By DATHAN KAZSUK
March 14th is a day that both math enthusiasts and foodies have circled on their calendars. Why? Because it’s Pi Day! A celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter—roughly 3.14—and an irresistible excuse to indulge in circular treats like pies, and in my case, pizza.
Pi Day first gained recognition in 1988, thanks to physicist Larry Shaw, who organized the inaugural celebration at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Over the years, Pi Day has evolved beyond the realm of mathematicians, becoming a quirky cultural phenomenon embraced by schools, bakeries, and, of course, social media influencers.
So, this year, I, along with one of our top food writers, Elliott Acosta (a.k.a. eatRaleigh—visit his restaurant review site at eatRaleigh.com) and Elizabeth Brignac and Kyle Marie McMahon, Midtown‘s editor and associate editor, decided to put our stomachs on the line for science (or at least for social media clout). We selected six favorite pizza joints here in Raleigh, trying to avoid major chains—we know you might have another pie that’s your go-to, so please let us know so we can check it out!
Our quest kicked off at Trophy Brewing & Pizza on Morgan Street, where we went for the “Most Loyal” — a fan favorite, according to chef Sam. This pie came loaded with a creamy pesto base, local tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto chicken and a delicate drizzle of honey. “It sounds like a hodgepodge of ingredients thrown on a pizza,” said Acosta, “but the combination shows off the fun you can have when taken outside the basic cheese and pepperoni borders.”
When one comes to Trophy Brewing, you come in part for the atmosphere. This site is exceptional for hanging out with friends while you share a pizza, grab a few drinks and bring your dog to bask in the outdoor seating area.
Our next stop was a brisk three-block stroll to Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria‘s new Glenwood South location, conveniently located next to Dram & Draught. (I won’t lie — it took some serious willpower not to detour for a quick old fashioned, but we stayed the course. Pizza first, cocktails later.)
The thin dough made for an effortless “fold,” the true mark of a no-fuss, classic slice. We paused just long enough to hit it with a sprinkle of fresh oregano and a dash of red pepper flakes—because that’s what you do. It was easy eating, though a rogue slice or two seemed to lose some mozzarella to its neighbor, a cheesy casualty.
But hey, it’s Vic’s—a Raleigh staple. And despite the mozzarella mix-up, this pie held its own and kept us thoroughly impressed. As Acosta put it, “This is a night-out pizza. Something you snag before hitting the town.” Brignac was impressed, particularly with the sauce, but she’s been going to Vic’s for decades, so she considers herself biased. McMahon’s verdict: “It has a very traditional flavor and reminded me of my mother-in-law’s Sunday sauce. The mozzarella was good but unevenly spread.”
Shifting from sleek and modern to straight-up old school, our next stop took us down New Bern Avenue to Frank’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant. Established in 1976—and judging by the decor, I’d bet they haven’t touched a thing since opening day. Water stains freckle the ceiling, and half the bulbs in the dining room’s chandelier have given up. The whole place is practically begging for an HGTV intervention—but this is the place we all remembered from childhood. A place where our parents brought us all for family night dinner out.
But hey, you don’t stick around for 49 years without doing something right. Brignac asked the “chef” if he had a favorite—and let’s use that title loosely because it looked more like Chef Drew tossing pizzas in the oven. Eventually, he shrugged and said the Pizza Steak was his masterpiece.
This large pie was locked and loaded with a double dose of cheese, shaved steak and a few mushrooms hidden like secret agents under the gooey layer. If you crave a beefy cheeseburger but wish it came in pizza form, congratulations—you’ve found your match.
“I enjoyed the thicker amount of cheese, and my first few bites were heaven. It may have been my excitement in finally getting a plain cheese pizza and the fact that it was blazing hot, but as it cooled, the flavor wasn’t really there,” said McMahon. Acosta added, “I did come to appreciate how generous the pizza was. There was a generous amount of steak, a generous amount of cheese and a generous amount of grease.” Brignac enjoyed the atmosphere— “All it needs is a Ms. Pacman machine in the corner to resurrect the pizza places of my childhood” she said—and recommends ordering the Sicilian when you come. The Sicilian is a square-shaped pizza with a crust almost like focaccia bread, and it’s a rare offering in Raleigh. (Plan a wait or order in advance, since it takes a while to bake.)
Less than two miles from Frank’s, we landed at the ever-popular Oakwood Pizza Box at 610 N. Person Street. If you’re willing to wait—and trust me, there’s usually a wait—you’re in for an almost perfect pizza experience. McMahon took her love for pizza back to Brooklyn, mentioning L&B Spumoni Gardens for its classic and authentic square pizza they’re known for. Talk about nostalgia.
Oakwood doesn’t overwhelm you with choices like Trophy. It’s simple: cheese, square or white pizza with a handful of toppings. But that simplicity, paired with the precision of how they bake each pie, has made this spot one of Raleigh’s hottest joints.
And if you like a glass of wine with your pizza, you’re in luck. I’ve had California winemakers tell me the pizza-and-wine pairings here are nothing short of a story in every bite. But just a friendly neighborhood reminder: expect a wait, either to find a place to sit or after you place your order—but with perfection comes a price.
“While there wasn’t one element that outdid the others, I think each part worked together as a team to make the best all-around slice,” said McMahon of her slice of cheese pizza at Oakwood.
Ahhh—it’s been a Raleigh staple for ages. That would be Lilly’s Pizza, holding it down at 1813 Glenwood Avenue. Known for its bold, creative pies like the Hawaiian Punch, Dante’s Inferno (my favorite), and The Buddha, this spot has built a cult following over the years.
Founded in 1993 and shifting ownership in 2003, Lilly’s still pulls in the loyalists and racks up awards. Our only gripe? Trying to score a parking spot—it’s practically a sport of its own!
Acosta couldn’t help but reminisce about the “golden” years at Lilly’s, saying, “Back then, it had more of a punk rock vibe, and it always seemed like customers were a burden to the employees.” Honestly, we kind of miss those days. It was like a tamed-down version of Dirty Dick’s Crab House—where the attitude was part of the charm, and the pizza was worth the side-eye.
After covering so much ground in and around downtown Raleigh, we figured it was only fair to toss north Raleigh a bone. So, we made our way to Gino’s Pizza, tucked inside the Pleasant Valley Promenade at 6260 Glenwood Avenue.
This is your classic, no-frills pizza joint—the kind with mismatched tables and booths, a giant soda fountain machine humming in the corner, stacks of pizza boxes piling up to the ceiling and black-and-white tile floors that have seen a few decades of pizza lovers come and go.
The menu keeps it old school, too, with specialty pies like Gino’s Supreme, meat lovers, white pizza and the Lasagna Pizza—which definitely grabbed our attention. But as our final stop of the day, with our stomachs dangerously close to full capacity, we played it safe and ordered a half cheese, half pepperoni ‘za.
The pizza? Pure nostalgia, served in a well-loved metal tray. It’s the kind of slice that takes you back to those childhood spots that didn’t have “Hut” in the name, where the grease pooled just enough to form a shiny film on top. You know the drill—grab the shaker of grated parmesan to soak up that extra cheese grease. And honestly? It was great. Simple. Familiar. The kind of place that doesn’t need hype because it’s all about memories—and that’s exactly why you’ll keep coming back.
“This is your utilitarian pizza, the one you get for a company potluck, for take out or while watching the game,” Acosta said after completing our first slice.
At the end of the day, every pizza slice we devoured had its highs and lows, but Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria and Oakwood Pizza Box rose to the top as staff favorites—solid spots we’d happily hit up again.
We know just how passionate people get about their food—pizza especially. And let’s be honest, there’s a good chance we missed your go-to pie spot. It’s not that we don’t appreciate your favorite slice, but with only four of us tackling this pizza quest, there’s only so much dough, cheese and sauce we can handle in one day around Raleigh.
So here’s the deal—drop your favorite pizza joints in the comments. Who knows? Next year, as Pi Day rolls around, you might just catch us at your spot, forks (or let’s be real—hands) at the ready!
