These pizzerias may not have active Twitter handles or Instagrammable dining rooms, but the family-run institutions withstood the test of time with an extremely loyal neighbourhood clientele and freaking delicious pizza.
With most of these golden oldies open since before you were born, you gotta get a pizza this.
Here’s where to get the best old school slices in Toronto.
Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House
Established in 1957, this Junction cornerstone run by the Pugliese family is the one of the oldest pizzerias in the city. In addition to New York style pizza, they’ve got a range of American-Italian favourites on the menu from chicken parm to fried calamari.
Address: 3010 Dundas Street West
Facebook: Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House
Danforth Pizza House
The doors of this Danforth institution have been swinging since 1964, but the owners have done a great remodel recently with a new sign and dining room (not that they needed to, people still fall over each other for their pizza).
Address: 920 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @danforthpizzahouse
Bitondo’s Pizzeria & Sandwiches
Just off the main drag, this Little Italy institution has been open since the ’60s, with classic pepperoni slices flying out of here on the regular.
Address: 11 Clinton Street, Toronto
Camarra Pizzeria & Restaurant
Four generations of Camarras have been proudly pumping pizza out of this North York restaurant since 1958. You can thank them at your next shindig; they lay claim to be the first in the city to offer party-sized pizzas.
Address: 2899 Dufferin Street, Toronto
Instagram: @camarraspizza
Regina Pizzeria & Trattoria
A reigning pizzeria on College Street since 1967, this family-run spot serves up southern Italian-style cuisine. Pizzas are the main draw but the ultra garlicky caesar salad also gets rave reviews from the locals.
Address: 782 College Street, Toronto
Instagram: @reginapizza.to
Diamond Pizza & Grill
Open since 1978, this East York spot serves everything from pizza and panzerotti to souvlaki and burgers. Talk about a full service restaurant.
Address: 510 Main Street, Toronto
Frank’s Pizza House
This Corso Italia spot has been open since 1965, and they’re known as much for their gigantically delicious calzones as they are for their pizza pies.
Address: 1352 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto
Instagram: @torontopizzeria
Il Paesano Pizzeria
An Etobicoke institution, this pizzeria has been slinging slices since 1959 with a consistent loyal clientele and classic pizzas. Don’t ever change, Il Paesano
Address: 396 Browns Line, Toronto
Instagram: @ilpaesanopizza
Olympic 76 Pizza Cafe
A Church Street mainstay since, you guessed it, 1976 serves classic pizza pies like meat lovers, Hawaiian and deluxe with pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes and mozzarella.
Address: 8 Gloucester Street, Toronto
Gerrard Spaghetti & Pizza House
This Danforth pizzeria celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year; they have 64 types of pizza on the menu and they sell their tomato sauce by the bottle. Enough said.
Address: 1528 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Instagram: @gerrardpizza1528
Milano’s
An Etobicoke pizza staple since 1963, with all the classic pizzas you want and a local patronage ordering delivery in droves.
Address: 3886 Bloor Street West
Instagram: @milanostoronto
Oakwood Pizzeria
Established in 1974, this midtown pizzeria is considered a great neighbourhood secret by locals, with classic pizza by the slice.
Address: 424 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto