Who knew the Mitten State was hiding so much cheesy, saucy goodness?
Prepare your taste buds for a journey through Michigan’s pizza paradise!
1. Fricano’s Pizza Tavern (Grand Haven)
Located in a charming gray building with a distinctive red roof, Fricano’s Pizza Tavern in Grand Haven is a slice of Michigan pizza history.
This place has been tossing dough since before your grandpa’s mustache was cool (the first time).
The exterior might remind you of a cozy farmhouse, but inside, it’s all about that thin-crust magic.
Legend has it that the recipe hasn’t changed since 1949, and why mess with perfection?
The simplicity of their menu is refreshing in a world where some pizzerias offer more toppings than there are fish in Lake Michigan.
Here, it’s all about quality over quantity.
The thin, crispy crust is like the supermodel of pizza bases – slim, but with plenty of substance.
Walking in, you might feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine.
The vintage vibe is so strong, don’t be surprised if you start speaking in 1950s slang.
“Gee whiz, this pizza is the cat’s pajamas!”
Just remember, in Fricano’s, that’s a totally normal thing to say.
2. Buddy’s Pizza (Detroit)
If Detroit-style pizza were a superhero, Buddy’s would be its origin story.
This place is to square pizza what Henry Ford was to cars – a game-changer, but with less oil and more cheese.
The original location, with its vibrant blue awnings, stands out like a sapphire in the Motor City’s crown.
Buddy’s has been serving up rectangular slices of heaven since 1946, long before square was hip.
Their signature caramelized cheese crust is like the crispy edges of a grilled cheese sandwich, but better because, well, it’s pizza.
It’s the kind of crust that makes you wonder why circles ever became the default pizza shape.
Inside, the walls are adorned with enough Detroit memorabilia to make a local historian weep with joy.
It’s like eating in a museum, except here, you’re encouraged to make a mess and lick your fingers.
Just don’t try to take a bite out of the vintage signs – trust me, the pizza tastes much better.
3. Luigi’s Restaurant & Pizzeria (Flint)
Luigi’s in Flint is the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you knew about pizza.
It’s like the rebel of the pizza world – breaking rules and taking names, all while serving up slices that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
The exterior might not scream “gourmet pizza joint,” but that’s part of its charm.
It’s like that unassuming book that turns out to be a page-turner – except here, you’re turning pizza slices instead of pages.
The neon sign is a beacon of hope for the pizza-starved masses, guiding them to cheesy salvation.
Inside, it’s a no-frills affair.
The focus is on the food, not the decor.
It’s the pizza equivalent of a mullet – business in the front (serious about quality), party in the back (or rather, in your mouth).
Their unique topping combinations are like a flavor rave in your mouth, minus the glow sticks and questionable dance moves.
4. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant (Eastpointe)
Cloverleaf is like the wise old sage of the Detroit pizza scene.
It’s been around since 1946, which in pizza years is practically ancient.
The building might not look like much from the outside, but inside, it’s a treasure trove of pizza perfection.
This place is where the Detroit-style pizza was born, making it the pizza equivalent of the Big Bang.
The story goes that the original owner, Gus Guerra, used his wife’s Sicilian dough recipe and blue steel pans from the automotive industry.
It’s the most Detroit thing ever – turning car parts into pizza perfection.
The interior is a delightful mix of old-school charm and modern comfort.
It’s like your cool grandma’s house if your grandma was obsessed with making the perfect pizza.
The checkered tablecloths are so classic they make you want to break out into a spontaneous game of chess – with pizza slices as pieces, of course.
5. Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen (Marquette)
Up in Marquette, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen is like a warm hug on a cold Upper Peninsula day.
It’s the kind of place that makes you forget you’re in a state known more for lakes and cars than for pizza.
The red-tiled roof and stucco exterior transport you straight to Italy – or at least, the Italy of your pizza-fueled dreams.
Inside, it’s all about that cozy, family-style dining experience.
The aroma hits you like a friendly slap in the face from your Italian nonna – if you had one.
If not, congratulations, you’ve just been adopted by the pizza gods.
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Their pizzas are a perfect blend of traditional and innovative.
It’s like they took a classic Italian recipe, sent it on a vacation to Michigan, and it came back with some new ideas and a slight Midwest accent.
The result?
Pizza that’s both comfortingly familiar and excitingly different.
6. Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders (Multiple Locations)
Mancino’s is the overachiever of the Michigan pizza scene.
Not content with just mastering pizza, they had to go and become grinder experts too.
It’s like the straight-A student who’s also captain of the sports team – annoyingly good at everything.
The exterior of their stores might be simple, but don’t let that fool you.
Inside, it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen.
The menu is so extensive, you might need to take a breather halfway through reading it.
It’s like the War and Peace of pizza menus – long, but every bit is worth your attention.
Their grinders are the stuff of legend – sandwiches so big, you might need to unhinge your jaw like a snake to take a bite.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you grateful for elasticated waistbands.
As for the pizza, it’s the perfect balance of crispy and chewy, like a yoga master who’s also great at baking.
7. Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen (Grand Rapids)
Licari’s in Grand Rapids is where Old World Sicily meets Midwest charm.
The sleek, modern exterior with its black and white color scheme is like the tuxedo of pizza joints – classy, but you know it’s hiding some fun personality underneath.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a Sicilian family gathering – minus the loud arguments and overzealous cheek-pinching aunts.
The wood-fired oven is the heart of the restaurant, pumping out pizzas faster than you can say “Mamma mia!”
Their Sicilian-style pizzas are a revelation.
It’s like someone took all the best parts of Sicily – the flavors, the traditions, the passion – and stuffed them into a pizza crust.
Eating here is like taking a culinary vacation without the jet lag or the need to learn Italian.
Although, shouting “Bellissimo!” after each bite is strongly encouraged.
8. Klavon’s Pizzeria & Pub (Jackson)
Klavon’s in Jackson is the cool kid on the Michigan pizza block.
With its modern, almost industrial exterior, it looks more like a trendy microbrewery than a pizzeria.
But don’t worry, they haven’t sacrificed pizza perfection for style points.
Inside, it’s a perfect blend of sports bar energy and family-friendly atmosphere.
It’s like someone took a high-end pizza kitchen and a neighborhood pub, put them in a blender, and out came Klavon’s.
The result?
A place where you can watch the game, enjoy a craft beer, and indulge in some seriously good pizza.
Their Chicago-style stuffed pizza is a beast of a meal.
It’s less of a pizza and more of an edible fortress of cheese and toppings.
Tackling one of these is like embarking on a delicious adventure – you’ll need strategy, determination, and possibly a nap afterwards.
9. Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill (Ypsilanti)
Aubree’s in Ypsilanti is housed in a beautiful brick building that looks like it has stories to tell.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to sit down, order a pizza, and listen to the walls talk.
Of course, they can’t actually talk, but after a few slices of Aubree’s pizza, you might start to think they can.
The interior is a charming mix of old and new, like your favorite jeans paired with a snazzy new jacket.
The exposed brick walls and warm lighting create an atmosphere that’s both cozy and slightly upscale.
It’s the perfect spot for a first date, a family dinner, or a solo pizza adventure – we don’t judge.
Their menu is a beautiful tapestry of pizza possibilities.
From classic combinations to creations that make you go “Huh, I never thought of putting that on a pizza,” Aubree’s has it all.
It’s like they hired a mad scientist to run their kitchen, but in the best possible way.
10. Gus Guerra’s Original Cloverleaf (Eastpointe)
Last but certainly not least, we have Gus Guerra’s Original Cloverleaf in Eastpointe.
This place is pizza royalty, the OG of Detroit-style pizza.
Walking in here is like stepping into a time machine that’s been set to “peak pizza era.”
The restaurant has that classic diner feel, with a pizza twist.
It’s like the 1950s and modern-day Detroit had a baby, and that baby really loved pizza.
The checkered floor and cozy booths invite you to sit down and stay a while – which is good, because you’ll need time to fully appreciate the pizza perfection on offer.
Their Detroit-style pizza is the gold standard.
It’s the pizza that other pizzas dream of becoming when they grow up.
The crispy, cheesy edges are so good, they should be illegal.
But thank goodness they’re not, because a world without Cloverleaf’s pizza edges is not a world I want to live in.
From thin crust to deep dish, from traditional toppings to wild innovations, Michigan’s pizza scene is a testament to the state’s creativity and love for good food.
So next time you’re in the Mitten State, skip the pasties and dive into these cheesy wonders.
Your taste buds will thank you!