01
Best overall pick
Avalanche Pizza
East Side Athens • Creative Slice House And Pizzeria • Local Legend
Wildly inventive toppings and chewy, flavorful crust make Avalanche the go-to for serious pizza fans.
Avalanche leans hard into creativity, with topping combos you won’t see at a typical college-town joint, plus excellent vegan and specialty options. The crust has a real bakery-style chew and flavor, and the slices reheat well if you over-order. It’s a smart choice when you want something a step up from basic pepperoni without getting fussy.
02
Game-day favorite
Courtside Pizza
Uptown Athens • Lively Sports-Bar Pizzeria • Best For Groups
Courtside pairs solid, shareable pies with a buzzy bar atmosphere right off Court Street.
This is where a lot of OU alumni end up when they’re back in town and want that familiar uptown feel. The pizzas are straightforward and crowd-pleasing, with plenty of toppings and sizes that work well for splitting at a table full of friends. Go for a big pie, a pitcher, and a spot where you can keep one eye on the game and one on Court Street.
03
Late-night essential
Goodfella's Pizza
Court Street Strip • Walk-Up Slice Counter • Late-Night Staple
Oversized, foldable slices and quick service make Goodfella's the classic Court Street end-of-night stop.
Goodfella's is all about speed and satisfaction: big New York–style slices, hot out of the oven and into your hand as you spill out of nearby bars. The menu sticks to the hits—pepperoni, cheese, a few loaded options—but the slices are consistently hot and salty in exactly the way late-night food should be. It’s not fancy, but it’s part of the Athens experience.
04
Best drive-thru option
Pizza Stop Thru
Albany, West Of Athens • Drive-Thru Small-Town Pizzeria • Road-Trip Friendly Pick
A convenient drive-thru with satisfying pies and sides just a short hop from Athens.
On Washington Road in nearby Albany, Pizza Stop Thru is ideal when you’re heading in or out of town and want pizza without getting out of the car. The menu leans classic—think plenty of cheese, pepperoni, and hearty specialty pizzas—along with wings and other drive-thru-friendly add-ons. It’s a handy option for families or anyone commuting between Athens and points west.
05
Family-friendly choice
Pizza Cottage
East State Street Corridor • Casual Sit-Down Pizzeria • Best For Families
A roomy, casual spot with thick, cheesy pies and plenty of space for teams, families, and big groups.
Located along East State Street’s main commercial stretch, Pizza Cottage feels like the kind of place where youth teams and birthday dinners naturally land. The crust runs on the thicker side, with a generous amount of cheese and classic toppings that please picky eaters. With salads, subs, and TVs up on the walls, it’s an easy, low-stress choice when you’ve got a crowd to feed.