Wonderful Wednesday; Every Day is Pizza Day!
What are My Top 4 Pizza Recommendations?
My $10 per meal mantra is an easy one to follow in Gainesville when you are hungry for pizza! Wednesday is pizza day for me, and there are plenty of options on Wednesdays, or any days, to find some good, fresh pie to fill you belly.
So without further adieu, I will post my favorite four pizza options beginning with my favorite selection, based on both taste and cost.
1. Leonardo’s by the Slice
Thank goodness they have not torn this place down yet! Apparently UF has purchased the strip mall on University Avenue that Leonardo’s resides in, but this Gator landmark was given a few years’ reprieve. You can see the whole story here: http://www.gainesville.com/news/20160804/uf-buys-leonardos-by-slice.
What this means to you is that if you have never been, you had better get over there quickly! For $8 you can order 2 large slices of very fresh, very good hand-tossed pizza with some delicious toppings.
If you are willing to go right up to the $10 limit, you can get one very large slice with delicious toppings, a drink and a fresh side salad. (Sometimes you have to eat a salad.) I would be sad if you missed an opportunity to eat here.
Leonardo’s by the Slice is located at 1245 W. University Avenue. This slice of their Greek style pizza, piled high with fresh ingredients is $3.70.
Photo: www.facebook.com/leosbytheslice
2. Blaze Pizza
Sometimes you just want your pizza now and you want it fast. This is where Blaze Pizza comes in. At this fast-food style pizzeria you can personalize your pie with a variety of fresh ingredients of your choosing all for the one low price of $8.25. And when I say fast food, that is exactly what I mean.
The folks at Blaze have discovered a way to cook your pizza in about 3 minutes! So not only can you build your very own, one-of-a-kind pizza for under $10, you can be eating it in less than 5 minutes! That’s incredible!
While Blaze Pizza is right up there at the top end of my $10 budget, you must consider that you are able to choose your dough (including gluten free), choose your cheese (from about 8 varieties, even vegan and gluten free), and choose your toppings from about 30 different options! You can see a full listing of menu options here on their website; https://order.blazepizza.com/menu/blaze-pizza-gainesville.
Blaze Pizza is located at 3617 SW Archer Road. A custom pizza like the one shown here can be made fresh for you in under 5 minutes for about 8 bucks.
Photo: www.facebook.com/blazepizza
3. Big Lou’s
A Gainesville favorite, Big Lou’s is my version of a classic Italian pizzeria. It is located in the heart of downtown and is well known for it’s thin crust and friendly service.
For $7.50 you can buy a whole (small) pizza that is perfect for dinner or lunch. Add a half dozen of the amazing garlic rolls for $2.25 you are right at my $10 limit. If that cuts it little close for you, there is always the “by-the-slice” option!
At Big Lou’s you can custom top your $3 slices with two toppings of your choosing for an additional buck. Combine that with pretty large side salad and you have a complete, delicious meal for $8.
I prefer sitting outside on the patio and enjoying the downtown Gainesville ambiance, but there is also plenty of inside seating if you prefer. Check out Big Lou’s Facebook page for glimpse of one of Gainesville’s favorite pizza places; https://www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville/
Big Lou’s Pizzeria is located at 5 SE 2nd Avenue, which makes if very convenient if your planning to go out to one of the local clubs after dinner. It’s also a great place to get a really good slice.
Photo: www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville
4. Italian Gator Pizza by the Slice
So let’s just cut to the cheap. If you are a UF student, you are hungry, you’re in midtown and you just want a quick, cheap bite of some really good pizza, where should you go? Italian Gator Pizza, of course!
The motto of Italian Gator Pizza is to provide great quality pizza at a reasonable price, and this is just what they do. There is nothing fancy about the Italian Gator. It is just a store front, really. With no seating, inside or outside, the Italian Gator is an old-school walk-up pizza place.
As you can see by the menu on the store-front, you can easily buy a couple of slices and a drink for well under my $10 limit. And the beauty of a walk-up restaurant is there is no tipping expected! I think that deserves a “like” on Facebook, don’t you? https://www.facebook.com/Italian-Gator-Pizza-by-the-Slice-120925634588045/
The Italian Gator is located at 1728 W. University Avenue. This large menu tells you everything you need to know.
Photo: www.facebook.com/Italian-Gator-Pizza-by-the-Slice-120925634588045/
Sources:
https://www.swamprentals.com/help-finding-apartments/best-gainesville-food-deals
https://order.blazepizza.com/menu/blaze-pizza-gainesville.
https://www.facebook.com/BigLousGainesville/
http://www.gainesville.com/news/20160804/uf-buys-leonardos-by-slice.