First created in Naples, Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries, pizza has since become an American favorite. Pizza, which is traditionally comprised of melted cheese, tomato sauce and additional toppings atop a flatbread crust, has caused great rifts between cities like New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, which all claim to have the cheesiest, most savory and most affordable slice of pie.
We hit the streets of Atlanta to see if our city was a worthy contender. Our quest for the best pizza: Roadtrip Edition would take us to Jack’s Pizza and Wings, Fellini’s Pizza and Grant Central Pizza.
We began our search with a visit to Jack’s Pizza and Wings (676 Highland Ave.) The restaurant’s grungy interior almost convinced us to leave; the dark walls were littered with graffiti and the vinyl seats were severely peeling. Loud 90’s alternative rock echoed throughout the tiny space.
After claiming a booth in the corner, we asked our waiter for the most popular slice. Raburn suggested two specialty pizzas—Soul Food, which had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens and gravy, or Jason, topped with macaroni and cheese and Sriracha-candied bacon. Intrigued about the unique choices, we ordered a slice of the Jason ($5.99).
While the menu included a disclaimer concerning the restaurant’s slow service, we were still surprised when our pizza took 25 minutes to appear. The large slice was garnished with approximately half an inch of macaroni and cheese and bacon crumbles. Our original reservations about the restaurant were completely forgotten when we took the first bite. The pasta shells were perfectly coated in wonderfully gooey, creamy cheese, all perched on the pizza’s thin and crispy crust. The candied bacon added both sweet and salty flavors to the dish. Agreeing the pizza was sublime, we wondered if any other restaurant could top its originality and creative ingredients. Our waiter recommended we head to Fellini’s Pizza for a more family-oriented pizza shop.
We choose to walk to the West Side Fellini’s Pizza location (1991 Howell Mill Rd.). As soon as we stepped in the door, we were instantly immersed in the delicious aromas of melted cheese and rising bread. We quickly stepped up to order a slice of the recommended white cheese pizza ($3.70), which included mozzarella and ricotta cheese and was seasoned with basil and garlic. We received a fairly large slice of pizza — a perfect snack for two. Although the crust’s interior was soft and fluffy, the bread was still crispy on the outside. Unfortunately, the tomato sauce was thin and the pizza itself was extremely greasy. Though it was tasty, Fellini’s pizza left something to be desired. Not ready to give up on our search, we asked our server for his/her recommendation. He suggested Grant Central Pizza.
Arriving at Grant Central Pizza (451 Cherokee Ave.), we noted the relaxed and welcoming environment, complete with old-fashioned booths and friendly staff. Our waitress suggested we order her favorite dish — a customized pizza slice with blackened chicken, basil and tomatoes ($4.20). We received our slice within a matter of minutes. The blackened chicken was tender and smoky, a perfect pairing for the fresh tomatoes and basil. While not as exciting as the macaroni and cheese pizza, the slice was of high quality.
About halfway through our meal, another waitress approached us inquiring about our drinks, which we hadn’t noticed were missing. She rushed off to get our waters and also returned with a complimentary brownie.
While we had the best overall experience at Grant Central Pizza, we ate our favorite pizza slice at Jack’s Pizza and Wings. Fellini’s also offered up a decent slice, but the pizza itself was nothing special and was altogether too greasy. Offering both classic and specialty pizzas, Jack’s Pizza and Wings has an option for everybody. After getting used to the unconventional ambience of the restaurant, we thoroughly enjoyed the deliciously unusual Jason slice.
