I can imagine that, like myself, many students tire of fast food chains such as Pizza Pizza, Domino’s, Pizza Nova, or Pizzaiolo, when looking for a slice or a quick pizza to go. Luckily, there are other options around campus which range widely in price, quality, and variety. Here are four great take-out pizza places to try when you’re looking for something different, or looking to support local business. This is all good pizza, and it’s served with character that is unique to each parlour.
1. Fresca Pizza and Pasta
Spadina and College
This place doesn’t look like much from the outside, but don’t be deceived—because the pizza is great. Think almost New York style. Fresca serves both enormous slices and entire pizzas. The prices are perfect—slices go for under four dollars. The margherita pizza in particular is served with a strong, but incredibly delicious, garlic oil, which is also available for other pizzas. This does make it very greasy, so be prepared. The thin crust is also noteworthy.
2. Cora’s Pizza
Spadina and Harbord
Cora’s pizza has the friendliest staff around. Sometimes where you go to eat isn’t entirely about the food, and this is a good example. The whole experience of going to Cora’s is quite enjoyable. It’s a great bargain, especially if you’re looking for a whole pizza. The food itself is above average, but Cora’s is also open very late if you’re looking for food then.
3. Za’s Pizzeria
Bloor and Spadina
This is probably the best pizza place around campus, if you’re not looking to sit down or pay a lot of money. Za’s only serves fresh-made pizza, meaning no reheated slices. Orders are ready in five minutes, and a whole pizza, usually enough for two people, goes for $11. The cheese and crust are amazing, and the margherita pizza stays almost true to its name, with variations in cheese and crust putting it somewhere between a Neapolitan margherita and what you might get at a cheaper pizza place. This comparison can only be made in style because, in quality, it can definitely compete with any pizza restaurant.
4. Pi Co
Bloor and Bay
Speaking of completely traditional Neapolitan pizza, this is where you’ll get that. It’s good quality, it’s made fresh, and most importantly, it’s delicious. The price is slightly higher than the other pizza joints—$11 for a personal pizza that feeds one. As you might expect from the location, this place is upscale with fancy décor. What’s cool here is that for $13, you can personalize your pizza from a truly eclectic selection of toppings. When it’s not busy, it’s also very fast. Altogether, it’s a good place to grab lunch on the go.
