Beyond traditional toppings like pepperoni and anchovies, Pinks offers a slew of specialty pizzas in 12- and 16-inch sizes. The Big Boss piles on a hefty mix of pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, beef, and Canadian bacon, while the Southwestern packs a punch with barbecue chicken and jalapeños. For those with dietary restrictions, Pinks offers dairy-free mozzarella and gluten-free crusts.

This rustic Heights restaurant keeps things simple and sophisticated with pizza offerings built with farm fresh toppings. Standouts include a pie topped with slow-cooked pork, peppers, caramelized onions, chiles, Italian cheese, sauce Bianco, and fennel pollen, or a pie topped with squash, smoked mozzarella, pesto, and pine nuts. For something more traditional, spring for the Revival Pepperoni, a comforting pie topped with pepperoni, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Named after a red supergiant star but pronounced “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” this newly-opened cocktail bar promises an intergalactic theme with cheesy, crispy-crusted pizzas, all baked in cast iron pans. The Pepps pizza, made with natural-cased pepperoni, and the cheese pizza are both classics, but if you’re being adventurous, try the Alpha Centauri, made with house-made sausage, sauteed peppers, Calabrian chili oil, and a hint of orange zest. Big fan of dough? Order the Space Balls, which are like a fried hybrid of garlic bread and beignets, served with marinara.

With owners from New York, Romano’s is the place for those seeking out a true slice from the Big Apple. Despite its ritzy River Oaks address, the sights and sounds within the no-frills cafe are true of an old-fashioned pizza parlor. Pies are prepared on fresh dough — baked daily — with toppings that range from traditional pepperoni and Italian sausage to spinach and feta cheese. For a carb-loaded bite, there is the Sicilian deep dish presented in thick square slices. Go for the pizza, but stay for all of the additional Italian eats. Along with cheesy calzones and hot and cold subs, Romano’s offers a legendary baked ziti dinner.

At this Napoletana-style pizzeria, red and white pies are baked at 900 degrees in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. Choose your own adventure with toppings like Iberico de bellota, prosciutto, and goat cheese or select from favorites like the fragrant, truffle oil-topped patata y funghi. New York and Detroit-style offerings are available, too, including Pizaro’s signature Detroit-style pie stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. Insider tip: Pizaro’s is BYOB.

This EaDo pizza destination is a crust-lovers’ haven. Thick, bread-y slices provide a solid base for hearty meats, veggies, and cheese. The provolone-topped classic pairs pepperoni and Italian sausage with mushrooms, red peppers, onions, and olives, while the Maui Wowie layers roasted pineapple with prosciutto and pickled jalapeños. Visit for lunch and enjoy a pizza-combo meal for a cool $11.

Fans of Nancy’s Hustle will agree that its sister concept Tiny Champions is a huge win for Houston’s East End. Imaginative pizzas like the fennel sausage or anchovy filets with garlic grace the menu, along with a quality wine list and interesting beverages, including plenty of zero-proof cocktails. Pies are all 14 inches, making them totally shareable — or not. Visit on a Wednesday, when Detroit-style slices are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Part dive bar, part pizza parlor, Love Buzz serves up slices and creative whole pies on house-fermented dough until the wee hours of 2 a.m. Have your breakfast pizza for dinner with the Wake and Bake — a one-of-a-kind egg, bacon, and hash brown-topped pie, or try the sweet and fiery Spittin’ Venom with fresh jalapeños, fresh habaneros, and chipotle honey.

Rock on with Parmesan at the Gypsy Poet Studio. The Midtown pizza destination recently opened a second outpost in the Heights, with both locations offering a curated menu of 13-inch artisan pizzas. Try the Sicilian Journey, a white pizza topped with Italian sausage and ricotta, or the spicy Pepperoni Madness, a fan favorite, topped with big pepperoni, mozzarella, and hot honey. At the heart of Gypsy Poet is its platform as an artist’s studio for local musicians. Take in the sounds of live music or sit in on an active rehearsal session while noshing.

As if dough going airborne isn’t enough to get anyone’s attention, this 51-year-old restaurant backs up its pizza-tossing skills with freshness and flavor. With owners from New York by way of Sicily, Antonio’s offers pies up to 16 inches with a host of toppings. Trust the staff to choose a combination for you and get one of many seriously delicious signature styles, including the Tartufa, topped with mushrooms, prosciutto, mozzarella, cream sauce, and truffle oil. Add the fried calamari or a pasta dish — features that prove Antonio’s does all Italian well.

This casual, neighborhood Italian restaurant with New York City origins, serves classic Southern Italian dishes. The breads, pastas, and pizza dough are handmade daily. The Neopolitan-style pizzas, with a light, crispy, and blistered crust, are a main feature on the menu. Choose from red and white sauce options. The namesake Numero28 pizza with speck (smoked prosciutto), mozzarella, mushrooms, truffle cream is a standout.

At Luna Pizzeria, the 9-inch personal pizzas are meant to be just that — a concoction of your favorite ingredients. In addition to the build-your-own option, six styles are offered, including the margherita, pepperoni, mushroom, sausage, spicy andouille, and prosciutto and arugula. While the individual pies are perfect to keep all to yourself, for $8 more, you can score a large to share. Sweeten the experience by playing the board games on hand, and split a toasty apple crostata for dessert.

Named after the American gangster Al Capone, this 1920’s Upper Kirby hangout offers quality Italian eats with live music on the weekends. Pies range from traditional (as in the veggie or margherita), to adventurous like the Big Otis, which is topped with skirt steak, smoked chicken, and applewood-smoked bacon. Visit on a Monday for half-priced pizza all day.

The perennial favorite of Austinites is now open in Midtown. Home Slice is known for huge slices of hand-tossed, crispy, thin crust pizza where you can build your own whole pie or get a slice of the classics. Its seven “tried and true” pies includes a traditional Margherita with fresh mozzarella, diced Roma tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and basil and the White Clam Pizza with chopped clams, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh oregano and Pecorino Romano. If Austin and Houston can agree on something, its pizza.

Hidden in plain sight at Axelrad Beer Garden in Midtown, Luigi’s is one of the city’s best-kept pizza secrets. Oversized slices are available in varieties like margherita, Caprese, or the Mexicana, built with fajita meat and pico de gallo. Plus, New York-style pies up to 16 inches can be ordered and enjoyed throughout the sprawling grounds. Pull up a hammock and stay awhile. Outside of Houston’s city limits but still craving Luigi’s? Try its Bellaire and League City locations.

Reminiscent of old-school pizza joints, locals swear by this East End, family-owned establishment for dishing out consistently good pizza with a side of nostalgia for more than 40 years. All favorites, including the Super Duper supreme, Meat Lovers, and a Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple, can be customized with thin, New York-style, deep dish, or whole wheat crusts, and pair well with the crispy wings, fried pickles, and cheesy breadsticks.