Where’s your favorite slice?

If there’s anything most of us can agree on, it’s that pizza is deliciously awesome. Whether you like basic cheese, or something more adventurous like buffalo chicken, you really can’t go wrong with the combination of a good sauce, crispy crust and whatever toppings the mind can dream up. Despite its Italian origins, pizza is an American delicacy and there are people all over the country who are enthusiastic about it by the slice, or even by the whole pie.

On National Pizza Day, Feb. 9, consider hitting up your local pizzeria. Yeah, you can go to Domino’s or Pizza Hut, but the independently run, and sometimes family owned, pizza place can provide a culinary experience that few chains can rival.

Tony’s Pizza Palace on Pontiac Ave in Cranston is practically an institution with its 50-year history. Another place in the same city that has a similar reputation is The Big Cheese & Pub on Reservoir Avenue. At Big Cheese consider a side of mozzarella bread too. If you’re looking for a great Sicilian style pie, try Catanzaro’s Pizzeria on Park Avenue or Tommy’s Pizza on Oaklawn Avenue. Both places are fantastic, and Maria’s Pizza & Wings, which is down the street from Tony’s on Pontiac Avenue, is solid as well.

In Johnston, the town is home to D. Palmieri’s Bakery, which has the best pizza strips. I know folks from outside of Rhode Island like to trash these local goodies, but once they have one from there I think they’ll change their mind. La Nuova Pizzeria on Atwood Avenue makes their own dough, which makes a big difference and it guarantees a scrumptious pie. Rosa Mia Pizza on Greenville Avenue can make a pizza in a variety of crusts ranging from regular to thin crust to focaccia with an amazing selection that caters to any appetite. There’s also the Pizza Palace on Plainfield Pike, which always has spectacular specials available.

When you’re talking about pizza in Warwick, Crusty’s Pizza on Warwick Avenue comes to mind. The award-winning establishment has been around for over 30 years, and they stay true to their name with a crust that has a proper crunch to go along with their fresh ingredients. If you’re looking for a place that’s very affordable, but also delicious, the Pier Pizza Company on Post Road is exactly what you’re looking for. For the people who are looking for that Massachusetts South Shore bar pizza they’ve been seeing all over the internet, they don’t have to go far by heading to Grainsley’s on West Shore Road in the heart of Conimicut Village. There’s also the amazing and unique varieties at The Pizza Nomad right over the border on Providence Street in West Warwick.

And if you’re looking to celebrate Feb. 9, then head over to Apponaug Brewing Company on  Knight Street within the Pontiac Mills for their pizza party that’s going on from 11am to 8pm.

Everyone has their favorite local pizza place, and if I didn’t mention yours, then my sincere apologies. If any of these establishments I included are new to you, then make sure to go check them out when you can. There’s really nothing like a great pizza, and the area around Cranston, Johnston and Warwick has plenty of fantastic places to choose from.