757 Shades Mountain Plaza, Hoover (Bluff Park; across from Piggly WIggly)
822-4848
www.bakersfamouspizza.com
Frank Baker's family moved from Chicago in 1962, but apparently great pizza was in his blood already. He moved back to Chicago to learn the business from a Sicilian and his mother (who didn't even speak English). One of 10 semi-finalists in the Birmingham News' "Primo Pizza" contest in 2004. Delivery to surrounding areas.

181 Main St., Patton Creek Shopping Center (near Galleria)
403-7480
www.cafelazio.net
Owned by the same folks that own the popular Petrucelli's Italian eatery in Inverness. A December 2007 review in City Scene called it "casual and family friendly; however, dim lighting and a small bar area add atmosphere." The reviewer gave high marks for an appetizer of stuffed eggplant, antipasto, "loaded" pizza, calzones and tiramisu. Indoor and outdoor seating, full bar, hand-tossed pizza whole or by the slice, flatbread sandwiches, heroes, salads, calzones, pasta dishes.

238 Summit Blvd. (Off Hwy. 280 between Cahaba Heights/Vestavia and Inverness areas), 298-7931
3470 Galleria Circle, Hoover, 444-0777
www.cpk.com
OK, it's a chain, but not one you'll see on every corner, and the food is good, if a bit pricy. Designer pizzas offer everything from the traditional to the exotic, plus sandwiches and salads.

1779-2 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, 989-7999 (Galleria area, at Lorna/Hwy. 150 intersection)
1713 10th Avenue South (Southside, near Five Points South), 933-7555
4685 Hwy. 17, Helena, 664-3350
www.formaggios.net
Extensive menu with pizza, pasta, calzones, sandwiches, salads. We've had pizza delivered from the Hoover location and it was pretty good -- not the best in town, but much better than the chains.

2657 Valleydale Road (Hoover/Indian Springs), 437-8300
3435 S. Shades Crest (near where it intersects with Hwy. 150), Hoover, 403-0100
Chelsea, 678-6710
Columbiana, 670-5000
Trussville, 655-3399
Pizza, pasta, salads, subs. While takeout and delivery pizzas are definitely better than the chains, and the meatball sub is quite good, the dine-in experience at the Valleydale location was disappointing.

Galleria Trace Plaza, 2801 Hwy. 150/John Hawkins Pkwy., Hoover (across from Wal-Mart)
403-9800
Serving authentic Chicago-style pizza, with sauce made from hand-crushed tomatoes, baked in a 2-inch-deep pan for a half-hour. Thin-crust pizza is also available. The small eatery is owned and operated by husband and wife Carol and Carlos Vizcaino. Named "Birmingham's Primo Pizza" by the Birmingham News, 2004. The Vizcainos have licensed out the business name and recipes, so there are other Tortuga's pizza restaurants in the area, but this is the original.