Enjoy New York Style Pizza in Downtown Athens

A large pepperoni pizza.Photo byJameson Steward

How I lived in Athens, Alabama for three years without ever eating at Mozza Pizza, I'm not sure. But the family and I will be returning for what my oldest son said was "the best pizza in Athens."

After trying a piece myself, I think he's right.

While the kids were wolfing down pizza faster than Lane Kiffin scoops up players in the transfer portal, I was eating what might be the best cheesesteak I've ever had.

A cheesesteak.Photo byJameson Steward

I ordered it exactly as it came - with the cheese, steak, peppers, and onions. The bread had a nice crisp on the outside while it was soft and fluffy on the inside. I suspect they make the bread themselves, it wasn't like anything you can buy at the store.

The owners of Mozza Pizza are originally from New York, and when they took over Mozza Pizza a couple of years ago, they experimented until they achieved "an authentic New York crust."

A New York-style pizza crust is much larger than most of the pizzas we're used to down here in the South. The crust tends to be crispy around the edges while being thin enough to fold in half while you eat it.

There's more to it than that, but you'll have to taste the difference for yourself!