If you’ve been by the Summit recently, you might have noticed the new The Escape Game and Great Big Game Show. Located right next door is Emmy Squared Pizza is one of the Summit’s restaurant gems (300 Summit Blvd., Ste 104, Birmingham). You might’ve seen or visited one of the chain’s other locations in cities like Nashville, Atlanta, and New York. While each restaurant sticks to their classic tried-and-true recipes, their spaces all have their own “flavor,” and Birmingham’s is cheery and open, filled with fresh greenery. Open for dinner Monday through Wednesday and for lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday,* this family-friendly neighborhood spot should be your go-to for a Detroit-style pizza.
THE PIZZA
I’ll confess: I’m normally not a deep-dish pizza kinda girl. But the Detroit-style pizza they serve at Emmy Squared is the perfect thickness without feeling too thick and greasy. And the best part is there is a pizza for every kind of person. “Our secret? We combined a New York style grandma pie with a Detroit style pizza and then added a dose of culinary creativity with our fluffy focaccia-like dough, edged with a caramelized, crispy cheese known as frico crust,” their website explains.
Their menu is divided into three “saucy” camps: Reds, Pinks, and Whites. The “red” is self-explanatory—red sauce! The “pink” is a Vodka sauce, and the “white” just means that the first layer is cheese, not sauce—but that just means it likely has a glaze on top. Within each category, they have multiple pizza options. Whether you prefer a ridiculously fabulous amount of ooey gooey cheese, all the meat and then some, pineapple-galore, or the spicier the better, there’s a pizza for you. Here’s my recs:
- BIG ANG (Pink)
It’s the creamy, fluffy ricotta cheese that sells this one for me, although the banana peppers also make it special.
- GOOD PAULIE (White)
Talk about cheesy—this one is for my cheese-lovers out there. The caramelized onions and Italian sausage add a bit of substance (and dare I say protein) to this piece of cheese pizza.
- THE FOUNDERS (Red)
There’s a reason this one is the most popular. The sweet honey combined with the spicy jalapenos and pepperonis make for a memorable, delicious bite.
- BIG HAWAIIAN (White)
This one has an unexpected kick to it due to the pineapple chili glaze, but the pineapple itself is complemented by the pepperoni and bacon.
EVERYONE CAN EAT HERE
Have a picky eater? You can customize every pizza—remove a topping or add one at your fancy. And gluten-free eaters, don’t count yourself out! They use a cauliflower crust and don’t cross-contaminate, and you’ll find it’s one of the best GF pizza options out there. They even serve vegan options, which makes your dining experience even more kid-friendly.
The “half and half” option might be the best part about these pizzas—you can order your pizza with two different flavors, even in their “sixer” (with six pieces, perfect for 1–2 people to split). It doesn’t even have to be the same sauce base. Personally, I see this as an opportunity to try double the number of pizzas.
THE “NOT PIZZA” OPTIONS
It feels like in every family, there’s always that one person who either doesn’t want what everyone else wants for dinner—or perhaps cannot eat it due to dietary restrictions. Whether you ate pizza for lunch or you’re looking for a healthier option, Emmy Squared has you covered. They offer multiple salad options that come in a sharable portion or a side salad, including a wedge, a Caesar, and a shaved Brussel Sprouts. You can even add on grilled, crispy, or Nashville hot chicken to “spice” it up.
Their double-stack burger, the Le Big Matt, was named “#1 Best Burger in Nashville” by The Tennessean and several NYC journals also have raved about it. So you’re not getting second-best, even if you don’t get pizza. Their other handhelds include a Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Chicken Parm Sandwich, both served on pretzel buns…