38 Essential Cleveland Pizza Joints for All Your Takeout and Delivery Needs

Spuddy Rich Pizza at Corner Spot

2592 West 14th St., Cleveland

If there’s a bright side to 2020, it was the rise of quirky, nonconventional startups that aim to disrupt the status quo if only to survive these atypical times. One such arrival is Corner Spot, a ghost pizzeria that operates in a church and accepts new customers through Instagram. These thick, rectangular pies are designed from the dough up for the delivery (here, pick-up) age. They are fully baked, but not hot, requiring a few minutes in a hot oven to achieve their intended outcome, namely sharp edges, singed-cheese corners and crusty bottoms. The subtly flavored Spuddy Rich is layered with thin-sliced potatoes, sweet melted onions, garlic confit and rosemary cream.

Photo by Doug Trattner

Sauced Wood Fired Pizza

21984 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park

What started out as a mobile wood-fired pizza truck turned into a standalone restaurant in 2016, and Fairview Park residents are better off for it. Their thin crust pizzas are the perfect combination of cheesy and crispy. The Clevelander, topped with spicy red sauce, pepperoni, salami, ham, meatballs, garlic and ricotta topped with sriracha honey is a carnivore’s dream.

Photo via Sauced Pizza and Pasta/Facebook

Valentino’s

2197 Murray Hill Rd., Cleveland

We've all been spoiled by years of cardboard pizza delivered straight to our door. Valentino's makes you work for it by being pick-up only, but it’s well worth it. The Little Italy pizzeria is a favorite of the brainiacs at Case Western Reserve, and for good reason: The alchemists at Valentino's work absolute magic with their ingredients, especially their sauce.

Photo via Valentino’s Pizza/Facebook

Salted Dough

9174 Broadview Rd., Broadview Heights

It bears repeating that good pizza starts at the bottom.. They possess the most sought-after attributes in a crust: simultaneously thin and airy; pocked, blistered and crisp but chewy; aromatic and meticulously topped. And these pizzas have it all.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Il Rione

1303 West 65th St., Cleveland

It's safe to say that there are no other pizza joints in town quite like Il Rione. The warm lighting, stylishly weathered interior and upbeat soundtrack spinning out tracks combine to create more of a pizza lounge than pizza shop. But here’s the kicker: the New York/Jersey style pizza is phenomenal.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Ohio City Pizzeria

3223 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

This Ohio City spot is a non-profit opened by a graduate of EDWIN’s Leadership program. They provide training to those who need essential job skills. And they make a damn fine pizza.

Photo via Scene Archives

Noce

125 Main St., Chardon

This mom-and-pop shop may be out in the cut, but any pizza this good is worth the drive. The New York style slices boast some of the best ingredients and quality of any spot around.

Photo via Scene Archives

Mario Fazio’s

34400 Chardon Rd., Willoughby

Out in Willoughby, this old school Italian joint serves up some of the best pies around. Try their house specialty, the Annie, that comes with Italian sausage, spinach and caramelized onions.

Photo via Mario Fazio’s/Facebook

Angelo’s

13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Debate the merits of deep-dish versus thin crust all you want, but it's hard not to be won over by Angelo's Chicago-influenced pies. We recommend ordering deep dish with the tender meatballs for a topping. At a time when ordering delivery has never been easier, an impressive draught beer selection and a friendly, neighborhood vibe make Angelo's, a frequent winner of Scene’s Best Of Best Pizza award, a worthy spot to dine in.

Photo via @AngelosLakewood/Instagram

Mama Santa’s

12301 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

Mama Santa’s has been serving up pies at the same Little Italy location since 1961. With its retro vibe, cheap wine, and stunningly inexpensive Italian eats, there’s no need to change much. Thin, greaseless, crisp-crusted pizza is the specialty of the casa; when you and the gang can score a 15-incher for less than 10 bucks, who cares if there's a wait for a table?

Photo via Mama Santa’s Pizzeria/Facebook