Portobello Bello, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, Tuscan Six Cheese, Veggie Lover’s, Big Wick… any of these sound familiar? If you’re a regular visitor to one of Louisville’s many favorite pizza restaurants, you’re likely to call one of those your favorite.
With two of the top 5 nationwide pizza chains headquartered right here in Louisville, one might think there isn’t room for competition for one of American’s favorite foods. Luckily for us Louisvillians, that simply isn’t the case as each one has its own specialty and its own amazing taste.
One of those Louisville Original Pizza restaurants is Tony BoomBozz Pizza. According to owner, Tony Palombino “Our approach to being successful involves being very hands on and at the same time empowering the staff to be best they can be, and this has lifted us the last ten years. We also offer toppings that the others don’t, like rosemary roasted potatoes, citrus marinated chicken, extra virgin olive oil.”
www.tonyboombozz.com
Another Louisville favorite, Wick’s Pizza, has grown immensely over the last 10 years with expansions and new restaurants. With their flagship location along Highland Ave & Bardstown Road, Wick’s is a multiple “Best Of Louisville” award winner and has several locations to serve the city of Louisville.
As owner Michael Wickliffe tells us about standing apart from the rest "We are kind of like Mama Johns. I have made myself the spokesman for the product whether good or bad. I do all our commercials on the radio. It gives the company the family owned and operated feel. You know the face that goes with the company.
www.wickspizza.com
Bearno’s Pizza calls itself Louisville’s Neighborhood Pizza since 1997. Some Bearno’s locations offer a buffet, and also a fat-free cheese for those who are watching the waistline. Bearno’s is also a multiple “Best of Louisville” award winner, with a location near you.
www.bearnospizza.net
Clifton’s Pizza is located on Frankfort Avenue in the Crescent Hill section of town. A Louisville favorite with its hand-tossed, made to order pizza, this eatery offers music most nights of the week and features a weekly jazz night.
www.cliftonspizza.com
Spinelli’s Pizza is famous for their large pizzas and late night delivery. Located on Baxter Avenue near Lexington Road, Spinelli’s features New York Style Pizza for those with big appetites!
614 Baxter Ave. (502) 568-5665
Chubby Ray’s Original Louisville Pizza Co may have the longest name in the Louisville pizza business, but it’s the atmosphere they boast about here. They offer 10 signature pizzas at this J-Town favorite, and it’s a great place to catch an NFL game, play some poker or watch UK/UL games!
http://www.louisvillepizzacompany.com/
And what about the biggest pizza companies that call Louisville home?
Papa John’s, started by local businessman John Schnatter, embodies their slogan “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza” by offering the freshest ingredients, freshly made dough that is never frozen and nonstop changing in improving their technique. With a healthy-conscious menu in mind, Papa John’s rolled out their newest crust, featuring whole wheat.
www.papajohns.com
Pizza Hut: A part of the world’s biggest restaurant company, YUM!, Pizza Hut became the # 1 pizza chain in the world in 1971. They boast 50 years of being in the pizza business, and still offer one of their mainstays in the “Supreme Pizza” with their hand tossed & pan pizzas.
www.pizzahut.com
While Louisville may be able to boast some big names in the pizza business, it’s the neighborhood favorites that make this city tick. As Palombino says “Louisville is as good as other cities when it comes to having great eating establishments, especially pizza”
