A Little Pizza My Upstate Heart

We asked, you delivered! We wanted to know where we could find the best slices of pizza in the Upstate. After receiving an overwhelming response, we narrowed down your suggestions, rounded up a few friends, and sent them off to taste test. Below are the results of our extensive research - ranging from thin crust, deep dish, authentic New York style, and more, here are some of the best slices of pizza in the Upstate. Hungry yet?

Special thanks to everyone who submitted images for this story.
Post Production: FishEye Studios, Greenville, SC

Featured

Monica G., a former pediatrician, is a vital part of the OTG family. When she is not working on mastering her baked goods (baguettes, croissants, and Levain are just a few of her specialities), she is helping us scout the diverse food scene here in the Upstate. We love having a fellow foodie along for the ride!

This time around, Monica gave Tito’s NY Style Pizza a try. Tito’s is a N Pleasantburg favorite serving up New York style slices with fresh, tasty ingredients. When we say this stuff is authentic, we mean it. Just look at that slice of margherita pizza. 😍

Kaitlyn and her wife Kristie are a sweet couple that we are blessed to know! Kaitlyn is our waitress and bartender at Halls Chophouse. She always greets us with her warmth and kindness and is a pro at giving the best food and drink recommendations. Make sure you stop by to see Kaitlyn during Happy Hour from 4-6pm nightly!

Barley’s is not your ordinary pizza joint. They have a crazy selection of craft beer featuring dozens of rotating taps, as well as a wide variety of bottles and cans. The weekly lunch special? Two slices with two toppings OR a one-topping slice and a side for only $8.50! If you’re looking for late night vibes, they also have a pool hall upstairs, complete with 40 rotating taps, pool tables, darts, foosball, and shuffleboard. What’s not to love about Barley’s? For hours and the full menu, check out their website here.

Ahh Jamarcus, our friend and fellow foodie. He’s kind, generous, HILARIOUS, and best of all, community minded. You’ve probably seen him on the local news or making an appearance at an event, but Jamarcus is just a normal dude we’re honored to call friend. We often go to him for fashion advice.

What can we say about Venus Pie? This Spartanburg staple has been in the game since 1995. Their hand tossed, thin crust pizza is truly amazing and their giant slices are in fact “out of this world.” Don’t worry, you can still purchase by the pie. Make sure you try their melt-in-your-mouth breadsticks! For more info on this intergalactic ‘za, check out their website here.

Meet Rocky - one half of Navigating Napkins - a traveling food blog based right here in Greenville. Navigating Napkins has been bringing you foodie content with a side of life advice since August of 2018. They focus on highlighting their favorite food spots in the Upstate and beyond! Navigating Napkins is at your service, make sure you check them out on Instagram - @navigatingnapkins.

Pizza City has been known for slinging their authentic New York pizza in Greenville for decades. It’s hard to find that amazing original-style pizza in the South, but let’s just say Pizza City does NOT disappoint. Their pepperoni and sausage (as pictured) is to die for! And we can’t forget to mention those massive deep-dish pies. OTG tip: Their lunch special is only $5 for two slices AND a drink - can’t beat it! Link to their FB here.

Lianne L. is a retired Bak School of the Arts painting teacher and currently an OTG writer. She is a working artist, a world-traveler, and lover of food. She has chosen Greenville as home after having lived in six foreign countries. Lianne brings the party wherever she goes. She may be little, but she sure does carry a whole lot of spunk. We love you, Lianne!

2 Bros Pizza is a hidden gem that goes beyond the city of Greenville. Located in Easley, 2 Bros is great for providing you with options, all the way down to the crust. You can choose from thin, hand tossed, gluten free, or even cauliflower crust. And not to mention the wide array of specialty pizzas they offer, including cheeseburger, Bird Dog, and gyro. Hungry for more? Check out 2 Bros website here.

Erica Z. is the co-owner of Greenville’s famous Army Store with husband Jeff. Erica, a New York native, has been in the Greenville area for over thirty years. She dedicates much of her time to giving back to her community. Erica is kind, loving, and truly a rare gem. If you ever get the chance to sit down and talk with her, make sure you come prepared with listening ears and a bottle of Tito’s. 😉

At Vic’s Pizza, located on E. Coffee St downtown, you can indulge in slices of authentic New York style pizza (bigger than your head) made by the Vic’s family. Their massive pies made with Bacio Italian cheese are a win even for this New York gal! Read more about Vic’s NY style pizza here.

Logan V. (daughter of Lianne whom you met earlier) is a bartender at Husk. While she is incredibly talented at shakin’ delicious cocktails, Logan is applying for nursing school at Greenville Tech so she can use her gifts to help others. If you haven’t yet, stop by Husk for brunch on the weekends when she’s working!

Located on Woodruff Rd, family owned and operated pizzeria Bada Bing is twirling around some of the freshest pizza you can find. Grab a slice of cheese, or better yet, a Sicilian slice. From mouthwatering apps to unique specialty pies to New York style heroes, Bada Bing is a local favorite with so much more than just pizza. Find out all you need to know over at their website here.

If you haven’t yet met Jackie, you are missing out on knowing one of the most vibrant, welcoming, and lovable people you will ever meet. Raised by New Yorkers, Jackie grew up in Miami Beach. She further refined her foodie skills while married to a prominent chef living in Northern CA, before making GVL her home. Jackie is the founder of Off the Grid and loves traveling around the Upstate trying yummy food, drinks, and making new friends.

Jackie got a taste of Merrell’s Pizza in Greer. Merrell’s is known for their house made dough, tomato sauce, and freshly made mozzarella sticks. From classic choices to unique specialties, to an impressive variety of chicken wings, Merrell’s is one of the best Upstate pizza places that caters for large groups! And don’t worry, they have a second location in Easley. Find out more details about Merrell’s over on their site right here.

This is Tinesha P. - one of our most adorable friends. As part of the OTG family, she has filled many roles with us over the years, including photo and food styling assistant, writer, and currently representing us at events. We love calling Tinesha friend and fellow GVL lover. If you see her, don’t miss your chance to chat with her just for the pleasure of hearing her animated voice.

With two locations (the original in Clemson and the brand new location in downtown GVL) Todaro Pizza is a great late night spot for a slice. Whether you need a pick-me-up after a long game day, or you’re stopping through downtown, Todaro does not disappoint with their thin crust pizza. You can choose from a plain ol’ slice, or you can grab an extra large slice of their white pizza. Yes, please! 🙋‍♀️Check out Todaro’s website here for more deets.

You may recognize John’s face from serving up coffee and beer at Grateful Brew. John is just one of those people that never fails to welcome you with a smile! Next time you stop into Grateful Brew, make sure you give John a high five and a smile back.

John got a taste of Frankies NY Pizza. Frankies has two locations - one tucked behind Pelham Rd in Greenville, and the other off of Batesville Rd in Simpsonville. In addition to their amazing slice options, you can indulge in more than just pizza. Try out their calzones, pastas, grinders, burgers, steak sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, or desserts. We aren’t lying when we say there is something for just about everyone at Frankies. Pop on over to their website to find out all of the cheesy details about Frankies.

💥BONUS!

We couldn’t do an entire article on pizza without giving a shout out to our cheese and meat-free friends. Two amazing pizza spots - Sidewall and D’Allesandro’s- are making sure they accommodate all folks by offering vegan options!

Sidewall Pizza is keeping their vegan options simple by offering a cheese substitute. You can order any pizza on their menu and just replace dairy with vegan mozzarella. It’s the perfect way to enjoy any specialty pie that suits your fancy.

D’Allesandro’s offers two vegan pie options (in addition to a vegan cheese substitute). One of their vegan specialties is The Amy, an olive oil and garlic based pie with golden beets, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, rosemary, and yep, NO CHEESE. Their other specialty option is also an olive oil & garlic base with spinach, balsamic tempeh, peppadew peppers, and no cheese! Both yummy alternatives to a staple dish.

Special shout out to Jennifer B. (@yeahthatveganchick) for the awesome photos!

There ya have it, some of the amazing slice options around the Upstate that have just a little pizza our heart. You know you’ve got it when it makes you feel good.

Jackie BrookerJuly 3, 2018