Located in the shadow of Commonwealth Stadium, Tony’s is the epitome of the old-school pizzeria. Go on a Saturday and order some Barcelonas to start; these super-tasty drinks are takes on sangria, mixing wine, Cointreau and lime juice. And then comes the pizza – this is a place with 60 years of history, so spare us the latest fads in toppings. No one comes to Tony’s to eat roasted pears on their slabs. The Sal’s Deluxe, a feast of Italian meats, is the restaurant’s go-to pizza. The New York is a pepperoni pizza with a secret spice mix that, in true New York fashion, only comes in a large size. Have you ever been to a New York City pizzeria and tried to order a small pie? I made that mistake once. They looked at me like I had three heads or, worse yet, wanted to eat the pizza with a fork. (Don’t do any of these things). -Steven Sandor
Food Bite: Tony Mazzotta Sr., the pizzeria founder, once owned a pizza spot in the Bronx.
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The Next Act
This Old Strathcona institution celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. It’s a laid-back spot that screens Turner Classic Movies – no hockey here – and is great for lunch, dinner, late night drinks and weekend brunch. Your best bet is undoubtedly its signature burgers like the weekly-changing cameo and the cult classic PB&J (if you haven’t tried it, you need to. No, it’s not weird). -Breanna Mroczek
This Edmonton institution has been around for over 30 years, and the staff understand that, sometimes, simplicity is key. The menu has remained consistent, and it offers dishes that you just can’t find elsewhere in the city – at least, not prepared with such finesse. The Wiener Schnitzel is a classic – a generous slab of perfectly breaded meat, a dollop of potato salad, a lemon to add a dash of acidity, and a tomato and onion salad for freshness. Perfection. -Adrianna MacPherson
