8 of the Best Pizzas in Elkhart County

It’s always a good time for pizza. Here are just of few of Elkhart County’s Well Crafted favorites.

Venturi
123 E. Lincoln Ave., Goshen | 574.485.2985

A few years back, three guys with a passion for Neapolitan culture and cuisine came together to create Indiana’s only Italian-certified Neapolitan pizzeria. Today, Venturi‘s Fig Pizza holds a spot in the top 15 “life-changing” pizzas featured in Esquire magazine. Venturi follows three-century-old techniques - preserved by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana – with each hand-crafted creation from their wood-fired oven. Most people agree: It’s truly la pizza perfezione! Mangiare!

Rulli's
851 U.S. 20, Middlebury | 574.825.7222

Rulli’s is a neighborhood favorite. You’ll often see Sam or Mary Rulli on-site greeting customers. Most will sit down to either Papa's Spicy PizzaGiardinara, pepperoni, tomatoes, onions & red hot saucePapa’s Spicy Pizza (flavored with giardiniera, pepperoni, tomatoes, onions and red-hot sauce) or Nana’s Sweet variety (a delicious combo of Vidalia sauce, onions, chicken and tomatoes). There are a dozen other options between these sweet and savory selections. Your challenge will be choosing.

Cook’s Pizza
101 South Elkhart Street, Wakarusa | 574.862.4425

One or both of the Cook brothers is always on hand in this Main Street mainstay that’s been serving the locals for 50 years. Locals love the “Cook’s Special,” a family recipe with a traditional crust packed with a tastebud-tempting combination of Amish-made sausage, ham and pepperoni chased with a slathering of mushrooms, onions and green peppers. Cook’s is a no-frills establishment, but the experience is as classic and authentic a small-town pizzeria as it gets.

Chicago’s Downtown Eatery
218 E. Vistula St., Bristol | 574.848.5800

If you’re in the mood for a thick crust pizza, there’s no place better than Chicago’s Downtown Eatery in Bristol. Feast away on their authentic deep dish Chicago style with your favorite toppings or order the famous Kitchen Sink Pizza. Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds!

Iechyd Da Brewing Co.
317 N. Main St., Elkhart | 574.293.0506

Chip and Summer Lewis are known for their hand-crafted brews, but the food is equally worthy and their legion of loyal followers proves it. Popular pizzas here include the “Kidwelly,” which teams rosemary oil, smoky ham & gouda, mozzarella, fresh arugula and balsamic. There are lots of options - from the tried-and-true red sauce pizzas to creative weekly features. You can ponder your choices over a crisp pale ale or malty session beer. After all, in Welsh, Iechyd da means “cheers!” Dine-in is 21+ only with COVID-19 restrictions but there is always carry-out.

Volcano Pizza
126 Easy Shopping Place, Ekhart | 574.295.8606

For lovers of a thinner crust, Volcano Pizza has been the go-to since 1957. Nearly 65 years and two generations of the Campanello family have kept the tradition alive. Check out “Greg’s Special” – a celebration of sausage and pepperoni paired with mushrooms and green peppers. Whatever toppings might tempt you, you can be sure of one thing: The Campanello family will send you off with a box of hearth-baked heaven. Pro tip: Locals swear by Volcano breadsticks with their signature red sauce for dipping.

Michael’s Italian Restaurant
528 Harrison St., Elkhart | 574.522.3664

When you picture a homey old-world Italian restaurant, Michael’s comes to mind. The building’s been in the Lavagnilio family since 1917 and the restaurant has long been a well-loved fixture in this southside Italian neighborhood. Michael’s serves much more than pizza, but its thin-crust offerings really stand out. Locals love the EBA (Everything But Anchovies) topped with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers. Swap the green peppers for jalapenos for a “Plummers” pie. No one remembers exactly how it got its name, but pizza devotees agree, “That’s Amore.”

Antonio’s Italian Ristorante
1105 Goshen Ave., Elkhart | 574.295.8424

What could be better than a pizza hand-crafted by a world champion pizza maker! Paul Cataldo is the owner and operator of Antonio’s Italian Ristorante. However, Paul is more than a restaurateur, his is an international Pizza Champion! He’s won numerous awards but the crowning jewel was winning first place in the 2019 International Pizza Competition in Las Vegas. You can dine in (with COVID-19 restrictions) and try the Vegas Fortuna or any of their other award-winning pizzas or carry out.