Growing up in New York, a few things are hard to beat when it comes to food and pizza is one of them.
I love pizza that boasts a thin, crispy crust with a cheesy topping and a delicious sauce. The pizza should not have too much cheese or sauce. The balance of cheese and sauce is imperative. There needs to be just the right amount of greasy goodness and the ability to fold the slice in half to eat with your hands. Eating a slice of pizza with a fork is a sacrilege.
“I pick up my piece, fold it in half, take a bite and I concur. This is a solid piece of pizza and the closest to a New York slice I’ve had in town.”
–Priya Hutner
I set out to explore the some of the best pizza in Truckee with two of my favorite people on the planet, 15-year-old India Welch and 11-year-old Lakshman Welch. We focus our tasting on some of my favorite spots in Truckee for the first part in this series.
There are several ways pizza is prepared – in large gas pizza ovens, wood-burning stoves and brick-oven style. Each creates a unique crust and flavor. I prefer a thin, crispy crust and each method offers that. I love the flavor of a pizza cooked in a wood burning stove, too.
Front Street
Our first stop is Front Street Pizza Station (there is a second location in Tahoe City). We order one slice of cheese pizza to share. Lakshman and India both agree, as they take their first bite, that this slice is good. I pick up my piece, fold it in half, take a bite and I concur. This is a solid piece of pizza and the closest to a New York slice I’ve had in town.
“It’s the right amount of cheese and sauce, and the crust is good,” says Lakshman, who doesn’t usually like the end of the crust.
At the end of our pizza outing, we circle back to Front Street to try a slice of Spicy Thai Chicken with peanut sauce out of curiosity. It was good but I know I am a purist at heart when it comes to pizza. I don’t like pineapple, chicken or ham on my pizza.
India advises that Truckee High students frequent there during the school year.
“Definitely wait until after the lunch hour at 12:30 to go,” she says. | frontstreetpizzaca.com
Zano’s
We stop at Zano’s Family Italian and Pizzeria for a whole cheese pie later in the week. Their Godfather pie is one of their best sellers. Zano’s is also one of the only places in town that serves a gluten free crust and a cauliflower crust, both are good. | zanos.net
Best Pies
Best Pies Pizzeria & Restaurant is next up. I like Best Pies and the fact that they serve slices or a whole pie. Their special tonight is a Caprese slice. Lakshman opts for his go-to plain cheese slice. India and I dig into our Caprese slice topped with fresh tomatoes, basil and a balsamic drizzle on Best Pies’ signature thin crust. It was unique and we both liked it. | bestpiespizzeria.com
Old Town Tap
A style of their own: Old Town Tap serves a thin crust, contemporary style pie. I love the vibe of this restaurant. Luke Bill and Marlena John do a great job. Their pizza is delicious. The mushroom pie is one of my favorites. Old Town Tap is on my list for best pizza in town. | oldtowntaptruckee.com.
Great Gold
If you want an upscale pizza experience, Great Gold is a more formal restaurant serving Italian-style California pizza. Great Gold has several whole pizzas with unique flavors such as maitake mushroom or pizza bianca with garlic cream sauce. The pizza is a favorite with a number of my friends. My friend Jani Osborne loves the arugula and prosciutto with burrata cheese. | greatgoldtahoe.com
