Where does pizza come from? Did it waft down from the heavens on a cheese-scented cloud? Did the stork drop it through the chimney of an Italian ristorante like some adorable dough-baby? When did people first start putting pineapple on it? Who in the world thought up this flavorful delicacy? Do humans even deserve pizza?
Ok, so we know that pizzas aren’t gifts from the gods—they’re part of the natural evolution of flatbreads to the tomato-topped cheese bombs we’re all familiar with. And, love it or hate it, pineapple on pizza has been traced to Ontario. But one thing is for sure, Michiganders love their pizza. Some of the biggest pizza chains in the world originated in our fair state: old standards like Domino’s, Little Caesars, and Jet’s. We know a good pie when we see one.
You won’t run out of pizza options in the Petoskey area. But you don’t need to do in-depth research to find the perfect spot to settle your pizza cravings. We’re highlighting five of the top pizza providers in the region so you can find the pie of your dreams during your travels.
Piper’s Mighty Good Pizza
974 W Conway Rd, Harbor Springs
231-348-6900
Shall I compare Piper’s to a summer’s day? Thou art more cheesy and your crust is absolute fire.
Mighty Good Pizza is run by Doug Piper, a man with 30 years in the pizza business, along with his wife Tamara. While it’s a little off the beaten path in Harbor Springs, just past the fabulous New Beginnings Resale Store, it’s totally worth the drive or delivery.
Try Brie’s favorite chicken and spinach-artichoke dip pizza. It’s a creamy, dreamy, spicy combination of pepper-flecked dip, chicken, and a coating of mozzarella cheese. And the crust is obsession-worthy. It’s dense and pillowy, handmade and hand-tossed daily. Garlic-parmesan crust edges are lovingly dusted with copious amounts of cheese.
Like all the pizzerias listed here, Piper’s has the usual faves. However, they also have an extensive selection of specialty and signature pies. Ever had a krab rangoon pizza, a sesame seed crust topped with krab and cream cheese dip, wontons, chives, and sweet and sour sauce? How about a Polish sausage, sauerkraut, and onion pie? Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, grinders, calzones, pasta, grinders, and desserts are all available to feed your hungry crew.
Need some cheese to go with your cheesy pizza? Stop by Petoskey Cheese just across from Piper’s and grab specialty cheeses and accoutrements to go.
Do you see the parmesan sprinkled around the crust of Piper’s Mighty Good’s chicken and spinach-artichoke dip pizza? That’s what love looks like. Photo credit: Jen DeMoss
Full Moon Pizza
425 Michigan St, Petoskey
231-881-9933
https://www.woodfiredfullmoon.com/
Rusty Bolt and Sarah Marolf started Full Moon Pizza in 2020, and the food truck still going strong at The Back Lot in downtown Petoskey between May and October. Thin crust lovers, this is going to be one of the best pizzas you’ll ever have. The entire experience of eating a Full Moon pizza is satisfying, from the savory toppings to the perfectly wood-fired crust, friendly service, and atmosphere. Did we mention you can grab a beer or cider from The Back Lot bar to accompany your pizza? Yes, you can.
Bolt advertises “distinctive and bold flavors,” and it’s true—his pizzas are hearty and original. Take, for instance, the beetza: a wood-fired crust topped with beets, goats cheese, mushrooms, arugula, and his five-cheese blend. The toppings are sweet, savory, and creamy from the goat cheese. It was gone minutes after it hit the table.
Other offerings include the herby, delicious margarita pizza, smothered with pillowy mozzarella and basil; the fun-guy, a blend of mushrooms, pepperoni, red onion; and the peppadew, topped with sausage and sweet peppadew peppers. Kids will love the cheese pizza, overflowing with mozzarella, fontina, white cheddar, asiago, and Romano cheeses. Or design your own 9” or 12” inch pie.
While chatting with Bolt for this article, he sold numerous cosmic brownies—huge chunks of iced chocolate warmed by the blazing pizza oven—and slushies. It’s a family-friendly food truck with a huge selection of non-alcoholic drinks and delectable pies. Back Lot food trucks stagger their working days, so make sure to check online for the full schedule.
Rusty Bold arranges pizzas in a blisteringly hot, wood-fired oven. Yes, that’s a Cosmic Brownie warming near the opening. Photo credit: Jen DeMoss
Rusty Saw North
3459 US-31, Brutus
231-529-6574
https://www.rustysawnorth.com/
Yeah, Rusty Saw is a BBQ joint, replete with pulled pork, barbecued chicken, brisket, and burgers that locals rave over. But after 2:00 p.m., they start serving some of the most intensely-flavored pizza in the area. And for people who turn up their noses at thick, doughy crusts, they have just the ticket for you: the thinnest crust I’ve ever eaten. It’s chewy towards the center and delightfully crispy at the edges.
Rusty Saw’s pizzas are meat-centric—no surprise for a BBQ joint. I started with the Viking, a wood-fired pie topped with generous portions of brisket, smoked tomato, smoked onion, mozzarella, and smoked gouda. Is BBQ sauce good on pizza? Absolutely, and it paired well with the other smoky flavors.
The Uncle Buck, with intensely smoky burnt brisket ends and BBQ sauce, is another option that’s right at home at the Rusty Saw. The meat lovers pie is topped with four different cuts of pork. The Hornet features pulled pork, bacon, jalapeño, and pineapple.
Unlike some of our other Petoskey area pizza spots, Rusty Saw has a wide-open dining space with an authentic up-north feel. Chunky wooden tables and lake-life décor complement the roomy, welcoming dining areas. It’s a beautiful spot for the full dining experience, with breakfast served Wednesday through Sunday.
Thin crust and smoky, meaty toppings at the Rusty Saw in Brutus. Photo credit: Jen DeMoss
Mighty Fine Pizza
222 E Mitchell St, Petoskey
231-347-3255
Mighty Fine Pizza is a Petoskey institution. And, at just 8’ wide, it might be the narrowest pizza place on the planet. There’s no dining in, just delivery or takeout at a counter that fronts the length of the former alleyway, now 50+ year-old pizza establishment. It’s been around long enough to be owned by a former employee from the 90s, Earl Flynn, and his wife Amber.
Mighty Fine’s homemade dough is thick and plush, and it’s made fresh daily for their pizzas and bread sticks. Same for the pizza sauce and dressings—these are all homemade right in the store. And locally-sourced, hand-cut pizza toppings are a regular part of their trade.
A personal fave is the Greek pizza, topped with huge chunks of salty feta cheese and smothered with artichoke hearts, olives, spinach, and onions. People cannot keep their hands off this pizza. They don’t skimp on the toppings, and the sauce is rich and satisfying.
Mighty Fine has some simple, hearty pizzas to satisfy the younger folks in your group. I know of at least one kid who lives off their pepperoni pizza. But why not branch out and try something different? How about an olive burger pizza topped with ground beef, olives, swiss, mozzarella, ketchup, and mustard? Or a chili cheese dog pizza with chili, polish sausage, mustard, cheddar, and onion? Let Mighty Fine steer you towards the pizza of your dreams.
What Mighty Fine Pizza, nestled into a former alleyway, lacks in space, it makes up for with flavor. Photo credit: Jen DeMoss
Trophy Room Pub & Pizzeria
1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls
231-549-7283
https://www.boynemountain.com/dining/trophy-room-pub-and-pizzeria
Trophy Room is the kind of place where you can have it all: a relaxing meal after a day on the slopes or the links. A spot to socialize with other folks staying at Boyne Mountain. A pizza house that your kids will ask to return to every year during your vacation.
Trophy Room offers a classic pizza experience: a crust that hits the sweet spot between thin and deep dish, a robust red sauce, and generous portions of toppings. The triple crown pizza comes loaded with black olives, pickled peppers, mushrooms, and onions. The meatball grinder, heavy on mozzarella and meatballs, is a great way to satisfy your craving for a pie and a sandwich at the same time. And the gold, silver, and bronze Pizzas are stuffed with pepperoni, bacon, multiple other cuts of meat, and vegetables.
Come for the pizza, stay for the recreation. Boyne Mountain is an enormous playground, with activities ranging from Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark to the newly-constructed SkyBridge. There’s a spa packed with options for facials, massages, stylists, nail services, steam rooms, saunas, and fitness classes. And, of course, how can you talk about Boyne Mountain without mentioning their skiing adventures for all-day winter fun.
The Trophy Room is tucked into a cul-de-sac by Clock Tower Lodge, with outdoor outfitters, treats, a tavern, a waterpark, a spa, and a sports center all within a stone’s throw. Grab a pizza, then head out for shopping and outdoor adventures in one of northern Michigan’s premiere recreation communities.
You don’t have to take your Trophy Room pie home. Grab some slices and enjoy all the rest and recreation Boyne Mountain has to offer. Photo credit: Jen DeMoss
About the Author: Jen DeMoss is a newcomer to the Petoskey area and loves northern Michigan. You can catch her paddling a canoe, hiking a trail, or swimming in Lake Michigan as often as the weather cooperates. She’d love to help you make the most of your time in this paradise she now calls home.