Downtown Las Vegas is hot. The Fremont Street Experience, Fremont East and The Arts District have all had major makeovers within the last decade, thanks to pioneers like Derek Stevens, Tony Hsieh and James Trees. And the Huntridge District seems poised to join them.
What may surprise visitors and locals alike is the proliferation of amazing and distinctly different pizzerias. If you’re a casual pizza fan, that means you can find a great slice in any Downtown neighborhood. If you’re a serious pizza fanatic, you may want to consider plotting your own DTLV Pizza Tour.
The Neon Feast restaurant guide lists 14 of the best pizzerias throughout the valley, with a separate list of five great pizza spots in Downtown Las Vegas. Here’s a short rundown of those picks. (Click the links for more information on each.)
Good Pie (1212 Main St.)
With a slice window out front, plenty of indoor seating, a great bar program and a cool vibe, Good Pie is an Arts District institution. The signature style is Grandma Pies: thin-crust rectangular pizzas made with dough that’s been fermented for three days, topped with high-quality tomato sauce and cheese. Rotolo is so dedicated to keeping this Long Island-born style alive, he’s decorated the restaurant with photos of grandmothers. But Good Pie also offers Brooklyn Round, Sicilian and Detroit-style pies. If you want to get more creative, ask about the Fried Pizza with burrata or the Detroit Stuffed Chicken Parm.
Pop Up Pizza (The Plaza)
Located in the lobby of The Plaza, Pop Up is award-winning pizzaiola Michael Vakeen’s most traditional creation. It’s extremely casual, with counter service and a handful of tables, and décor that maintains an NYC vibe with a Beastie Boys-inspired mural and other Big Apple references. All of the pies and slices are made with California tomatoes, sausage from Chicago and Brooklyn-born mozzarella. Among the available toppings for the round and square pizzas, you’ll find Creamy Onion Spinach & Mushroom, and Hot Pepperoni.
Pizza Rock (201 N. 3rd Street)
Thirteen-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani has received just about every accolade imaginable for his California and Las Vegas restaurants, and is in the process of opening franchises for his Slice House brand across the country. But this location of Pizza Rock (there’s another one in the Green Valley Ranch casino) offers more styles of pizza than any of them. We’re talking Napoletana, Romana, Classic American, Classic Italian, Grandma, Sicilian, Detroit, California, Chicago Cracker Thin Crust, New York/New Haven and even Gluten-free in the dining room and bar, with New York slices available at the 3rd Street window.
Evel Pie (508 E. Fremont Street)
Combining Evel Knievel fandom with a punk rock aesthetic, this East Fremont pizzeria serves New York-style slices in a dining room packed with memorabilia and a pinball machine, and has a back patio perfect for bands. Try a signature rattlesnake slice as you people-watch the tourists, punks, and hipsters who collide here from early afternoon until late into the night. The real surprise is how good the pizza tastes, even without the theme. So if the gritty, irreverent atmosphere isn’t for you, grab a whole pie or a few slices to go.
Yukon Pizza (1130 E. Charleston Blvd.)
This family-run shop near the historic Huntridge Theater has earned a devoted following, particularly after winning a top prize at the International Pizza Challenge. The pizzas are built around a sourdough starter that dates back five generations, originally cultivated in the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush. The result is a rich, crackly and chewy crust with an astounding depth of flavor. Expect a mix of traditional Neapolitan pies and offbeat creations, such as Sausage & Kale or the garlic-loaded “You Had Me At Garlic,” each one powered by that unique dough.
They missed Chicago Brewery in the Four Queens. While the prices have gone up a LOT in the last several years, their thin crust Miracle Mile is fantastic. LVA should review it sometime.