focus more on the critical elements.. another reason why I'm bummed that I have to scour the city looking for a good pizza place.

[nebport5]

Had Frank's recently. Descent, but a bit greasy. Certainly more authentic NY style than Zio's. Unfortunately the prices are more NY authentic too. It's good but wouldn't go out of my way for it.

[Hyok Kim]

Had Frank's recently. Descent, but a bit greasy.

Thanks for the tip.




 

Certainly more authentic NY style than Zio's. Unfortunately the prices are more NY authentic too. It's good but wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Have you tried Don Carmelo's? It's a few notches above Zio's. Btw. OWH did fat comparison several years ago, and they declared Don Carmelo's as the least greasy pizza in Omaha. I was actually surprised considering how good and rich tasting Don Carmelo is.

In my book, Don Carmelo is 3rd best pizza I've ever tried in my life.

[Hyok Kim]

Had Frank's recently. Descent, but a bit greasy.

Thanks for the tip.




 

Certainly more authentic NY style than Zio's. Unfortunately the prices are more NY authentic too. It's good but wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Have you tried Don Carmelo's? It's a few notches above Zio's. Btw. OWH did fat comparison several years ago, and they declared Don Carmelo's as the least greasy pizza in Omaha. I was actually surprised considering how good and rich tasting Don Carmelo is.

In my book, Don Carmelo is 3rd best pizza I've ever tried in my life.

[Brad]

In my book, Don Carmelo is 3rd best pizza I've ever tried in my life.

Don Carmelo's is a time bomb... Literally the only pizza I can not eat.

[bbinks]

The reason why this garbage known as 'Night Flight' is still in business.

I tried this shi* on a shingle once back when they were Home Team Pizza. A frozen Totinos is better.

[bbinks]

In my book, Don Carmelo is 3rd best pizza I've ever tried in my life.

Don Carmelo's is a time bomb... Literally the only pizza I can not eat.

I have had good and bad from Carmelo's. The one on Farnam back in the 1990s was the best, the others not so good. The original owner / founder re-opened a store off 120th many years ago, but a family dispute ended up with its demise.

[Hyok Kim]

Don Carmelo's is a time bomb... Literally the only pizza I can not eat.

You meant, 'Heartburns'? I have never had heartburns from Don Carmelo's. For me, Orsi's is the time bomb.

[Hyok Kim]

I have had good and bad from Carmelo's. The one on Farnam back in the 1990s was the best,

I agree, and they even delivered for $3.00. But after a fire, it closed in the early 2000's. One that sprang up just before Tommy Collina's was absolutely the worst Don Carmelo's, on par with Night Flight.

the others not so good. The original owner / founder re-opened a store off 120th many years ago, but a family dispute ended up with its demise.

I had tried the one at Rockbrook, and while still good, not as good as the one on the Farnam back in the 90's.

[Linkin5]

A couple weekends ago I went to 11Worth on Saturday and Wheatfields on Sunday and 11worth blew Wheatfields out of the water with service and food.

Had I praised Wheatfields? Kinda premature on your part.

Btw. I can see your taste when you claim 11worth blew Wheatfields out of the water with food? My experience, service wise, they are about the same. Food wise, depends on the individual menus. Omelet at 11worths is okay, not great, but doesn't suck, either. CFS, on the other hand, 11worth is the 'Night Flight' of CFS. Deserts, on the other hand, Wheatfields blows 11worth out of the water, not even close.

My plate came out after 45 minutes and was cold at Wheatfields.

Just because you pay more and feel all high class does not make it good.

Again, had I ever even implied paying more equals high class or even good?

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

Wait, so you are saying you hate Vivace and like Night flight, right?

[Hyok Kim]

Again, had I ever even implied paying more equals high class or even good?

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

Wait, so you are saying you hate Vivace and like Night flight, right?

You have reading comprehension problem. This is what I had said.

Again, had I ever even implied paying more equals high class or even good?

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

...but what do you expect? You're the guy who had said restaurant industry works on 3% margin, and claimed you make up 60% of statistics you quote.

[cp jay 07]

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

You do realize you are comparing a pizza place that is made for Drunk college students and young adults coming home from the Bars at 2 AM to Vivace.

Of course NightFlight is awful but who cares, it's 2 AM and they will Deliver it to you within a half hour to hour and a half, and during that time all your friends pass out and you have to stay up to pay for the pizza to not get blacklisted from Night Flight, then you have a Extra Large Meat Lovers all to yourself at 3:25 in the morning and you are watching DVR episodes of Bar Rescue thinking Jon Taffer is the coolest guy in the world. We have all been there.

And Night Flight is pretty cheap but I have no idea why you are comparing it to Vivace. When will you review Pitch and Chuck E Cheese? Can't wait for that one.

[Brad]

and you are watching DVR episodes of Bar Rescue thinking Jon Taffer is the coolest guy in the world. We have all been there.

They had a marathon all last Sunday. It was great!

[Linkin5]

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

And Night Flight is pretty cheap but I have no idea why you are comparing it to Vivace. When will you review Pitch and Chuck E Cheese? Can't wait for that one.

hahahahahah spot on.

[Brad]

Night Flight is not cheap, and is the worst pizza I ever had in my life, Vivace on the other hand is not that expensive, despite the location and decor, and the best pizza I had in Omaha. Maria Sangria is expensive and the worst Spanish food I ever had in my life.

You must have a serious fetish with Pizza... this is at least the third thread you have hi-jacked in to a pizza fight.

[Hyok Kim]

You do realize you are comparing a pizza place that is made for Drunk college students and young adults coming home from the Bars at 2 AM to Vivace.

....and you do realize I am comparing a pizza for its taste, not the taste (or lack thereof) of the clients? Who are you arguing with?

Of course NightFlight is awful but who cares, ...

I do, and so others with taste for good food. Of course I don't count those with poor taste.

But I am duly grateful that you agree it is awful.

it's 2 AM and they will Deliver it to you within a half hour to hour and a half, and during that time all your friends pass out and you have to stay up to pay for the pizza to not get blacklisted from Night Flight, then you have a Extra Large Meat Lovers all to yourself at 3:25 in the morning and you are watching DVR episodes of Bar Rescue thinking Jon Taffer is the coolest guy in the world.

There is no accounting for the lack of taste induced by the alcoholic stupor, is there?

We have all been there.

You speaking for ME? I was fortunate enough not to have been.

And Night Flight is pretty cheap but I have no idea why you are comparing it to Vivace. .

http://www.hometeampizza.com/menu.html

Please go down to their specialty pizza, and tell me it is cheap. Let's compare it with Vivace. Please go to their pizza section.

http://www.vivaceomaha.com/menu/


Now, you tell me which one is cheaper. There is no accounting for the lack of taste, but surely there is accounting for the price. You know how to do the math, right?

When will you review Pitch and Chuck E Cheese? Can't wait for that one.

Chuck E Cheese is a notch above Night Flight, but then like they say, there is no accounting for the lack of taste.