01
Best overall pick
The Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar
Near University Of Toledo • Lively College-Town Pizza Bar • Go-To For Classic And Creative Pies
Big, foldable slices and a busy bar make this the reliable crowd-pleaser closest to Ottawa Hills.
Just east of the village along Bancroft, The Stubborn Brother hits the sweet spot between college hangout and serious pizza shop. The crust has enough chew to stand up to generous toppings, and the menu swings from straightforward pepperoni to loaded specialty pies without feeling gimmicky. It’s an easy choice when you’ve got a mixed group and want good pizza, a solid beer list, and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere.
02
Best wood-fired pies
ZaZa Wood Fired Pizza
West Toledo • Modern Wood-Fired Pizzeria • Date-Night Friendly Spot
Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies with blistered crusts make this a step up from your usual takeout joint.
ZaZa leans into the craft side of pizza, with a hot wood-fired oven, soft yet charred crusts, and toppings that go well beyond the basics. Think prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and seasonal vegetables arranged with a bit of intention rather than just piled on. It’s close enough for an easy weeknight drive from Ottawa Hills, but polished enough to work for a relaxed date or small celebration.
03
Best for delivery
Hindsight Pizza
Laskey Road Corridor • Takeout And Delivery Specialist • Best For Staying In
A dialed-in delivery operation with hearty, Midwest-style pies when you want quality pizza without leaving the house.
Up on West Laskey, Hindsight focuses on what it does best: reliable, well-topped pizzas that travel well. The crust leans substantial without being doughy, so it holds up in the box, and the sauce has enough seasoning to be memorable on a basic cheese pie. It’s the kind of place Ottawa Hills residents keep in their phone for busy nights when cooking is not on the agenda.
04
Deep-dish standout
Pizza Papalis
Downtown Riverfront • Chicago-Style Pizzeria • Big-Occasion Indulgence
Thick, Chicago-style deep dish that’s all about slow dinners, leftovers, and unapologetic cheese pulls.
If you’re in the mood to make pizza the main event, the downtown outpost of Pizza Papalis is worth the drive from Ottawa Hills. The deep-dish pies come out with a buttery crust, serious layers of cheese, and a bright, chunky tomato sauce on top, so a slice or two usually does the job. Plan for a longer bake time and settle in; this is more of a sit-down outing than a quick grab-and-go spot.
05
Late-night favorite
Home Slice Pizza
Downtown Warehouse District • Casual Neighborhood Slice Shop • Best For Slices And A Drink
Laid-back slices, draft beer, and a busy downtown vibe make this a natural stop after a Mud Hens game or concert.
Home Slice feels like a proper city slice shop, with a friendly counter crew, a full bar upstairs, and pizza that holds up whether you order by the slice or by the pie. The crust is thinner and crispier than most suburban shops, and the topping combinations hit that comfort-food balance without getting fussy. From Ottawa Hills, it’s an easy drive when you want to pair pizza with a night out downtown rather than a night on the couch.