Food Network Crowns This Pizza Joint The Best in The State

When it comes to pizza, Michigan has a pretty impressive track record. After all, this is the state that gave the world Little Caesars, Hungry Howie’s, Jet’s, and Buddy’s—where Detroit-style pizza was born. That thick, square pie with its crispy edges and cheese-first, sauce-second style has become a favorite far beyond the Motor City.

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So, when Food Network set out to name the very best pizzeria in the entire state, it was no easy task. With so many iconic spots and beloved local joints, picking just one was bound to stir up some debate.

Their choice? It’s a place serving true Detroit-style pizza, right in the heart of metro Detroit. But it’s not one of the massive chains or trendy new hotspots. This restaurant is school—deeply rooted in Detroit history, still making fresh dough every day, and even known for selling their pizza by the slice (a rarity for this style).

Food Network’s Pick for Michigan’s Best Pizza

The honor goes to The Original Buscemi’s on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe.

READ MORE: Lovefood Has a Different Pick for Michigan's Top Pizza—And It's Not Detroit-Style

Paul A. Buscemi opened it back in 1955 as a party store, and he’s even credited with introducing the Italian submarine sandwich to Detroit.

When his subs took off, he started experimenting with pizza, making his own dough, using fresh ingredients, and baking in square pans—a recipe that became a local favorite.

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What Makes The Original Buscemi’s Stand Out

Food Network says their slices are the real deal: fresh dough made daily, topped with a thick layer of 100% real mozzarella Grande cheese, smothered in a homemade tomato sauce made from vine-ripened California tomatoes, and often finished with dry-aged pepperoni. The pizzas are baked until the crust turns golden and chewy, with cheese bubbling over the edges—Detroit-style at its finest.

Create your own with toppings like Italian sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and black olives. Or choose a specialty pie like the BBQ Chicken, Hawaiian, Supreme, BLT, or Spicy Italian.

READ MORE: Discover Michigan's Most Historic Burger Joint

More Than Just Pizza

If you're a fan of traditional, round pizza, you can get that at Buscemi's too—along with salads, calzones, breadsticks, and those famous submarine sandwiches.

The brand has grown well beyond its Gratiot Avenue roots. After joining the family business, Paul's son Anthony began franchising in the mid-1970s, and today there are more than 20 locations across eastern Michigan.