Sure, we know this ain't New York, and the gooey, crispy pizza you get at the Original Ray's -- which one is original, anyway?? -- can be hard to come by. But we still need a fix every now and then and there are some solid surrogates. Here are are a few that rank high on our list.
Miami's Best Pizza (1514 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables; 305-666-5931)
The name really says it all. It's not far from downtown, about as convenient as you can get, and serves a mean pie. "Miami Best Pizza offers deliciously baked fresh pizza in a low key environment," says Miami local Isaac Tobelen. "I love the mounds of mozzarella on each slice." And the prices? Two large cheese pizzas for $19.99, you can't go wrong.
Ristorante Fratelli Milano (213 SE First Street, Miami; 305-373-2300)
Health conscious? If you are on a whole wheat kick, this restaurant will make even the you happy. Try the Garibaldi with the whole wheat crust, spinach, goat and mozzarella cheese and the fresh tomato sauce for $9.75.
Presto Pizza (332 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305-531-5454)
Craving a good slice after dancing all night? Presto Pizza is conveniently located right on Lincoln Road, offering some really good pies homemade with the best flour, fresh tomatoes and Grande brand mozzarella. You can grab a 14" Authentic New York Style pizza for only $10.95, with a super thick crust and perfectly sweet sauce with the right amount of basil.
Pieducks (1451 S Miami Ave. Suite C-2, Miami; 305-808-7888)
The pizza here is made with some top notch organic ingredients, like Vermont organic flour; which is delicious and healthy for you. The Wisconsin gourmet cheeses melt in your mouth, too. The Quattro Pizza, which goes for $14.95, is a cheese lover's delight with asiago, Pecorino Romano, Gouda and Mozzarella.
Piola (1625 Alton, Miami Beach; 305-674-1660)
The place serves freshly made pizza out of a brick oven. It has the best thin crust we've ever tasted. While Piola serves classic pies like cheese and pepperoni, but also provides a menu full of specialties like the Mantova, $15 layered with meat, brie, arugula, fresh tomato sauce, and thick mozzarella.
