The cheese stretches in long ribbons as I take a huge bite of the pizza slice, the warm, crusty dough enveloping me in a blanket of warmth. The salty, tangy cheese cuts through the ripe tomato sauce, red and white combining to create the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
Pizza — a favorite for many due to its versatility, customizability, and convenience. I’m personally always up for a slice of pizza, whether it’s a classic Chicago-style deep dish, an indulgent calzone, or even a cauliflower crust.
Now, while pizza is a solid choice for most due to its wide variety of options, the classic cheese pizza is always a safe bet, and I was eager to try some local spots in Omaha. My main criteria for the pizzas were presentability, price, and, of course, flavor.
First up, Oscar’s Pizza and Wings Carry Out. Located on 162nd and Maple Street, Oscar’s was very convenient as they did carry-out orders. I ordered a medium cheese pizza, which costs $15.99.
At first glance, the pizza was packaged nicely and looked like a standard, classic cheese pizza; the cheese bubbles and puffy crust made my mouth water. But the first bite was honestly underwhelming. While the crust was nice and soft, the cheese was a bit stretchy for my liking and easily slid off.
The tomato sauce, although promising, was quite scarce, and I couldn’t really taste it. I believe that if I had ordered the “Extra Sauce” option, I would have been able to taste the sauce better, and it would have helped enhance the overall flavor profile.
I rated the pizza as a 6/10 because it is a nice, simple pizza, especially for those who want a lighter option, but I found the overall flavor to be lacking.
My next stop was Timber Wood Fire Bistro, a typical sit-down restaurant located on 87th and Pacific Street that is known for their wood-fired pizzas. They have a wide selection, from the more adventurous red wine poached pear to the timeless Margherita.
I ordered the Quatro Formaggio, which cost $19. Crafted with four different cheeses — scamorza, ricotta, mozzarella, and Romano — fresh herbs, and a delicate drizzle of honey, my stomach was rumbling from the mere description of the pizza.
I was very impressed with the presentation of the pizza. The gooey, creamy cheese paired with the pillow-soft, thin-crust pizza made it easy to grab a slice from the plate. Structurally, the crust held its ground, not sagging from the weight of the four cheeses.
The first bite was pure heaven. Although there was no tomato sauce, the rich mix of cheeses created an immense depth of flavor. Combined with the sweet, lingering effects of the honey drizzle, this pizza was outstanding and unlike any cheese pizza I’ve ever tasted. I rated this pizza as a 9.5/10 because although it ticked all the boxes in the flavor department, it was on the more expensive side and may be too rich for some individuals.
My last destination was specifically for deep-dish pizza: Pizzeria Davlo. Located just off 144th and Fort Street, I was pleasantly surprised by their comforting, friendly atmosphere. I ordered their Chicago-style deep-dish pizza in a small size, which cost $19.99. For the size, it was the most costly of the three pizza locations I visited.
But honestly, it was completely worth it. When I first saw the pizza, I immediately grabbed a fork and knife. The 3-inch deep, fluffy crust ensconcing the pool of creamy, thick tomato sauce looked absolutely delectable.
The first bite completely lived up to my expectations; the soft, melty cheese perfectly enhanced the rich tomato sauce, the crust providing the perfect crunch. Before I knew it, I had already devoured my slice and eagerly reached for a second. I rated this pizza as a 10/10. As someone who is not typically a deep-dish pizza fan, this pizza completely changed my opinion. Overall, while Oscar’s is a good choice for a classic pizza lover and Quattro Formaggio for an epicure, Pizzeria Davlo was my favorite due to its appearance and superb flavor profile. Pizzeria Davlo has converted this former thin-crust lover into a die-hard deep-dish pizza fan.