1st
Tony’s Pizza Palace
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
9605 111 Ave., 780-424-8777, tonyspizzapalace.com
Food Bite: Tony Mazzotta Sr., the pizzeria founder, once owned a pizza spot in the Bronx.
2nd
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
8224 104 St., 780-433-9345, nextactpub.com
3rd