The Best Pizza In Cooper City

BY ADAM SHLOMI

This review covers the best pizza parlors in the Cooper City area, well, the places in the area I was willing to travel to. There are some guidelines to the list- the place can’t be considered a real “sit down” restaurant, so John the Baker (good pizza, better garlic rolls) and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza (I don’t like it much, but some do) aren’t allowed. Chain restaurants are not considered because everyone knows Pizza Hut and everyone also knows Pizza Hut is subpar. Places are going to be rated on a variety of factors on a scale of zero to five.

Photo Credit: JEREMY HAAS

Ray’s Pizza

Location: 4/5

Atmosphere: 2/5

Authenticity: 3/5

Pizza: 2/5

Large Pizza: 11.25$

Slices/Delivery: Yes/Yes

Delivery: $1.50

Bonus points for Garlic Rolls

Overall: 2/5

Ray’s is a relatively simple pizza joint; there are a couple of dirty tables, giving off an uninviting vibe that further reinforces the idea that this parlor focuses on takeout/delivery. The main issue with Ray’s is their food’s…how do I put this…durability.  The pizza isn’t too bad when you first get it, but after about 30 minutes it almost instantly turns into a hard, inedible cardboard-like substance, and that’s a problem. According to my editor, Jeremy Haas, 30 minutes in, “This is literally the worst pizza ever.” It’s incredibly thin, flimsy and generally unappetizing, however true the fact that even bad pizza is still good. The owner Ray doesn’t seem like that nice of a guy either, and that turns me off a bit. The best thing about Ray’s is convenience, it’s located right next to Embassy Lakes and Rock Creek on Hiatus and Sheridan, and it both delivers and sells slices, though they are more often than not “out of slices”. Generally, Ray’s should be avoided but in times of dire need it is a regrettably acceptable choice.

Photo Credit: JEREMY HAAS

Steve’s Pizza

Location: 3/5

Environment: 2/5

Authenticity: 2/5

Pizza: 3/5

Large Pizza: $13

Slices/Delivery: Yes/Yes

Delivery: $1

Overall: 2/5

Steve’s Pizza is incredibly similar to Ray’s in atmosphere. The pizza is slightly better though, since it doesn’t turn to cardboard after a half an hour. The pizza costs $2 more than Ray’s, which could influence some, though realistically, it’s a small price to pay to avoid pizza durability. Steve’s is located on Flamingo and Stirling road right by the Publix in Countryside Shops. This parlor isn’t anything special, but in a tossup between Steve’s and Ray’s I would certainly lean towards Steve’s.

Photo Credit: JEREMY HAAS

Alfredo’s Pizza Ristorante

Location: 4/5

Environment: 0/5

Authenticity: 3/5

Pizza: 4/5

Large Pizza: 10.75$

Slices/Delivery: Yes/No

Overall: 4/5

This place is poorly decorated, old, dirty, dilapidated, and really just scary. Alfredo’s does seem authentic nonetheless, and is trying very hard to show that it’s related to New York, even if it’s through 25 year old stained posters that still have the twin towers on them. The pizza, however, is solid…and not in the way Ray’s Pizza is.  Alfredo sells cheesy, doughy, and tasty goodness in the form of pizza, and though there isn’t much of a crust as everything is covered in cheese, it’s worth it for the pizza’s over all deliciousness. Alfredo’s pizza is great, their store, however, isn’t. It’s located right by Walmart on Flamingo and Griffin.

Photo Credit: JEREMY HAAS

DJ’s Pizza

Location: 2/5

Environment: 5/5

Authenticity: 5/5

Pizza: 5/5

Large Pizza: $11

Slices/Delivery: Yes/Yes

Overall: 5/5

Ah, yes, the mecca of Cooper City Pizza is…drum roll please…DJ’s Pizza. This is the best gas station pizza you’ll ever eat. It’s located in a Shell station on Sheridan and Douglas, which I’ll admit sounds a little nasty. I assure you though; this is the world’s nicest gas station, equipped with granite floors and brick walls. Jumbo slices, covered in cheese, yet maintaining a crispy crust, this is what’s to be expected from DJ’s Pizza. Often times, pizza becomes soggy when cheese is loaded on, but somehow DJ’s is able to maintain quality in their pizza, and don’t even get me started on jumbo slices. Jumbo slices are the future of pizza; infinitely superior to regular slices, these slices are easily twice the size of a regular slice. The people working at DJ’s are constantly speaking (yelling?) at each other in Italian, which is a plus. The pizza slices are modestly priced, two slices and a drink for $5, after all these are jumbo slices. This place is the king of local pizza and I highly recommend it.