Ahhh, ‘za.
Pizza might be rooted in Italy, but the pie’s immigration to the United States has seen it morph into an all-American culinary favorite.
Whether a classic thin-crust Brooklyn pie or a deep-dish Chicago-style groaner with enough cheese to sink a Great Lakes freighter, pizza is one of the nation’s favorite noshes.
It is perfect for parties or for solo snacking in front of the television. Toppings can please everyone from vegetarians to hard-core carnivores. And leftovers make for a tasty way to start the day, no reheating required.
Here is a roundup of some of our favorite area pizzerias. The list is by no means comprehensive — space considerations meant leaving off some fine parlors. But it is representative, any way you slice it.
1. Virgilio’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Virgilio Urbano draws on his Italian roots — he moved to the United States as a kid — to create a scrumptious Neapolitan pie. The crust is thin, just enough to serve as a platform for the goodies. Try the quattro formaggi, a bevy of cheeses with fresh garlic and basil. Belissimo! 7986 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 303-985-2777,
2. The Oven Pizza e Vino
Mark Tarbell made his name on the Phoenix restaurant scene before opening a Colorado outpost in the snappy Belmar shopping district. It’s a stylish room with excellent pies. Faves include a barbecued-chicken pizza and the Bianco: ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan topped with fresh rosemary. 7167 W. Alaska Drive, Lakewood, 303-934-7600,
3. Proto’s Pizzeria Napoletana
The oven is from Italy, and so is the flavor. Build your own pizza from a smart list of ingredients, or trust the folks in the open kitchen. The Margherita is a minor miracle. Ditto for the savory Roman, with olives, capers, roasted red peppers and mozzarella. 2401 15th St. and four other Colorado locations,
4. Anthony’s Pizza
Lunchtime finds a throng at the countertop, ordering pizza by the slice while the balletic pizza-makers toss dough just 3 feet away. Anthony’s meets the standard of what a thin-crust pie should be with both plain cheese and pepperoni slices, nicely slicked with oil. 1550 California St., plus 26 other Colorado locations,
5. Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza
Despite its name, Marco’s uses a hickory-fueled oven that cranks to 1,000 degrees, turning out crispy crusts topped with ingredients of terrific quality and authenticity. Try the Toscana with San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and grape tomatoes. 2129 Larimer St., 303-296-7000,
6. The Walnut Room
First-rate pie and live music, so it’s a treat for your stomach and your ears. For a twist, try the Walnut Special, which comes with walnuts, pesto, tomato, green olive, onion and garlic. Also popular is the Spicy Hirsch, with sausage and giardiniera peppers. 3131 Walnut St., 303-292-1700, plus a new location (minus the live music) at 2 Broadway, 303-736-6750,
7. Kaos Pizzeria
Opened in November, Kaos is turning out fabulous wood-fired pizza. (A recent evening found them firing the pies with a mix of pecan and oak.) The owners are committed to using local ingredients, and the freshness comes through. For something different, try the soppressata pie: pesto, potato, mozzarella, provolone and a cracked egg. The space is just a hole in the wall now, but they’ll soon expand next door with seating for 46. 1439 S. Pearl St., 303-733-5267
8. Fat Sullys Pizza
Fat Sullys sits near the Bluebird Theater, making it perfect for after- concert appetites. The pies are tasty and also come in gluten-free versions. We especially like their delivery policy: We’ll bring a pie to local bars, condos, your favorite park bench and just about anywhere else in the area. Save room for the Nutella dessert calzone. 3237 E. Colfax Ave., 303-333-4440,
9. Enzo’s End Pizzeria
The tastiest pizza on Colfax Avenue. Try the pomodoro, a luscious white- sauce pie boasting Roma tomatoes and a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. These are toothsome, thin-crust pies, and pizza mavens get to choose from 33 ingredients. Enzo’s delivers, too. 3424 E. Colfax Ave., 303-355-4700,
10. Basil Doc’s
The original Basil Doc’s opened in Washington Park, but this Crestmoor shop is also a big hit. The red sauce is rich and savory, and unlike some pizzerias, Basil Doc’s offers pizza by the slice. Bravo. 1481 S. Holly St. and three other Denver locations,
11. Serioz
Serioz is a welcome addition to the east Denver dining scene. Service is friendly and fast, and the ingredients list is extensive and imaginative. For a knockout experience, try the combo of sun-dried tomatoes and smoked gouda cheese. Deep, dark, fabulous. 200 Quebec St., 303-366-5777,
12. Beau Jo’s
This Idaho Springs staple (not shown on map) has long been a popular stop for travelers on Interstate 70. The pizzas are deep-dish whoppers, perhaps best enjoyed by folks with blast-furnace metabolisms. Great for stoking up after a day in the mountains. 1517 Miner St., Idaho Springs, 303-567-4376, plus seven other Colorado locations,
William Porter: 303-954-1877 or wporter@denverpost.com
