For Yankees and folks in the West Coast, the southern part of the US can be a rather confusing culture yet also an adventure in itself. The folks there do have their own views on history and politics, and they have an excellent cuisine for you to try. But they’re still Americans, which means you can still find an excellent pizza in any state of the South.
Sure, you can find plenty of fast-casual pizza chain restaurants there as well. Check out any Blaze Pizza location, and you’ll find that a large Pepperoni Pizza is only $9.70, which makes it a terrific value for your money. But if you want something truly magnificent, then you’ll want to get your pizza in the following places:
Louisiana – Dean-O’s Pizza
This place in Lafayette has been going strong for about 50 years now, so it’s safe to say that they know what they’re doing when it comes to pizza. They established their reputation by infusing their pizza craftmanship with that unmistakable Cajun flavor.
Your first pizza here should be the Cajun Executioner, but that’s only if you can handle really spicy food. This will really set your mouth ablaze with its Cajun spiciness, but in a really good way. You get that tasty pepperoni with some spicy sausage and hot shrimp, along with lots of jalapeño slices.
If that kind of heat is too hot for you, then you may want to opt for the Marie Leveaux pizza instead. It comes with crab and onions, and a ton of mushrooms to really get you going.
Mississippi — Pop’s Pizzeria
Come to Biloxi and look for Pop’s Pizzeria, where the pizza is just unforgettable. They have this great brick oven where they create the delicious crust with its fantastic texture that will just tempt you to eat slice after slice.
For those who love meat on their pizza, the best option is the aptly named pizza called The Carnivore. It’s not enough that they load this pizza with pepperoni, bacon, ground beef, and ham. They also put in 2 different kinds of sausage as well.
And it’s not just the food here that makes people come back again and again. The prices are more than reasonable, plus the service is excellent.
Alabama – Davenport’s Pizza Palace
You’ll find this pizza parlor in Mountain Brook. It’s a small city of less than 23,000 people, but they sure have one heck of a pizza place to boast about. Not only is Davenport’s Pizza Palace widely regarded as the best pizza parlor in Alabama, but some of its fervent fans (especially those from out of state) contend that it’s the best pizza joint in the whole world.
It’s now in its 58th year of operation, and it’s still as popular as ever. And plenty of kids and members of local youth sports team like to hang out here, because they have classic arcade games as well.
But it’s the pizza here that takes the spotlight, and each pizza on the menu is great. That’s because of the fresh toppings, with options ranging from anchovies to classic pepperoni.
Georgia – Antico Pizza Napoletana
You can actually find several locations in the state for Antico Pizza Napoletana, but this isn’t your ordinary pizza chain restaurant. As the name of the place indicates, it’s all about serving real Italian pizza.
The bestsellers here include the classic Margherita, which they top with tomatoes, basil, and garlic. You should also try their Capricciosa pizza, on which you’ll find prosciutto cotto, artichoke, and mushrooms. It also features mozzarella cheese that comes from the milk of Italian buffalo. How much more Italian can you get?
South Carolina – Pizza Kovachi
This pizza parlor in Lexington has a wide range of specialty pizza pies, and if you’re really an avowed pizza fan, you’ll take the time and effort to try them all. It’ll be worth it, and you just might find your new favorite pizza.
One pizza you should try is the classic Pepperoni Lover pizza. It’s not your regular pepperoni pizza, because it features 3 different types of pepperoni, and each type offers a very distinct flavor that will tickle your taste buds.
Then there’s the Italia Pizza, which is also great for meat lovers. It features pepperoni, salami, sausage, and ham. You should also try the Bobby Q pizza, with its chicken, bacon, onions, and barbecue sauce.
Texas – Home Slice Pizza
Is Texas part of the Deep South? Let the historians and sociologists argue about that. For pizza lovers, the ongoing question is: where in this large state can you find the best pizza? For many, the answer is in Austin, and more specifically, in Home Slice Pizza.
Yes, it’s Austin, and this place is “hip”. But the folks who run the place really know what they’re about. This pizza parlor has become so famous for its terrific pizza that it’s now considered a landmark. Their New York-style pizza is terrific, and you really must try their Pepperoni & Mushroom pizza!
