Pearl Street Grill & Brewery is one of the most familiar landmarks in Western New York. Chances are, you’ve been there multiple times for a post-game pint or a patio happy hour. But unless you know exactly where to look, you’ve probably been walking right past a massive secret.
Descend beneath the bustling main bars, and you’ll stumble into Old City Pizza — a moody, low-key hideaway that feels a world away from the familiar brewery above.
Taking over the subterranean footprint of the former Brawler’s Deli, Old City Pizza trades the cavernous brewery energy for an intimate, underground sanctuary. And the menu matches that elevated, insider vibe. Instead of standard pub pies, they’re slinging Neapolitan-style pizzas made with Tipo 1 flour—a less refined, nutrient-rich flour that delivers a deeper color and a richer, more complex flavor than standard 00 dough.
On our recent trip beneath the street level, we dug into the Quattro Formaggi ($18). Featuring a rich, yeasty crust layered with mozzarella, provolone, romano, tangy sauce, and dollops of ricotta, it’s a full-flavored bite that pairs effortlessly with Pearl Street’s draft list.
Pro tip: Slip downstairs to grab a pie like the spicy Diavola ($22) before a Bisons game or a night at Canalside to completely skip the chaotic main-strip rush.…