Over the years, restaurants in Toronto that specialize in cheesy, greasy pies have done anything and everything to make theirs stand out — from unconventional toppings to perfecting vegan and gluten-free doughs. But toppings aside, there’s one style of pizza that can’t be called anything else, and that’s the infamous Detroit-style pie.
Most pizzas follow the same formula: roll out the dough, press it into a circular pan, spread on the homestyle tomato sauce, sprinkle generously with mozzarella, layer the toppings, and bake until done. Detroit-style pizzas, affectionately called “upside-down pizzas” are rectangular and always, always have a thick crust that is both perfectly crispy and chewy at the same time (ask for a thin-crust Detroit-style pizza and see what happens). Instead of adding sauce next, the pizza uses Wisconsin brick cheese, as opposed to the classic Mozzarella. Then, other toppings are added, and lastly, the tomato sauce is dolloped on top.
Have we convinced you yet? Here are four places in Toronto to try Detroit-style pizza.
Beauty Eats
Owned by the Oliver & Bonacini restaurant group, Beauty Eats, formerly Beauty BBQ, revamped its smokehouse offerings to include decadent Detroit-style pizzas, alongside other staple comfort foods like fried chicken, savoury brisket, and creamy mac ‘n’ cheese.
All of the pizzas in this North York eatery are one size, and cooked in blue steel pans — unique to Detroit’s automotive history. The dough rests for at least 48 hours prior to going in the oven, and each takes at least 25 minutes to cook.
Beauty offers seven unique pies, cut into eight squares. Prices range from $27 for the classic (pizza sauce, Italian oregano, fresh basil) up to $34 for the sweet + spicy sausage which comes layered in housemade italian fennel sausage, calabrian chilies and housemade bacon.
Descendant
Located in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, Descendant holds the title as Toronto’s first-ever Detroit-style pizzeria.
The menu is unpretentious — there are just eight pizzas available in either small or large. Prices start at $16 for a small and run up to $37 for a large. Toppings include everything from coconut sambol on the “Jaffna” pie, to a more classic house-made fennel sausage crumble atop the “Gatt-Daddy.”
Saints Island Pies
Most people have heard of the ham and pineapple combo on a classic Hawaiian pizza, but what about whole rings of roasted pineapple paired with a smokey marinated shaved pork shoulder?
Blending Detroit-style with Filipino ingredients, Saints Island Pies brings a little island flair to the old-fashioned dough, sauce and cheese recipe. From breakfast toppings like fried egg and sausage atop the Bespren Loganizza, to smoked sardines and cotija cheese on the Tinapa Papa, every creation is sure to satisfy those with an experienced palette.
Getting your hands on a slice from Saints is more of a luxury than a convenience.
The company started by running pop-ups all over the city, and notifying those eager to try a slice by posting upcoming dates to Instagram. But after much success, they opened a permanent location (with a new name) at 1564 Queen St. W.
They’ve been on a well-deserved summer break, but they’re back on Aug. 31!
8Mile Pizza
Although its website doesn’t look like much, 8Mile Pizza’s Instagram account is home to some seriously ooey-gooey goodness that shows why it’s a strong contender for best Detroit-style pie in Toronto.
There are 16 pizzas to choose from, including a few veggie-friendly options at this joint located in Toronto’s Bloor-Yonge neighbourhood. The pizzas are made in one size only, and range from $17 to $23+. As far as toppings go, the selection is relatively tame with standard variations like the meat love (sausage, ham, pepperoni, bacon) and the Oh Canada (bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms).
Not sure what pie to buy? 8Mile has a special “half-half” option for walk-in customers which gives them the option of trying two different signature pizzas at once (half on one side, and half on the other).
And, so as not to let all of that good crust go to waste, there are some tasty dipping sauces on the menu, like the smoked jalapeño. This place also sells dessert, for those who still have room.
