Best Places For Detroit Slices
There’s something irresistible about a perfectly baked Detroit-style pizza. Crispy edges and tangy sauce combine to create slices you’ll never forget. While everyone knows that Detroit started it all, other cities have risen to the challenge and perfected the style in their own way. This list highlights twenty cities where pizza lovers can find the best Detroit-style pies, so grab a napkin and follow along to see where every bite brings that iconic cheesy satisfaction.
1. Nashville, Tennessee
Detroit-style pizza in Nashville often comes topped with fiery hot chicken, pairing crispy square crust with the city’s signature spice. At Emmy Squared, caramelized edges meet smoky heat, which turns this Northern import into a Southern favorite that reflects Nashville’s bold food culture.
2. New York City, New York
Manhattan’s Lions & Tigers & Squares made Detroit-style pizza a cult hit by serving thick, airy dough in authentic blue steel pans. Contrasting the city’s iconic thin crust, these square pies with mozzarella edges and tangy sauce prove that even in New York, tradition can share space with reinvention.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Union Full Board brings Detroit squares into Chicago’s deep-dish territory. The appeal comes from airy crust and cheese that bakes into crisp corners. Many locals, used to rich slices, appreciate how this style feels satisfying without being overwhelming.
4. Los Angeles, California
Detroit-style pizza in LA feels like culinary theater. At Apollonia’s in Mid-Wilshire, diners line up for mozzarella walls that stretch dramatically over the crust. Other shops push vegan or gluten-free variations that give this Midwestern classic a distinctly Californian personality.
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah’s flair for Detroit-style pizza shines through at Bricks Corner, where honey drizzles over crispy pies for a sweet contrast. Locals embrace this twist at annual food events, making airy crusts with caramelized cheese borders feel perfectly suited to Salt Lake’s adventurous dining scene.
Garrett from Salt Lake City on Wikimedia
6. Portland, Oregon
In Portland, food trucks such as Ranch Pizza and Red Sauce Pizza keep Detroit-style square slices moving across neighborhoods. The pies feature thick, airy dough and salty cheese walls, often baked in vintage pans sourced from Michigan, creating a direct bridge to Motor City roots.
Brandon DesJarlais on Unsplash
7. San Francisco, California
San Francisco chefs love to fold sourdough starter into Detroit-style dough. Capo’s enhances the pies with a focaccia-like texture, while Cellarmaker House of Pizza uses bold toppings. At street festivals, the caramelized edges shine by giving residents something both familiar and strikingly new in flavor.
Frank Schulenburg on Wikimedia
8. Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s Moto Pizza serves Detroit-style pies with playful toppings like miso, crab, and foraged mushrooms. Crisp cheese borders and soft centers make them a competition favorite. In a region defined by creativity, these pizzas provide comfort against rainy weather and Pacific Northwest chill.
9. Boston, Massachusetts
Another city that takes Detroit-style pizza and adds its own spin. At Union Park Pizza, they mix mozzarella with sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor. Sports fans love grabbing a thick, hearty square slice while cheering on the Red Sox or Bruins—it’s pizza with plenty of local character and warmth.
Nelson48 at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
10. Miami, Florida
Detroit-style pizza in Miami pulls from the city’s vibrant mix of cultures. Vice City Pizza serves tropical-inspired versions topped with pineapple or Cuban chorizo. The caramelized cheese corners and bold flavors make these thick pies a nightlife staple, eaten after concerts or club hours.
11. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s Down North Pizza adapts Detroit-style to local culture. Square pies feature cheesesteak-themed ingredients, including provolone and regional meats, on thick crusts. Beyond flavor, the restaurant integrates a social mission by illustrating how culinary borrowing can coexist with community-focused tradition.
12. Columbus, Ohio
Detroit-style pizza feels almost native in Columbus. Yellow Brick Pizza and Wizard of Za focus on airy crusts and Ohio-grown tomatoes for bright flavor. Students pack in late at night and treat these hearty square slices as fuel during exams and lively campus weekends.
13. Minneapolis, Minnesota
At Wrecktangle Pizza, Detroit-style takes on Minnesota roots with wild rice and sausage toppings. Thick, crunchy corners match perfectly with local craft beer, a staple pairing across the city’s taprooms. This mix of bold crust and Midwest pride reflects Minneapolis’s culinary creativity.
14. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s Blue Pan Pizza leads the charge in honoring Detroit-style. Known for using imported Wisconsin brick cheese, it layers bold flavors with local touches like Hatch green chiles. Pizza expos and city festivals showcase these square slices, making Detroit’s classic an official Mile High favorite.
15. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh adds its own character to Detroit-style pizza with pepperoni cups and pierogi-inspired toppings at Iron Born Pizza. These thick slices are a hit in sports bars during Steelers games, which shows that the city knows how to merge heritage foods with modern Midwestern trends.
16. Austin, Texas
Via 313 sparked Austin’s love for Detroit-style pizza by serving hearty squares piled with brisket or jalapeños. Thick crusts and caramelized edges pair naturally with local craft beers. These casual pies, often sold by the slice, reflect Austin’s laid-back style of eating without ceremony.
17. Cleveland, Ohio
In this city, Il Rione and others serve thick, square pies with caramelized sausage and airy crusts. At the Cleveland Pizza Festival, locals sample dozens of variations that confirm that the style isn’t just a trend but a mainstay of regional food culture.
18. Phoenix, Arizona
Detroit-style in Phoenix gets a bold Southwestern kick. Federal Pizza highlights spicy chorizo and roasted peppers, giving every square a fiery bite. Caramelized cheese edges offset the heat, while craft beer bars transform these pies into the centerpiece of Arizona’s fast-growing pizza culture.
19. Charlotte, North Carolina
In Charlotte, Detroit-style pizza often meets Southern barbecue. Intermezzo pairs square pies with smoked pork or local sausage to create savory comfort food. Crowds gather at breweries to enjoy this hearty dish, making it less about authenticity and more about flavor shaped by Carolina traditions.
20. Washington, D.C.
Detroit-style pizza in D.C. finds a surprising home near Capitol Hill. Emmy Squared serves square pies layered with mozzarella and cheddar, sometimes accented by Chesapeake Bay crab. The pizza often appears at political receptions and proves that even lawmakers can agree on Motor City flavor.
