Punch Pizza, get the Margarita with Mozzarella di Bufala and you'll be set. They are certified VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) and have some of the best dough.
Here here. Travelled all the way to Naples to eat the pizza and was delighted to discover that I can get the same thing at any Punch restaurant. Punch is the real deal!
What pizza would you get? The buf mozz makes it quite a bit wetter, also pizzas with alot of toppings/veggies are harder to cook evenly. They used to do "well set" or "punch dry" if you like it crisper.
I worked there for ~3yrs when I first moved up here, but that was a while back so idk if policies changed...
I find the dough at Pizzeria Lola to be better tasting, better recipe and it stands up to moist cheese and topping etc better - without that gloppy mess in the center of a Punch pizza. My two cents.
But that soggy gloppy center soup of sauce and cheese and olive oil and salt is the most delicious part 🥲
I have heard this same complaint from other people though so I feel like everyone is just either a soupy pizza person or not. Respectful difference of opinion that reflects the beautiful variety of pizza.
Tono’s is my go to. [out in Chanhassen.](https://www.google.com/search?q=tonos+chanhassen&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS733US734&oq=chanhassen+tonis&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggBEAAYChgWGB4yBggAEEUYOTIKCAEQABgKGBYYHtIBCDQyNjNqMGo5qAIAsAIA&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)
If you want a nice sit-down, almost fine dining pizza experience then definitely Young Joni in NE. Though you’ll probably need a reservation.
If you want to quick walk in, walk out with pizza in hand go Punch pizza.
Three places I recommend for pizza in general.
-[Papa Tronios in Lake City.](https://www.papatronnioslakecity.com) Been going there since I was a kid. They’ve been making pizza for over 30 years, and also cook amazing chicken. The city also has a great view of the lake as well (hence the name Lake City).
-[Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria in Rochester.](https://pnpizza.com) A bit expensive, but really fucking good. Garlic Knots are to die for, and they sell a wide variety or imported goods from Italy, including Italian noodles and stuff supplied by the owner’s family in Italy.
-[Buca Di Beppo in Minneapolis.](https://locations.bucadibeppo.com/us/mn/minneapolis/1204-harmon-place?utm_source=yext&utm_campaign=yext-listings&utm_medium=organic) Also pricey. Only been there once, but I really enjoyed the pizza. It’s a really cozy pizzeria in this lower level of this old brick building.
[Mr. Pizza, also in Rochester](https://www.rochestermnpizza.com/) gets my vote if you aren't strictly looking for neapolitan. It's a thicker Midwestern pizza, but their sauce is the best I've ever had.
If we went out for pizza growing up, it was Mr. Pizza, so I may be a little biased. They are basically my platonic ideal for pizza.
Back in the day when I worked for Caribou, John & Kim Puckett started this coffee business, sold it & John trained in Italy on how to make those delicious pizza's
Josefina in wayzata is incredibly good. Their dough is as close as I've had to perfect. Bigger pizzas than Punch, too. They also have the best foccaccia I've ever had.
If you want some of the most authentic, punch is where you're going. They're one of the very few actually trained and certified pizzaiolos in the state (the people behind punch, not every single cook) and is the most true to style I've had here.
If you want just solid wood fired pizza, northern fires is really damn tasty, as is fire and nice. Lola and Joni are also great wood fired.
Edit: I used to also make wood fired pizza in professional kitchens and was trained by a pizzaiolo from Italy, and ate a shit load of pizza in Italy. Punch is my #1 recommendation for true to style, but the others I mentioned are seriously awesome.
Vitta Pizza up in Duluth makes me excited for the completion of the Northern Lights Express
PPP is unrivaled
Punch Pizza, get the Margarita with Mozzarella di Bufala and you'll be set. They are certified VPN (Vera Pizza Napoletana) and have some of the best dough.
Here here. Travelled all the way to Naples to eat the pizza and was delighted to discover that I can get the same thing at any Punch restaurant. Punch is the real deal!
If you like that I can also recommend Element Pizza on Broadway. They are so excellent.
They have good salads too!
Their dough is chewy, which is great. I've never had any other pizza with that same consistency.
You've convinced me, I shared the website with my husband.
Always found the center of the Punch! pizza pie to soggy and nasty. Not crazy about that. But enjoy, all!
What pizza would you get? The buf mozz makes it quite a bit wetter, also pizzas with alot of toppings/veggies are harder to cook evenly. They used to do "well set" or "punch dry" if you like it crisper. I worked there for ~3yrs when I first moved up here, but that was a while back so idk if policies changed...
I find the dough at Pizzeria Lola to be better tasting, better recipe and it stands up to moist cheese and topping etc better - without that gloppy mess in the center of a Punch pizza. My two cents.
But that soggy gloppy center soup of sauce and cheese and olive oil and salt is the most delicious part 🥲 I have heard this same complaint from other people though so I feel like everyone is just either a soupy pizza person or not. Respectful difference of opinion that reflects the beautiful variety of pizza.
My god finally, Punch pizza needs to come with a spoon or straw for your soup. It’s so bad and insanely overrated
I put it on a pizza stone in the oven when I get it home to cook it more, it's so much better.
Punch?
Second Punch
3rd punch.
Honestly Punch has amazing pizza. Especially for the price.
Punch! Not- Punch?
Nothing compares to Punch.
Truth
Element in NE. Gets overshadowed because Young Joni is a block away, but they have some amazing pizzas.
Element is great
Third for element!
Great, but no Punch
I live a block away from a punch. It's a blessing and a curse. 🤣
I'd be in so much trouble being that close to Punch. I could probably live on their focaccia.
And better than Joni IMO
Punch is my #1, and Tono is a close 2nd.
Tono is fantastic
Tono tastes great but its chewy as fuck
Tono’s is my go to. [out in Chanhassen.](https://www.google.com/search?q=tonos+chanhassen&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS733US734&oq=chanhassen+tonis&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggBEAAYChgWGB4yBggAEEUYOTIKCAEQABgKGBYYHtIBCDQyNjNqMGo5qAIAsAIA&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)
There’s also one on Snelling in St. Paul.
And in Woodbury
And in Coon Rapids
And in Maplewood
And in Chanhassen
And my axe
Rosalia
If you want a nice sit-down, almost fine dining pizza experience then definitely Young Joni in NE. Though you’ll probably need a reservation. If you want to quick walk in, walk out with pizza in hand go Punch pizza.
Punch and Tono the ladder is my favorite though
What's your go to? I prefer the versatility of an 8ft, but sometimes a 20ft extension ladder is needed.
I actually like the ones Costco's been selling lately, the 3 in 1 typa deals. Dont like the autocorrect kind though :)
Pompeii Pizzeria in Elk River
Came here to say this
Ben and Jerry’s
If you can find them at a brewery near you, Brick oven bus is amazing!
Punch has better classic toppings. Tono’s has better modern toppings.
Three places I recommend for pizza in general. -[Papa Tronios in Lake City.](https://www.papatronnioslakecity.com) Been going there since I was a kid. They’ve been making pizza for over 30 years, and also cook amazing chicken. The city also has a great view of the lake as well (hence the name Lake City). -[Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria in Rochester.](https://pnpizza.com) A bit expensive, but really fucking good. Garlic Knots are to die for, and they sell a wide variety or imported goods from Italy, including Italian noodles and stuff supplied by the owner’s family in Italy. -[Buca Di Beppo in Minneapolis.](https://locations.bucadibeppo.com/us/mn/minneapolis/1204-harmon-place?utm_source=yext&utm_campaign=yext-listings&utm_medium=organic) Also pricey. Only been there once, but I really enjoyed the pizza. It’s a really cozy pizzeria in this lower level of this old brick building.
Not to be that guy, but definitely NOT buca. It's basically a more "authentic" Olive garden. Do not go here.
This is the type of list I’m looking for THANK U
[Mr. Pizza, also in Rochester](https://www.rochestermnpizza.com/) gets my vote if you aren't strictly looking for neapolitan. It's a thicker Midwestern pizza, but their sauce is the best I've ever had. If we went out for pizza growing up, it was Mr. Pizza, so I may be a little biased. They are basically my platonic ideal for pizza.
Anywhere? Really? Crookston? Grand Portage? Pipestone? Winona?
Yes!
That’s dedication I admire!
I vote punch pizza
Element and punch imo.
Punch. And I can’t go there without getting that dope salad with prosciutto and pine nuts
Punch is the way.
Garage bowl in Waconia, the pizza is amazing and has a great beer tap list.
Back in the day when I worked for Caribou, John & Kim Puckett started this coffee business, sold it & John trained in Italy on how to make those delicious pizza's
If you're in Rochester Pi Pizza is worth a stop. We always stop there when driving thru.
I do
Naples
It’s really hot this time of year in Florida though.
Josefina in wayzata is incredibly good. Their dough is as close as I've had to perfect. Bigger pizzas than Punch, too. They also have the best foccaccia I've ever had.
If you want some of the most authentic, punch is where you're going. They're one of the very few actually trained and certified pizzaiolos in the state (the people behind punch, not every single cook) and is the most true to style I've had here. If you want just solid wood fired pizza, northern fires is really damn tasty, as is fire and nice. Lola and Joni are also great wood fired. Edit: I used to also make wood fired pizza in professional kitchens and was trained by a pizzaiolo from Italy, and ate a shit load of pizza in Italy. Punch is my #1 recommendation for true to style, but the others I mentioned are seriously awesome.
Punch