Head to this Northside pizza joint in season and you’ll likely see its chef, Andreas Dal Monte, hard at work, placing his homemade oblong-shaped, Roma-style pizzas into the fire. The pies — made with a tender and crispy dough that has a maturation process of at least 48 hours — are quite coveted, with Dal Monte using the freshest of ingredients to concoct satisfying margherita, sausage and potato, and amatriciana pizzas. But be warned — this pizza is quite coveted. Now with additional hours from Wednesday through Sunday, ORG gets busy and serves until sellout, so be sure to get there early before a line forms. You can always treat yourself to one of the pastries and coffee drinks while you wait, or if in a rush, take a frozen pizza or focaccia to go to bake at home.

Anthony Calleo, formerly of Pi Pizza, has been cooking up Detroit-style pizzas as a special at Rudyard’s, but now Houstonians can get a variety of his creations daily at his Heights shop. Sink your teeth into the thick dough that’s a delightful cross between focaccia and sourdough, and revel in the different toppings combinations. The 181 Heights — an ode to the now-shuttered Pi — is loaded with arugula pesto, almond, chili flake, lemon zest, and fennel pollen, while the Sebastian’s Big Idea is a cheesy and fun combination of Spam, togarashi roasted pineapple, and furikake seasoning. You can’t go wrong with a more classic pie like the pepperoni. Order a side of General Tso’s chicken wings or the pizza tots for something out of the ordinary.

This rustic Heights restaurant keeps things simple and sophisticated with pizza offerings built with farm-fresh toppings. Try its seafood-loaded pizza, topped with shrimp, calamari, grape tomatoes, fresnos, pistachio pesto, and lemon, or go more traditional with the house pepperoni, a comforting pie topped with pepperoni, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

With its prime location among Downtown’s buzziest bars, Frank’s is synonymous with late-night eats. The decades-old pizza parlor, situated at one corner of Market Square Park, prepares its own dough and sauce in-house daily and offers a menu of mouthwatering pies up to 18 inches. Plain cheese and pepperoni slices entice from behind glass cases, but you can order specialty pizzas like the Cajun-inspired boudin and bacon pizza, or the Scrumptious Supreme, which is loaded with the works.

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.

This EaDo pizza destination is a crust-lovers’ haven. Thick, doughy 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 its spicy salami topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, hot honey, and dollops of chevre ricotta 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.

How to Survive on Land and Sea gets a second life as Neighbor’s The Second Ward pizza bar keeps it simple, with hot and crispy New York-style pizza, available by the slice ($5 to $6) or whole pie ($25 to $30), with classic cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and a special vegan slice. Pair it with a cocktail, a beer, or a glass (or bottle of wine) and enjoy the company of your literal neighbors at the bar.

It’s likely if you’ve only gone to this Hyde Park restaurant for dinner you haven’t had a chance to try one of its most addicting dishes — its pizza. Only served during lunch and brunch, these wood-fired pies often include a classic margherita; a rossa, topped with tomato sauce, garlic chile oil, and pepperoni; and a must-try version of the bianco, its white pizza. Be sure to check back each season. The menus change.

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 one of Gypsy Poet Studios in Midtown or the Heights. Both locations offer 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 littered 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 devouring pizza slices.

Team red sauce or white? This River Oaks pizzeria offers options for fans of both bianco or rosse pies. The white sauce-topped shrimp scampi boasts Gulf shrimp with mozzarella and romano cheeses and thinly sliced lemons, while the red-sauced margherita is fragrant with fresh tomatoes and basil. Either choice is a win.

Martin and Sarah Sayer, the owners of Nobie’s and Toasted Coconut, bring some Midwestern flair and 90s nostalgia to Houston’s pizza scene. Aside from its retro arcade and frozen cocktails and espresso martinis on tap, the newly opened Nonno’s offers tavern-style pizza, with an extra thin and crispy crust, with combinations like a standard cheese to its standout Maui Wowee, which is layered with cheese and thin slices of Spam, pineapple, and smoked jalapeno for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and smoky.

Named after a red supergiant star but pronounced “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” this cocktail bar and pizzeria 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.

Though Star Pizza allows guests to choose from white or wheat crust on its New York and Chicago deep dish-style pizzas, the wheat crust has a cult following, as does the house-made ranch dressing. Try the Starburst with ground beef and Italian sausage; the three-cheese Cowbell, with slow-smoked brisket and barbecue sauce; or stop by on Tuesdays for its Street Taco pizza special, which includes different taco-inspired pizza combinations, including a birria version. Save room for the dessert pizza — an apple cinnamon pie topped with seasoned apples, toasted walnuts, and chocolate sauce.

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.

Having a great takeout option for pizza is essential in any town, and Pizza Birra Vino provides for Houston. While the family-owned New York- and Chicago-style pizzeria primarily operates as a takeout and delivery service, the pizzas are as thoughtfully prepared as those one would find at a restaurant. True to its name, beer and wine – curated by a skilled sommelier – is served in abundance, as well as hearty Italian sandwiches, lemon pepper wings and massive, marinara-bathed meatballs, and delightfully sweet cannoli to round out a robust feast.

Upstate New York has long been attuned to the ingenious combination of pizza and wings, and the recently opened Cup N Char brings that joyful pairing to the Houston area. Located in an assuming strip mall, the restaurant has quickly charmed locals with playful options like the chicken finger pizza and the grassy steak — a pie topped with chicken and a sharp blend of onions, spinach, and banana peppers. Wing sides range from portions of 10 to 50, ensuring that whether it’s game day or an afternoon in the neighborhood, there’s plenty of saucy goodness for all.