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These 8 Georgia Pizza Joints Have Been Tossing Pies The Same Way Since Your Parents Were Kids

Cole Savannah 9 min read
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These 8 Georgia Pizza Joints Have Been Tossing Pies The Same Way Since Your Parents Were Kids

Some Georgia pizza places have outlasted shopping malls, video stores, and just about every food trend you can name. The eight spots on this list have been feeding hungry crowds for decades, from a Greek-style pizzeria in Decatur that opened in 1966 to a slice shop in Savannah that still only takes cash.

They matter because they have kept their recipes, their quirks, and their loyal regulars while so much else around them changed. If you want a pizza night that comes with a little history on the side, these are the ovens to know about.

1. Athens Pizza, Decatur, GA

Athens Pizza, Decatur, GA
© Athens Pizza, Decatur, GA

Back in 1966, a pizza place with a Greek accent opened on Clairmont Road, and Decatur has been ordering from it ever since. Athens Pizza still turns out the thick-crust pies that built its name, alongside Greek dishes you would never expect from a typical pizzeria.

The Athens Special is the pie that regulars keep coming back for. It arrives loaded with fresh toppings, and the crust is sturdy enough to carry all of them.

A Mediterranean pizza and a simple cheese pie round out the easy choices.

The rest of the menu is where things get interesting. Gyro platters, spanakopita, pastitsio, fried calamari, baked spaghetti, and lemon chicken rice soup all share the page with the pizzas.

The tzatziki has a following of its own, and the baklava makes a sweet finish.

I like this stop for families who can never agree on dinner. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs are available, and a full vegetarian menu covers the meat-free crowd.

A private dining room helps with bigger gatherings, and reservations are accepted.

Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. A free lot usually makes parking simple.

Saturday and Sunday evenings bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the calmer bet.

2. Fellini’s Pizza, Atlanta, GA

Fellini's Pizza, Atlanta, GA
© Fellini’s Pizza, Atlanta, GA

Late-night slice seekers on Ponce de Leon Avenue have had a reliable friend since 1979. Fellini’s Pizza has been part of the Atlanta scene for more than four decades, and it still runs on the same simple idea of great slices without the fuss.

Ordering happens at the counter. Pick from thin-crust New York style or thick Sicilian, by the slice or as a whole pie.

A plain cheese slice is the real test here, and it passes easily.

For something bigger, the Fellini’s Special Pizza piles on the toppings. The Spinach Mushroom and Vegetarian pies keep the meat-free side interesting, and Ham and Pineapple is on the menu for anyone who likes that debate.

Calzones and salads are there too.

The colorful patio is a big part of the charm. It is a laid-back place to grab a table, and the open layout inside keeps things moving even when it gets busy.

Night owls, take note. Fellini’s stays open until midnight most nights and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

There is no delivery and no reservations, so plan to walk up and order like everyone else.

3. Ingleside Village Pizza, Macon, GA

Ingleside Village Pizza, Macon, GA
© Ingleside Village Pizza, Macon, GA

Walk into Ingleside Village Pizza and the decor alone gives you plenty to look at while you wait. The Macon favorite is known for its quirky, kitschy style, and that personality carries right over to the food.

New York style pies are the main event. Toppings go on generously, and the crust and sauce get as much praise as anything piled on top.

The Village Pizza and the Ultimate Pizza are two of the signature picks, and slices are available if you are flying solo.

Do not skip the Sloppy Breadsticks. The name tells you exactly what to expect, and they make a fun starter for the table.

Subs come in big portions for anyone not in a pizza mood.

Here is the practical part. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, and Sunday hours run only from 4 to 8 p.m.

It does not take reservations, and there is usually a wait on busy nights, so a Wednesday or Thursday lunch is a smart move.

Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and there is a full vegan menu too. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, and a private lot helps with parking.

4. Vinnie Van GoGo’s, Savannah, GA

Vinnie Van GoGo's, Savannah, GA
© Vinnie Van GoGo’s, Savannah, GA

Bring cash. That is the first rule of Vinnie Van GoGo’s, the Savannah slice shop that has been a City Market fixture since 1991 and still does not take cards.

The name is a playful nod to a famous painter, but the pizza is the real work of art here. Slices are big, the crust is thin, and whole pies come out ready to share.

It is the kind of simple, classic pizza that has kept people coming back for more than 30 years.

The location makes it an easy stop during a day of exploring downtown. It sits on West Bryan Street in the historic district, and the patio seating is prime territory on a nice afternoon.

A few tips help. Monday through Thursday, the kitchen closes from 3 to 4 p.m. before reopening for dinner, while Friday and Saturday run straight through until 11 p.m.

Saturdays get busy from afternoon into night, and there is usually a wait.

Parking can be tricky, with paid lots and street spots that fill up fast. Walking over from nearby squares is often the easier plan.

Dogs are allowed, and high chairs are available for little ones.

5. Spanky’s River Street, Savannah, GA

Spanky's River Street, Savannah, GA
© Spanky’s River Street, Savannah, GA

Long before River Street became a packed tourist strip, Spanky’s was already serving food along the Savannah waterfront. It has been part of the riverfront since 1976, and it still sits among the old brick buildings and cobblestones at 317 East River Street.

Chicken fingers are what made the name famous, but the pizza holds its own. The thin crust comes with a light sauce and plenty of cheese, and portions are generous enough to split with the table.

Spanky’s Spuds are a must for the side order. Chicken Parmesan and salads fill out the menu for anyone who wants a change of pace.

This is a lively, casual spot that handles a crowd well. Groups, families, and sports fans all fit in, and there is a kids’ menu with high chairs available.

Free wi-fi is a nice bonus if you need to plan the rest of your day.

Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, stretching to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend afternoons get busy.

Parking along River Street takes some patience, so a paid lot nearby is usually the easiest choice.

6. Little Italy Pizzeria, Athens, GA

Little Italy Pizzeria, Athens, GA
© Little Italy Pizzeria, Athens, GA

Ask anyone who went to college in Athens where they ended up after a long night, and Little Italy Pizzeria is likely to come up. The downtown shop on North Lumpkin Street has been handing out slices to students and townies for decades.

The pizza sticks to the New York playbook. Slices are huge, the crust is thin and crispy, and toppings are plentiful.

Whole pies are available, and asking for a well-done crust is a popular move.

Subs are the other big draw, with hot and cold options plus half-size portions for smaller appetites. The Meat Stromboli and Three Cheese Calzone are solid picks when you want something folded instead of flat.

Hours are the real headline here. Little Italy stays open until 2 a.m.

Monday through Wednesday and until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

It is closed on Sundays.

Ordering is at the counter, and the room keeps things simple with sports on the TVs and a few arcade games. Street parking downtown is tough to find, so walking in from campus or a nearby deck makes life easier.

7. Oz Pizza- Fairburn, Fairburn, GA

Oz Pizza- Fairburn, Fairburn, GA
© Oz Pizza- Fairburn, Fairburn, GA

Small-town Main Street charm and big pizza flavor meet on Southwest Broad Street in Fairburn. Oz Pizza sits right in the town’s historic commercial district, and it has become a go-to spot for fresh, hand-tossed pies south of Atlanta.

The crust is the star. It manages to be crispy and light at the same time, with a slightly sweet crunch, and the sauce leans spicy and savory.

Toppings are fresh and plentiful, which gives these pies a clear edge over the big delivery chains.

Build Your Pizza lets you go your own way, but the specialty pies are worth a look. The Mack is a vegetarian favorite, and the Veggie Deluxe comes by the slice.

Calzones, subs, meatballs, breadsticks, a house salad, and a classic Caesar fill out the rest of the menu.

I would save this one for a Saturday afternoon stroll through downtown Fairburn. The outdoor tables are a pleasant place to sit, and families get a kids’ menu and high chairs.

Keep the schedule in mind. Oz is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.

Parking is usually easy.

8. The Pizza Joint – Downtown Augusta, Augusta, GA

The Pizza Joint - Downtown Augusta, Augusta, GA
© The Pizza Joint – Downtown Augusta, Augusta, GA

Among the boutiques lining Broad Street, one rustic storefront has been firing up brick-oven pies since the 1990s. The Pizza Joint in downtown Augusta grew into a small local chain, but this Broad Street spot remains the heart of it.

Dough is what people talk about most. It is the base for big slices and whole pies, and prices stay friendly for the portion size.

The Brando’s BBQ slice and a classic Hawaiian slice show off the range.

Calzones come with a sense of humor, including the Chauvinistic Pig. Garlic knots and bruschetta make easy starters, and the Flatwich and Margherita Flatbread offer a lighter option.

The outdoor seating has a garden setting that makes lunch downtown more relaxing. Dogs are welcome, and kids get their own menu plus high chairs.

Some nights bring live music too.

The space inside keeps things informal, with a no-frills, concrete look that matches the laid-back style. Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, Thursday evening is usually the busiest stretch, and parking is typically easy to find.

It is a fitting final stop on a list built around places that have stuck with what works.

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