Manny’s House of Pizza

Manny’s House of Pizza

HE SAID

Whenever someone asks me for the best pizza in town, I direct them straight to Manny’s House of Pizza. If you’re looking for truly authentic New York-style pizza, then look no further than this indiscreet spot in downtown.

Lucky for me, I work only two blocks away, so going to Manny’s is somewhat of a weekly thing for me. I’ve been going to Manny’s with my dad for over 10 years. Nothing has ever changed. When you walk in, Manny is always there to say hi while he’s making a few pies. The ovens are on, and when opened, you can find amazing pizzas, rolls, or calzones being cooked to perfection. You can eat in the back, which has some…let’s say tables with character and old school video games, or out in The Arcade, which is great for pigeon and people watching!

But Manny’s is not a place you go to be seen or for its looks. You go there for the food. And the food is phenomenal. In my many visits, I’ve had a chance to have almost everything on the menu. The traditional cheese pizza is perfect. The crust is crispy, yet has a great chew to it. The tomato sauce is tangy, and there is a perfect ratio of bread to cheese to sauce. They’ve nailed it at Manny’s and the consistency is what has made them one of my favorite places to eat.

My dad, who basically lived off pizza when he moved to the States, declares Manny’s better than all the pizza places in New York. And coming from a guy who could put down an entire large pizza by himself, I trust his judgment!

Lately, for lunch, I’ve been eating a lot of their rolls – which is basically cheese and some toppings, rolled in dough and baked. This visit, I got the Italian Sausage Roll with onions and peppers. It comes with a small bowl of Manny’s awesome tomato sauce for dipping. The rolls are a quick way to fill up and great when you have lunch on the go. Think about it like a portable pizza! Some of my other favorites are the Spinach Roll, the Eggplant Roll, and the Pepperoni Roll. All fantastic!

Rest assured that at Manny’s, whether it’s their simple Antipasti Salad or a couple slices of the best pizza in town, you’ll always eat well!

-by Vivek

Manny’s House of Pizza

SHE SAID

Best. Pizza. In. Town. Need I say more? Well, I guess for the sake of this review – I’ll tell you all about it!  This hidden gem sits unassumingly in the middle of The Arcade.  The Arcade is an area in downtown filled with restaurants, shops, and offices and is generally VERY busy during lunch hours.  Vivek and I went there for lunch with my dad recently and were really excited about getting a hot slice.  Word to the wise – it’s walking distance from Vivek’s work (lucky guy!), so he just walked over.  I wasn’t as lucky – finding parking in downtown is CRAZY, so if you’re meeting someone for lunch, be sure to provide ample time for searching for parking.

I keep it really simple at Manny’s.  This place is an institution and has the most amazing pizza in town, so all I need is one delicious, hot slice of thin, cheese pizza.  That’s all I want or need. I’m usually a “cover my pizza in veggies kind of girl,” but when it comes to Manny’s House of Pizza, I like a classic New York slice.  It’s the only place in town that serves up authentic fare, and it’s truly the best.  The cheese is always bubbling, the crust is crispy and doughy at the same time, and the sauce is mouthwatering.

If you’re looking for ambiance, this place has a vibe of its own.  I prefer sitting outside in The Arcade, especially when the weather is nice.  The restaurant itself is old school – fluorescent lights, traditional décor, and everything you’d expect a pizza joint to be.  Also, if you’re lucky, you’ll see Manny himself, working behind the pizza bar, making fresh pies all day!  This place is another local, family spot – I LOVE that Nashville has so many family-run places.

If you’re looking for the best pizza in town, look no further – this is the type of place that’ll leave you in pure pizza heaven.  If you work in downtown and haven’t been to Manny’s House of Pizza, walk – no, run – over there ASAP.  It’s delicious, affordable, and offers the absolute perfect slice of pizza!

-by Zarna