Your Favorite Pizza in Omaha

[HskrFanMike]

Tried Davlo a couple of weeks ago. My first take was that it was rather light on the toppings. We bought a large, so of course, we had plenty of leftovers. It reheated well, and one of the last pieces had a bit more in the way of toppings. It's been a while, but I still kind of favor Pudgy's over Davlo, in terms of Chicago Style. Haven't been to Pudgy's since he passed away, though.

Haven't tried Franks, but did try Union Pizzaria downtown when it was still run by Frank's...and it probably was the best New York style pizza I've had. That's low praise, because Totino's is still a better pizza than any New York style "pizza".

Need to get back to Red's Savoy sometime soon, though.

[bbinks]

When did Frank's quit interest in Union? I thought it was the same owner.

[HskrFanMike]

When did Frank's quit interest in Union? I thought it was the same owner.

According to the Weird-Harold, it was in 2010.

http://www.omaha.com/living/west-omaha- ... b250c.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Coyote]

THE BEST PIZZERIA IN EVERY STATE IN AMERICA

Nebraska
La Casa
Omaha

It wouldn’t be an Omaha pizzeria without an abundance of beef, and La Casa’s hamburger-topped pie is the city’s best for overall Nebraska-ness. The flaky, golden-crusted square slices are served from a kitchen that’s been open since 1953, when the owner noticed a dearth of good pizza on the scene and decided to rectify that particular situation.

[MadMartin8]

THE BEST PIZZERIA IN EVERY STATE IN AMERICA

Nebraska
La Casa
Omaha

It wouldn’t be an Omaha pizzeria without an abundance of beef, and La Casa’s hamburger-topped pie is the city’s best for overall Nebraska-ness. The flaky, golden-crusted square slices are served from a kitchen that’s been open since 1953, when the owner noticed a dearth of good pizza on the scene and decided to rectify that particular situation.

REALLY?

[nativeomahan]

Most people realize that these sorts of "Best _____ in America" awards are silly. Kind of like the "Top 10 Steakhouses in America" ads you see in airline magazines. Still, LaCasa would certainly be in consideration for my vote for Nebraska. Wave Pizza in Grand Island would edge LaCasa out in my opinion, however.

[bbinks]

I've been to La Casa twice in 27 years. Maybe I'm missing something?

[Brad]

I've been to La Casa twice in 27 years. Maybe I'm missing something?

It's a Love or Hate place.

[BPHusker]

I've really become a fan of PizzaWest at 120th and Giles. They have a pretty different variety of pizzas compared to other places. My favorite is the PopeyeRoni which has pepperoni, spinach and cream cheese. They also have a pizza of the month. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it.

[NeonMartiniGlass]

I love ground beef on my pizza. I didn't realize it was an Omaha thing until I moved away and realized the rest of the country is all about the sausage. Godfathers opened a few franchises in the DC area in the 80's for a few years before they went belly-up---got my monthly fix then. La Casa is a regular stop for me when I'm in Omaha, but, like Runza, I guess you have to grow up with it. Most of my out-of-town visitors didn't take to it, though

I think it helps if you grew up on La Casa style pizza..Like I did. It’s absolutely my favorite.. Ground beef or otherwise..

But I’ve shared several stories, in this thread in fact, where I suggested La Casa pizza to out of towners..and they’ve came back loving it. To each their own. Love or hate. Ground beef or not...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

True story. I was in Ireland a few years back and went to a pizza place and asked for a hamburger and mushroom pizza. Waitress looked at me like I was crazy and wanted to know how many patties they should put on it.

[bigredmed1]

I love ground beef on my pizza. I didn't realize it was an Omaha thing until I moved away and realized the rest of the country is all about the sausage. Godfathers opened a few franchises in the DC area in the 80's for a few years before they went belly-up---got my monthly fix then. La Casa is a regular stop for me when I'm in Omaha, but, like Runza, I guess you have to grow up with it. Most of my out-of-town visitors didn't take to it, though

I think it helps if you grew up on La Casa style pizza..Like I did. It’s absolutely my favorite.. Ground beef or otherwise..

But I’ve shared several stories, in this thread in fact, where I suggested La Casa pizza to out of towners..and they’ve came back loving it. To each their own. Love or hate. Ground beef or not...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

True story. I was in Ireland a few years back and went to a pizza place and asked for a hamburger and mushroom pizza. Waitress looked at me like I was crazy and wanted to know how many patties they should put on it.

My sister lives in Seattle, and can not find hamburger on a pizza there. She comes to Big Fred's every single time she comes home to get her fix. Amazing. I grew up thinking that was just a normal variety of pizza.

[RockHarbor]

Are you guys kidding me? Hamburger on pizza is unusual some places? Really?!?! I thought that was the most common topping you would find on pizza anywhere & everywhere you go.

I'm very familiar with Seattle, exposed to it a lot since I was just a tike, and I know they have Shakey's Pizza up there. I went to college up there, and I'm sure I had pizza in those years -- yet I can't remember, really. My sibling also lives in the Seattle area. I'll have to ask about that. I never knew. Interesting.

I have to say: I love many pizza places, but as far as a chain goes, my favorite currently is Dominos. It used to be Pizza Hut. As far as special joints like La Casa, my family likes PIZZA KING in Council Bluffs. It's like a tradition. MAMA's PIZZA in Omaha is a common meeting place when we are in town, too. I need to try that La Casa's. It's always packed & crowded, and I think that's why we didn't head their direction when going out to eat.

[bigredmed1]

Pizza King is the best place in the metro for pizza. Sorry to say, but all of the Omaha places are eating their dust.

[Erik]

Pizza King is the best place in the metro for pizza. Sorry to say, but all of the Omaha places are eating their dust.

Don't be sorry. It's just your opinion and the world isn't going to care much about it. Unless you are a kardashian of pizza or something. That said, I can think of many pizzas that I like a whole lot more than your favorite, pizza king. And yes, the world doesn't care about my opinion either.

[Bob from Omaha]

Ok, now that we're talking about opinions that the world doesn't care about, here's mine:

I always liked La Casa when I lived in Omaha. I also liked the original Caniglia's, Sortino's, etc.

My beef with La Casa and it always was is that it is overpriced. I just looked at La Casa's menu vs. Johnny Sortinos.

Last time I ate at Valentino's it was awful. Greasy, tasteless, heartburn-causing, and on and on. Godfathers was a bit better but still nothing like it was when Willy just had the one at 99th & Q. Zio's was always pretty good though I'm biased because I grew up with Danny Sherman. I heard he sold out but still.

I know there are lots of new or new to me places for pizza in Omaha. Given the choice I'd try one of them before any of the above.

Of the new (last 10 years or so) pizza places which ones do you all like?

[Linkin5]

Of the new (last 10 years or so) pizza places which ones do you all like?

Best newer places:

Noli’s. Probably my favorite pizza in Omaha, they do everything right from the cheese to the thin crust.

Pizza West. They have a really good sauce with a ton of onions in it, their pizza with ham, bacon, cream cheese, pineapple is insanely good.

[RockHarbor]

"The world doesnt care about your opinion..." Lol. I think we all know here that sharing what local Omaha pizza places make our mouths water (on this semi-quiet & slow Omaha Forum) isnt making the earth shake -- or anything. We are just sharing what local joints we like -- like people share around a table in a conversation. (Yet, dont underestimate opinions, shared online, adding up to something. Think "Google Reviews." So, I think all should be mindful of that.) That "Pizza West": I remember that first starting in Omaha and never had a chance to try that yet. It's good, eh? That name always makes me chuckle. It almost sounds like a subdivision -- like "Park West." Ive also heard people rave about that Zio's mentioned, and have never tried that either.

[Louie]

I’d love for DT Omaha to get a real NYC style pizza place. With $1 slices to-go and everything.

[ricko]

I’d love for DT Omaha to get a real NYC style pizza place. With $1 slices to-go and everything.

It's kinda hard to explain, but successful attempts at making NY style pizza outside of NY are rare. There were 2 places in DC that came close, but they closed 20 years ago. My NY friend claims it's a combination of the water type and quality (NY has some of the best municipal water in the country----comes from upstate), and high gluten flour---and it's always hand tossed. I don't think anyone here is old enough to remember a drive-in on 50th & L that closed around 50 years ago called Chik' N Burger---they had probably the best NY style pizza I've had outside of NY and DC. The new-ish places I like in Omaha are Dante's, Noli's, and Pitch, and I'm anxious to try Lighthouse on my next visit. Via Farina had perfect crust, but the toppings were lacking in flavor.

[Louie]

I’d love for DT Omaha to get a real NYC style pizza place. With $1 slices to-go and everything.

It's kinda hard to explain, but successful attempts at making NY style pizza outside of NY are rare. There were 2 places in DC that came close, but they closed 20 years ago. My NY friend claims it's a combination of the water type and quality (NY has some of the best municipal water in the country----comes from upstate), and high gluten flour---and it's always hand tossed. I don't think anyone here is old enough to remember a drive-in on 50th & L that closed around 50 years ago called Chik' N Burger---they had probably the best NY style pizza I've had outside of NY and DC. The new-ish places I like in Omaha are Dante's, Noli's, and Pitch, and I'm anxious to try Lighthouse on my next visit. Via Farina had perfect crust, but the toppings were lacking in flavor.

Honestly, as the long as the pizza is decent, that's fine. It's more the aesthetic and function for me. NYC pizza shops are open late and many do a big chunk of their business a single slice walk out. I just think that would be a huge winner in a popular area.

I didn't know that about the water there. Surprising.

[cp jay 07]

I’d love for DT Omaha to get a real NYC style pizza place. With $1 slices to-go and everything.

It's kinda hard to explain, but successful attempts at making NY style pizza outside of NY are rare. There were 2 places in DC that came close, but they closed 20 years ago. My NY friend claims it's a combination of the water type and quality (NY has some of the best municipal water in the country----comes from upstate), and high gluten flour---and it's always hand tossed. I don't think anyone here is old enough to remember a drive-in on 50th & L that closed around 50 years ago called Chik' N Burger---they had probably the best NY style pizza I've had outside of NY and DC. The new-ish places I like in Omaha are Dante's, Noli's, and Pitch, and I'm anxious to try Lighthouse on my next visit. Via Farina had perfect crust, but the toppings were lacking in flavor.

Honestly, as the long as the pizza is decent, that's fine. It's more the aesthetic and function for me. NYC pizza shops are open late and many do a big chunk of their business a single slice walk out. I just think that would be a huge winner in a popular area.

I didn't know that about the water there. Surprising.

For labeling itself as NY Pizza Zio's could do a better job with the slices. I avoid it now because it seems like it takes forever just to get a couple slices of cheese to go at lunch.

[ricko]

Other than the 'by-the-slice' thing, Zio's is a far cry from a NY style pie.

[bigredmed1]

Other than the 'by-the-slice' thing, Zio's is a far cry from a NY style pie.

Agree.
Was in Manhattan for a meeting. Zio’s isn’t close to the nature of the pizza there.

[Omaha Cowboy]

NY style pizza. I’ve tried it..in NYC as a matter of fact.. and have tried Omaha’s version of it. Either version? Meh..

It’s alright.. But not my favorite pizza style...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[iamjacobm]

I’d love for DT Omaha to get a real NYC style pizza place. With $1 slices to-go and everything.

It's kinda hard to explain, but successful attempts at making NY style pizza outside of NY are rare. There were 2 places in DC that came close, but they closed 20 years ago. My NY friend claims it's a combination of the water type and quality (NY has some of the best municipal water in the country----comes from upstate), and high gluten flour---and it's always hand tossed. I don't think anyone here is old enough to remember a drive-in on 50th & L that closed around 50 years ago called Chik' N Burger---they had probably the best NY style pizza I've had outside of NY and DC. The new-ish places I like in Omaha are Dante's, Noli's, and Pitch, and I'm anxious to try Lighthouse on my next visit. Via Farina had perfect crust, but the toppings were lacking in flavor.

Honestly, as the long as the pizza is decent, that's fine. It's more the aesthetic and function for me. NYC pizza shops are open late and many do a big chunk of their business a single slice walk out. I just think that would be a huge winner in a popular area.

I didn't know that about the water there. Surprising.

For labeling itself as NY Pizza Zio's could do a better job with the slices. I avoid it now because it seems like it takes forever just to get a couple slices of cheese to go at lunch.

I agree with this. I don't even care if the quality isn't top tier. Just get me in and out of there in 15 or 20 mins and be decent. If I wanted to take an hour for lunch I would be eating somewhere else anyways.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I guess I just don’t get the excitement over flimsy crust NY style pizza. The allure of folding this greasy pizza, then inserting into mouth gets old real quick..

To each their own...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

I dont think Ive ever tried NY style pizza. It sounds so good... Valentinos was a family favorite growing up -- I still think they are good, especially their buffett. Godfather's was never my absolute personal favorite, although Ive gone there plenty of times with groups of people, and like it well enough -- a lot of people love it, of course. I wonder what WT's new "Pitch Pizza" is like? Im sure its very good. There is one place in Omaha that has the worst pizza, imo -- but, I wont dare say who it is. To me, its even a step down from "game arcade pizza" -- it was just AWFUL! I never order pizza at Olive Garden or other Italian restaurants -- as my focus is on the other dishes. I wonder what Olive Garden's pizza taste like? I had Italian relatives in Pittsburgh, who have since passed, and they made a homemade Italian pizza once when visiting, and it was soooo good. I remember big chunks of sausage with tons of pepper & stuff. P.S. I cant believe beef on pizza is mostly an "Omaha thing." I had no idea.

[Coyote]

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[Brad]

Unlike the Pizza Hut discussion in the fast food thread, we try supporting local as much as possible.

Mangia two weeks ago
Mama's Last weekend
Oris this weekend
Already planning Mootz next week.

We really do have great locally owned pizza in this town.

[Busguy2010]

We do. I support local pizza too. Mama's, LaCasa, and Orsi's are my go to's, in no particular order. I don't think it to be a noble civic duty to support them, though. I'll eat Pizza Hut, Domino's, Casey's, when in Rome. Convenience is a factor. We get Mama's more than any, but its more when we treat ourselves, so that says something. Nothing bad about getting a quick slice, or a set of breadsticks from a fast food place on your lunch break. We enjoy the local spots for a treat, so occasionally, but we defin(italy) do.

[garyomaha]

We rotate through a number of pizza spots -- MOST, but not all, locally-owned. We like the variety of flavors, crusts, and toppings available among many of the spots that we are fortunate to have in Omaha. As has been suggested before, pizza can be a highly individual choice!

[nativeomahan]

We rotate through a number of pizza spots -- MOST, but not all, locally-owned. We like the variety of flavors, crusts, and toppings available among many of the spots that we are fortunate to have in Omaha. As has been suggested before, pizza can be a highly individual choice!

You took the words (but not the pizza slice) outta my mouth. There is no such thing as “the best pizza place (or burger, or sandwich, Indian, Thai, etc.).” Personal preferences differ greatly between people. What is less subjective is service quality and value.

[ChadJK]

We didn't eat out much when I was a kid (certainly not by today's standards). The two regular exceptions were probably lunch after church on Sundays and pizza on Friday nights. I grew up (mostly) in Bellevue. So, Friday pizza nights were at Pefferoni's Bellevue location until it closed. Then, we switch to the dine-in Pizza Hut on Fort Crook Rd for many years. I don't remember why we stopped going there. I think there was a turnover in management and everyone we were on a first name basis with was gone and the place lost its familiar charm. We ended up flip-flopping back and forth between Mama Alvino's and Giavonni Santino's for several years. Then, we all got busy with life and that was that.

I had a lot of good memories eating at Pizza Hut as a kid. Red brick and trapezoid windows! I wasn't much of a culinary snob back then and to me it just tasted like pizza. There was a time in the 80s where going out for pizza was Pizza Hut or Gadfather's and staying in for pizza was Domino's delivery. Living in Bellevue at the time we didn't have all the private options that Omaha had and my parent's didn't feel like driving that far (I swear we rarely left Bellevue... lol).

These days, we rotate through several places: Mama's, Varsity, SPIN!, Williamsburg, Don Camelo's, and one or two others. Whatever isn't too far of a drive from Gretna and that my picky kid will eat. Personally, I lean toward NY-style and my wife leans toward whatever style you call Mama's/Big Fred's/Johnny Sortino's.

[nebugeater]

We didn't eat out much when I was a kid (certainly not by today's standards). The two regular exceptions were probably lunch after church on Sundays and pizza on Friday nights. I grew up (mostly) in Bellevue. So, Friday pizza nights were at Pefferoni's Bellevue location until it closed. Then, we switch to the dine-in Pizza Hut on Fort Crook Rd for many years. I don't remember why we stopped going there. I think there was a turnover in management and everyone we were on a first name basis with was gone and the place lost its familiar charm. We ended up flip-flopping back and forth between Mama Alvino's and Giavonni Santino's for several years. Then, we all got busy with life and that was that.

I had a lot of good memories eating at Pizza Hut as a kid. Red brick and trapezoid windows! I wasn't much of a culinary snob back then and to me it just tasted like pizza. There was a time in the 80s where going out for pizza was Pizza Hut or Gadfather's and staying in for pizza was Domino's delivery. Living in Bellevue at the time we didn't have all the private options that Omaha had and my parent's didn't feel like driving that far (I swear we rarely left Bellevue... lol).

These days, we rotate through several places: Mama's, Varsity, SPIN!, Williamsburg, Don Camelo's, and one or two others. Whatever isn't too far of a drive from Gretna and that my picky kid will eat. Personally, I lean toward NY-style and my wife leans toward whatever style you call Mama's/Big Fred's/Johnny Sortino's.

Easy drive from Gretna, and if you haven't tried the Pizza at Backlot Pizza and Kitchen, give it a try. My go-to is the Butcher's Word, but any are good.


https://www.backlotpizzaandkitchen.com/elkhorn-menu/

[GenX]

We didn't eat out much when I was a kid (certainly not by today's standards). The two regular exceptions were probably lunch after church on Sundays and pizza on Friday nights. I grew up (mostly) in Bellevue. So, Friday pizza nights were at Pefferoni's Bellevue location until it closed. Then, we switch to the dine-in Pizza Hut on Fort Crook Rd for many years. I don't remember why we stopped going there. I think there was a turnover in management and everyone we were on a first name basis with was gone and the place lost its familiar charm. We ended up flip-flopping back and forth between Mama Alvino's and Giavonni Santino's for several years. Then, we all got busy with life and that was that.

I had a lot of good memories eating at Pizza Hut as a kid. Red brick and trapezoid windows! I wasn't much of a culinary snob back then and to me it just tasted like pizza. There was a time in the 80s where going out for pizza was Pizza Hut or Gadfather's and staying in for pizza was Domino's delivery. Living in Bellevue at the time we didn't have all the private options that Omaha had and my parent's didn't feel like driving that far (I swear we rarely left Bellevue... lol).

These days, we rotate through several places: Mama's, Varsity, SPIN!, Williamsburg, Don Camelo's, and one or two others. Whatever isn't too far of a drive from Gretna and that my picky kid will eat. Personally, I lean toward NY-style and my wife leans toward whatever style you call Mama's/Big Fred's/Johnny Sortino's.

I distinctly remember the buttery crunchy crust Pizza Hut’s pan pizzas used to have. Ever since they got rid of that it’s just been meh.