Contributors: Karen Aney, Jennifer Colbourne, Paul Esau, Michelle Fietje, Joe Johnson, Nadine Moedt, Leanna Pankratz, Ryan Petersen, Ali Siemens, Joel Smart – Email
Print Edition: June 6, 2012
We’re all familiar with Panago, Little Caesars and Pizza Hut – but what about all the little local pizza chains and restaurants? The Cascade staff takes a look at some of the best—and worst—smaller places in Abbotsford to get a slice of the good stuff.
DEAN’S LIST: Top four pizza joints
Ricardo’s Pizza
6-32750 George Ferguson Way
604.859.1112
Pizza Quality: A
Variety: A+
Service: A
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $12
The variety of toppings, sauces and dips they have is quite astounding, including smoked oysters, pulled pork, sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts. I was especially impressed that they offer a gluten-free crust. Their specialty perogie pizza is delicious and well worth the visit. Ready incredibly fast. – J.N.
Ah Beetz New York Pizza
2664 Gladys Ave
604.746.2121
Pizza Quality: A
Variety: A-
Service: A-
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $15
Ah Beetz uses crust stretched thinly by hand over their pizza peel. They have unique toppings like fresh basil, and all ingredients are purchased locally whenever possible. The dedication to quality shows – this is amazing pizza. The crust is thin, crispy and charred, the toppings are abundant and it’s definitely worth the price. – K.A.
City Pizza
107-32883 South Fraser Way
604.850.1035
Pizza Quality: A+
Variety: B
Service: A
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $24.99 (2for1)
A very greasy pizza, but oh-so-delicious. No skimping on toppings or cheese, a tasty crust and especially good meat. Great place for late night munchies, as they’re open until 4:30 a.m. on Fri/Sat and 2 a.m. the rest of the week. Killer walk-in special $13 Lg/6 toppings. – J.C.
Jim’s Pizza
32224 South Fraser Way
604.850.1122
Pizza Quality: A
Variety: B-
Service: A
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $23.88 (2for1)
Hands down the best ham and pineapple in town. Their Chilliwack counterpart is notorious for burnt crust, but this place’s was golden and perfectly tasty. Not much variety, but great if you love the classics. Very prompt and friendly service. – J.N.
Pass
Me-n-Ed’s Pizza Parlor
2010 Sumas Way
604.859.3616
Pizza Quality: A
Variety: A-
Service: B
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $19.65
Me-n-Ed’s is a classic chain with great wood-paneled and big-screened traditions. Unfortunately, while the thin-crust and exotic ingredients are appealing, the price (at $27.90 for any large specialty pie) is not. Bring a coupon or peruse their specials beforehand… or invite mom and her credit card along and break for the bathroom when the check arrives. – P.E.
Fresh Slice
2362 Whatcom Rd
604.853.7789
Pizza Quality: A-
Variety: A
Service: A
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $19.99
Whether picking up, eating in or stopping by, Fresh Slice has an array of options. One of its best qualities is the crust they use – it has a perfect amount of crunch and doesn’t sag when you are lifting the wedge to your mouth. The vegetarian pizza on their multigrain crust is an absolute must try, as well as their Garlic Lover Feast. – A.S.
Valley Pizza
2657 Ware St
604.855.9262
Pizza Quality: A-
Variety: B
Service: A+
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $20.99 (2 for 1)
A hidden gem on Ware St, Valley Pizza certainly offers wonderful prompt and friendly service, along with pizza that is delicious and traditionally appealing with toppings we are all familiar with. For a budget friendly and tasty addition to pizza night, choose Valley Pizza. – L.P.
Classic Pizza & Fish Pakora Ltd
31789 South Fraser Way
604.557.9922
Pizza Quality: A-
Variety: B+
Service: C+
Value: C+
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $27.99 (2 for 1)
Their taco pizza is good, and their tandoori chicken pizza is delicious – spicy chicken with crunchy green peppers, mushrooms and fresh cilantro. I loved the fusion of Indian food on a pizza. I would go back again just for the Tandoori Chicken and their vegetarian options. – R.P.
Dream Pizza
1990 McCallum Rd
604.746.2900
Pizza Quality: A-
Variety: B-
Service: C
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $9.99
Dream Pizza offers $1.25 by-the-slice pizza, specialty pizzas and an assortment of other items. The flavour was adequately greasy and delicious. Despite a tasty homemade sauce, Dream Pizza is not trying to be gourmet. It doesn’t pull any punches. Due to its close proximity to UFV, Dream Pizza is a location to keep in mind – just don’t expect to be greeted at the door. – J.S.
Abby Pizza
33995 Old Yale Rd
604.859.9777
Pizza Quality: B+
Variety: B+
Service: F
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $26.50 (2 for 1)
I have never in my life had ruder service over the phone than at Abby Pizza and I’m pretty sure it was the owner herself. The pizza, however, is good, though nothing special. I enjoyed the strong taste of oregano in the sauce, and the crust was nice and crisp without being overcooked. With such poor service and high prices though, I don’t feel it is worth it. – J.C.
Delux Pizza
2388 McCallum Rd
604.746.3636
Pizza Quality: B
Variety: A
Service: B
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $9.99
Delux Pizza is your typical hole-in-the wall pizza place. While the quality isn’t sensational, it is incredibly cheap; for $3 you can get two decent sized pieces and a can of pop. The vegetarian was the best I’ve tried in some time. The price is right, and so is the taste. – N.M.
MGJ’s Veggie Pizza Hut
101- 30537 Blueridge Dr
604.746.3000
Pizza Quality: B
Variety: C
Service: B
$$ Lg Veggie: $17
The crust was a little overcooked, but the pizza had lots of tasty veggie toppings. It’s rare to find good pizza by the slice, but this place was pretty good. Great joint for vegetarians, but a no-go for dedicated carnivores as they offer no meat options. – J.C.
J’s Pizza
31940 South Fraser Way
604.854.3299
Pizza Quality: B-
Variety: B
Service: A+
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $21.95 (2 for 1)
J’s Pizza has been around for years and their service is always top notch and speedy. J’s is by no means fancy, but their 2 for 1 deal makes pizza ordering cost effective and easy. Their Chicken Special is a company favorite: mushrooms, onions, green peppers and extra tandoori chicken. – A.S.
Tops Pizza
31205 Maclure Rd.
604.864.2225
Pizza Quality: C+
Variety: B
Service: B
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $13
Deciding to try something new, I went to order the butter chicken pizza on the menu only to find it’s no longer offered. I settled for the nearly as delicious sounding tandoori chicken. Upon biting in, I was unimpressed when what should have had some kick to it was ultimately bland and lacked in sauciness. – J.J.
Fail
Pizza Junction & Snacks
6- 32442 George Ferguson Way
604.746.0246
Pizza Quality: C
Variety: B-
Service: B
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $10
Reasonably friendly, but confusingly large menu, average prices and mediocre quality pizza. Very confusing décor and signage. I had a pepperoni pizza and while the toppings were substantial, the quality was nothing to write home about. Probably would not return. – M.F.
MJ’s Pizza
105- 30461 Blueridge Dr
604.746.3377
Pizza Quality: C
Variety: B-
Service: C
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $10
Everything was overcooked on this pizza, and both the crust and meat were burnt. If it hadn’t been burnt, it would have been an average pizza as far as taste goes. I was ignored by four people while I waited to pick up our pizza, and overall I was pretty unimpressed. – J.C.
D-Hut Pizza
2420 Clearbrook Rd
604.854.4466
Pizza Quality: C-
Variety: C
Service: B
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $10
The crust was terribly undercooked and doughy. As for the toppings, the meat and sauce was of noticeably cheap quality, and the cheese was rubbery. It tasted more like a microwave pizza. No topping variety either. The store itself seemed really dirty and grungy. I didn’t feel well after eating at this one and would never go back. – J.C.
Mona Pizza & Curry House
2582 Mt. Lehman Rd.
604.556.0100
Pizza Quality: F
Variety: B+
Service: C-
$$ Lg Pepperoni: $12.99
While visiting the place twice—first time picking up the menu, second time ordering—the service was terrible. Both times I was left waiting in an empty room for minutes. When I did get my butter chicken pizza, there was an unfortunate hair sticking out of one of the pieces of chicken. On the plus side they offer a decent variety of non-pizza meals. – J.J.
