Upper Crust
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Most-Deserved Bragging Rights
The Sally Pie
Goodfella’s(
13190 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel, 633-0055, goodfellas.com)
Not having sampled every pizza on the planet, we can’t verify Goodfella’s claims that it serves the “best pizza in the world,” but we will say it has to be darn close. The distinction was bestowed on the chain by the International Pizza Expo, an industry trade show held annually in Las Vegas that named the Sally Pie the #1 Pizza in America in 2001. On this one at least, we can agree. The thin, chewy crust is topped first with tender lemon-garlic chicken and slices of roasted rosemary potatoes, then covered in a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a drizzle of creamy scallion-cheddar sauce. The result is a unique, hearty blend of flavors that backs up the boasting.
Best Use of a Napkin (or 5!)
Fiery Fajita Pizza
Arni’s Restaurant(
4705 E. 96th St., 571-0077; 1691 Curry Rd., Greenwood, 881-0500)
The toppings on the fiery fajita pizza at Arni’s are piled so high you’ll need a strategy to consume a slice. The thin crust is loaded with tender fajita-seasoned chicken breast and a sauteed medley of green and red bell peppers and onions. The whole thing is smothered with a crust-cracking heap of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. We recommend spreading the top of the slice with the accompanying sour cream and guacamole, and then using a knife and fork to deconstruct the messy masterpiece.
Best Crowd-Pleaser
SINK Pizza
Gallagher’s Pizza Express
(
7021 Madison Ave., 788-6904; 2310 Southport Rd., 883-3334; gallagherspizzaexpress.com)
No one likes to be the one to order pizza for the group. It’s a heady responsibility to be the gatekeeper who decides whose favorite toppings get the go-ahead and whose don’t. But the SINK pizza (as in, “everything but the kitchen sink”) loads ‘em all on. The pie weighs in at seven pounds and features 14 toppings, including sausage, pepperoni, ham, green pepper, olives, jalapeños, and, well, eight more. You’re about to be the most popular guy at the party.
Best Late-night Slice
Pepperoni Pizza
Za(
801 Broad Ripple Ave., 602-3753)
Different times of the day call for different pizza needs. And in the wee hours of the morning, only a big, greasy, cheesy slice will do. The pepperoni pizza at Za, the new by-the-slice pizza spot in Broad Ripple that stays open until 4 a.m. most nights, fits the bill. The thin crust is teeming with well-spiced sauce, deliciously salty pepperoni, and gooey melted cheese, and the oversized slices are big enough to satisfy any late-night craving. Drift off to sleep in satisfied peace.
