I love pizza: My top spots in Miami

(Editor’s Note: This is for the carefree, pizza-lover looking for good pizza. Who knows? Maybe, your hot recruiter loves pizza as much as ....)

 

 

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

 

We know, we know.

You’ve lived in Miami for 25 years, stare at a red apple while you drink your coffee each morning, own more Yankees’ T-shirts than flip flops, still insist going knee-deep into the water at Coney Island in October is a day at the beach, believe the Knicks are going to win the championship in 2015 and like your pizza with extra cheese.

Relax, Joey. Just because you left your heart and Johnny’s Pizza in the rearview mirror in 1989, doesn’t mean you can’t have an awesome pizza - or whole pie if you don’t mind how your Lawrence Taylor jersey fits – in Miami, whenever you’re not visiting your parents in Boca Raton or watching the Giants in your condo in Aventura.

 Frankie’s Pizza: Go elsewhere if you think Reggie Jackson will be smiling back at you when you open the front door and take a peek at the sidewall and are in the mood for a little Frank Sinatra, because there is NO ATTITUDE (got it!) to this tiny and iconic 40^th street pizzeria. What you will find is a ready-to-serve staff behind the counter itching to warm up your hands with a crunchy and cheesy rectangular slice of pizza. You might need to ask – politely! – for extra napkins after eating three tomato and cheese slices ($1.40 each), like I used to do as a high school senior in 1989. I have special memories of this place. I promise you will too.  (9118 Bird Road, Miami, FL, 33165, 305-221-0221, frankiespizzaonline.com)

                                          Frankie's veggie awesomeness...

 

Thea Pizzeria: Thea picked up her dough a few years ago and moved into this cozy and hip space, which serves crunchy and ridiculously fresh pizza with just the right amount of sauce and cheese. And Thea is certainly creative, especially when it comes to the antichoke pizza, which features pureed antichokes with arugula and grana padano over a thin crust. They make some mean sandwiches and salads, too. So, if you work in Downtown Miami or your date is hungry after the Heat game…(951 NW 7^th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136, 305-777-3777)

 

Pizzarium: It says it right on the front window: “A Slice of Rome”.  And you really have to love the Giants to not give your Sunday Ticket a break and come lose yourself in one of Pizzarium’s rectangular Roman pies, all sold by the slice. You’re going to forget about Eli Manning when you bit into their half-inch crust with a chewy exterior. Their porcini mushroom is going to have you believing the Giants are Super Bowl-bound, only after you’ve had a tomato and cheese slice. The pizza is pre-cut and pre-baked, so don’t be shy about asking them for a fresh tray of all that awesome pizza. (69 E. Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131, 305-381-6025)

 

Kings County Pizza: Still can’t get Johnny’s from Brooklyn out of your leather jacket? Well, this is as close as you’re going to get to NY-style pizza in the 305. Grab some garlic knots, if you must. But I suggest you leave plenty of room for the Sicilian, a square pie with a hearty portion of mozzarella and tomato sauce on a really doughy crust.  Want more? You can’t go wrong with the Grandma, a square pie with a thin crust. The pizza is so good; you’re going to think Derek Jeter is hitting .358. (18228 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160, 305-792-9455)

 

Pucci’s Pizza: Pucci’s is thisclose to my heart, since Pucci’s was an integral part of some of the best days of my life when I could literally stretch my right arm and grab a slice from Pucci’s on Washington Avenue after behaving very nicely at Louis Puig’s Club 609. And wouldn’t you know it, little has changed. This is my spot after a Heat game or when I go visit a friend in the area. The cheese and pepperoni is to die for, according to her, and my all-veggie pie is always fresh and cheesy-chewy. You may not consider it a slice of Brooklyn in downtown Miami, but it comes pretty close. (888 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132, 305-358-8881)

                                 Who hasn't had a late-night slice at Pucci's?

Lucali: Let me get something out of the way: I want to apologize to all “New Yorkers” that would never pay $8 for extra topping on their pizza, but remember this is the most expensive pizza in the 305.  But if you love soft dough with a crunchy finish and tomato sauce with a sweet kick, you’re going to think you were in section 214 of Citi Field eating a steak pretzel. (1930 Bay Road, Miami, FL 33139, 305-695-4441)

Honorable mention: Miami’s Best Pizza (hurry!), Steve’s Pizza, Pizza Rustica, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza (my personal favorite)http://latinbeatsvibe.blogspot.com/2014/08/anthonys-coal-fired-pizza-my-endless.html?spref=bl