Being that I spent the first 18 years of my life in the great state of New Jersey (please don’t debate me on the “great” part haha…I get it all the time), I would consider myself a pizza connoisseur. Needless to say, upon arriving in Knoxville in 2004, I was pretty disappointed with the pizza selection – Until I discovered Roman’s Pizza.
The owner hails straight from NYC, and he has the accent and the pizza-making skills to prove it. Located next to the dollar theater in the Windsor Square Shopping Center at 179 N Seven Oaks Dr., it reminds me of all the pizza places I took for granted while living in Jersey. And that’s why I am proclaiming Roman’s Pizza the only REAL pizza in Knoxville…or at least as far as I’ve seen. (Feel free to debate me on that one. I’d love to discover more good pizza places.)
You can buy pizza by the slice for under $2, full meals for about $10 and deserts for about $3 (make sure you try their canolis!). And, from what I hear the pizza is gluten free, so it caters to those with food allergies and Celiac Disease. The best part of all? It’s made by REAL Italians! Don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself!
This is NOT a paid advertisement. The food is just that damn good.
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A coworker introduced me to Roman’s a few years back. It’s everything you stated and more. Really good pizza with no frills attached.
I’ll definitely have to check this place out.
Other good sources of pizza in Knoxville include:
Tomato Head
Mellow Mushroom
Harby’s Pizza and Deli
I also like Big Ed’s Pizza, but Oak Ridge is a little off the map for my tastes.
@Patrick Beeson: Big Ed’s is tops for me but Roman’s is a close second.
The best pizza actually in Knoxville is Three Brothers at 200 W Woodland Ave beats Harby’s hands down. I’m tempted to say they’re better than Big Eds.
Roman’s is pretty good. Another good one (actually my favorite) is Pizza Palace on Magnolia. Bonus: you can order a curbside beer while waiting for your pizza. (Not for the designated driver, of course.)
I want to add that I haven’t tried Roman’s and I’m excited to try them the next time I’m out west, but if you’re downtown, head 5 minutes North and try Three Bros, you won’t regret it.
Author
Great suggestions 🙂
I might just have to have a pizza tasting week haha…
Roman’s is very awesome indeed.
New Jersey-born and raised on good New York pizza.
Roman’s was a staple for my family when I was growing up, but I will also say that Savelli’s makes a good pie.
I’m a regular at Roman’s, in no small part due to their daily lunch special, currently $5.50 for two slices and a fountain drink. Great pizza for a great price can’t be beat.
Am THRILLED for this post. Had no idea Roman’s existed, and can’t wait to try it. Been missing NYC-style pizza…glad to hear it actually exists in Knoxville!
@Meg: Happy I could lead you there 🙂 I actually just found out about it a few months ago when my boyfriend took me. His mom’s from NYC so I guess she’s taken him since he was a little kid.
Two Trottas agree that Roman’s and Big Ed’s are the best pizza around. Also worth the trip is Metro in Maryville. Sal, the owner, is a trip and the pizza is incredible New York style.
Roman’s is fantastic. If New Jersey/New York style is your thing then you should also try Metro Pizza in Alcoa (in the WalMart center) and I (Heart) New York Pizza on Chapman Highway. Yum!
I’m going to have to put in my vote too for Big Ed’s. Being an Oak Ridge HS graduate, Big Ed’s is the best place to be for great food and running into old friends. Of course it was even better when you used to get to see Big Ed himself at the restaurant!!
I’m going to second Metro Pizza on Alcoa Highway but I do love Roman’s too.
No mention of Little Joe’s……very interesting
Roman’s is fantastic as well
Romans rocks!!!…I started eating there when sal owned it, than john and his brother david took over, they make the best..big ed’s is to hot…I know it’s there thing but when the pizza hits the table I don’t want to wait another 30 min to eat it…evewrything david makes is good..he has had me try things I would never think I would like…but I do. when your needing something so good that it will make your tongue beat your brains out…go to romans
I’ve not been to Roman’s yet, but will have to soon.
I was surprised to not see Dazzo’s on anybody’s list for best pizza in Knoxville. They’re about 5 months old and kitty-corner from the Bijou on Gay street. Dude’s from NY and knows how to make a good pie!
I LOVE NEW YORK PIzza NEXT TO the RUSH on Chapman Hwy. is the unknown jewel of pizzas. Also, THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZA COMPANY In Sevierville. Both are up to Big Ed’s or Roman’s standards.
Ditto to Harby’s. Its by far the best pizza I’ve ever had. Try the meat lovers, you won’t be disappointed!
I can second Dazzo’s. it’s @ the top of my list for pizza here in ktown…
Just read the Sentinel’s review of Three Brothers on Woodland. It said that they just opened about six months ago. They gave it a great review and I can’t wait to try it.
Love Romans! Long time fan…love that little dash of NY attitude that comes with it. The BEST chicken parm ever… There was time I would frequent Romans 3 to 5 days a week! It’s that good and worth the wait!
Just a little bit of history for ya on Roman’s. Sal from Metro Pizza in Maryville is the original owner of Roman’s. He & his wife came here from Italy and opened up that shop when I was a kid. They sold it it, moved away, & came back to TN later. I eat pizza pretty often & am a child of 2 parents from Brooklyn, so I fancy myself a bit of a pizza expert. Here are a few good places around town:
Dazzo’z Pizza (Gay Street)
Da Vinci’s (Old City)
Three Brother’s (Woodlawn)
Harby’s (Broadway)
Little Joe’s (Deep West Kingston Pike – Dixie Lee Junction)
I Luv NY Pizza (Chapman Highway)
Joshephines (Kingston Pike – Farraqgut – Next to Sir Gooneys)
Am I the only person in the world who does not rate Big Ed’s?
If you actually analyze the pizza and don’t get caught up in the ‘it must be great because I had to que to get in’ thing then it is great within a level of mediocrity. Sorry.
Metro Pizza is good but from where I live it is 50 miles each way.
Joan
Does anyone know of a soft serve mobile ice cream truck?
You just don’t see them anymore.
Joan