Birmingham, ALPizza

Tortugas gives Birmingham a deeply committed take on Chicago style pizza. Thick pies layer crust, cheese, toppings, and tomato sauce into a meal that rewards patience, while thinner options broaden the appeal. The Southside room carries sports memorabilia and neighborhood ease, making the substantial baking feel welcoming rather than ceremonial.

Davenport's has served thin, crisp pizza in Mountain Brook since 1964. The dim room, arcade games, and familiar pies preserve a family ritual that spans generations, while the crust and straightforward toppings remain the real anchor. A visit feels pleasingly unchanged, with hot pies arriving in a room built for families, regulars, and unhurried conversation.

Pizza Grace treats dough as the beginning of the conversation, building airy, deeply browned crust around carefully chosen toppings. Seasonal combinations feel inventive without losing the elemental balance of bread, sauce, cheese, and heat. The compact downtown room keeps attention on the oven, where careful fermentation and a confident bake give each pie its structure.

Bettola's wood fired pies emerge blistered, supple, and lightly smoky from the oven at Pepper Place. Italian ingredients and seasonal produce shape combinations that stay balanced rather than overloaded, while handmade pasta gives companions another direction. The intimate room keeps the craft visible and the pace pleasantly close to the kitchen.

Slice pairs approachable pizza with the social energy of a Lakeview beer patio. Crisp pies carry classic or more playful toppings, and a broad tap selection keeps the restaurant useful for groups and game days. The bustling room has the easy confidence of a local business that understands its neighborhood.