Beyond the Boroughs: The Pizzas That Prove NYC Doesn’t Own the Crown
- Hudson Valley Happenings
- Oct 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Everyone thinks the best pizza stops at the city limits—but take a drive upstate and you’ll find something wild happening in the ovens. Albany, Montgomery, Poughkeepsie, Eastchester—each town hides a pie that locals swear by and foodies chase down. From caramelized Detroit-style corners to Grandma pies passed down through generations, these aren’t just slices, they’re stories. This isn’t another “best pizza” roundup—it’s a roadmap to the pies rewriting New York’s story one bite at a time.
The Hudson Valley’s Wood-Fired Roadshow
You’ll Never Forget
They will come to you!
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There’s pizza…and then there’s the magic that happens when Get Lost Pizza rolls up to your event, fires crackling, dough stretching, the smell of blistered crust and fresh basil swirling in the air. Born in 2023 as a pop-up at Hudson Valley Brewery, this mobile wood-fired wonder has taken the Hudson Valley by storm—serving unforgettable pies at backyard bashes, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and corporate parties all year round. And yes, you can still catch them slinging perfection in their residency at Hudson Valley Brewery through November, making Saturday beer runs dangerously irresistible.
The brainchild of Hudson Valley food scene dynamo Chris Crocco—also behind The Beacon Daily and Claude’s Italian Specialties—Get Lost Pizza isn’t just catering, it’s culinary theater. Your guests watch as dough meets flame, cheese bubbles into molten bliss, and toppings go from fresh to fabulous in under two minutes. The result? Pizzas that hit that elusive sweet spot between artisan craft and straight-up comfort: charred edges, airy chew, bright sauce, and toppings that feel both familiar and elevated. From classic Margheritas to creative seasonal specials, each pie is built to make your crowd stop mid-conversation.
The experience doesn’t stop at pizza. Their Basic Pizza Party package delivers four distinct pies, a crisp market salad, full setup and cleanup, plus a duo of skilled pizza cooks who keep the good vibes flowing. Want more? Level up with wood-fired jumbo pretzels, passed small bites, dessert boards, or a full bar package spotlighting local beers, wines, and ciders. It’s the kind of turn-key hospitality that lets you actually enjoy your own event, while your guests gush about “that incredible pizza truck” for months.
What sets Get Lost apart is that it’s run by people who genuinely love feeding people well. Chris and his team aren’t just dropping off food—they’re part of the party. Reviews rave about their kindness, their ability to adapt, and the way they make every event feel personal. It’s warmth you can taste. So whether you catch them at Hudson Valley Brewery before their November send-off, or book them to roll up and light the fire at your place, one thing’s for sure: Get Lost Pizza will have you finding your new favorite way to do pizza night.
At a Glance
📍 Hudson Valley Brewery residency
7 E Main St, Beacon, NY
Or
Book Your Mobil Pizza Party Now
Born in 2023 as a brewery pop-up, now a mobile sensation
Wood-fired pies blister to perfection in under two minutes
Available for weddings, parties, and private events
Seasonal specials and artisan toppings with bold flair
Run by Hudson Valley food scene pro Chris Crocco
Follow @getlostpizza
The Hudson Valley’s Reigning Grandma Pie Royalty
Montgomery, NY
Step into Cascarino’s Pizzeria and you’re not just walking into a local pizza joint—you’re stepping into a 25-year Montgomery legacy where family tradition, community love, and pure pizza mastery collide. With a combined 60 years of restaurant experience behind the counter, it’s no wonder they’ve snagged Best Pizza in the Hudson Valley four out of the last five years. The heartbeat of their menu? Grandma’s recipes, brought to life with fresh ingredients, premium-grade mozzarella, and a no-flop crust that’s so perfectly balanced between crispy and chewy, you’ll be thinking about it long after the last bite.
Here, the Grandma pie isn’t just a menu item—it’s a crown jewel. Each square slice boasts a crisp-yet-tender base, a vibrant tomato sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all afternoon, and a melt of mozzarella that drapes over the crust like silk. The flavor profile is straight comfort-food bliss, steeped in the kind of Sunday kitchen memories that only a true Italian family recipe can deliver. It’s pizza that feels like home, but better—because this home has six full-size pizza ovens, brand-new equipment, and a rotating slice showcase to keep things fresh and exciting every single day.
But Cascarino’s isn’t just a pizza powerhouse. Their stacked sandwiches—made with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses—are the kind of hearty, loaded creations that demand both hands and a napkin strategy. The house-made meatballs are pure magic: tender, savory, and swimming in rich marinara that clings to every bite. And for the party planners, they’ve got hot-and-cold catering down to a science, serving up everything from chicken parm trays to antipasto platters with the same level of care and quality you get in-house. Whether you’re grabbing a quick slice, settling in for a relaxed dinner, or feeding 200 guests, they’ve got you covered.
What really seals the deal at Cascarino’s is the warmth. The gracious, attentive staff treat you like you’ve been coming here for years—even if it’s your first visit. The vibe is relaxed but full of life, with the hum of regulars swapping stories at the counter and the tantalizing smell of fresh pizza wafting through the air. This isn’t just another stop on your pizza tour—it’s a destination. One visit, one Grandma pie, and you’ll understand why Cascarino’s has earned its place among the Hudson Valley’s elite pizza spots. Trust us: miss this one, and you’ll be kicking yourself until your next trip back.
At a Glance
📍 121 Hawkins Drive, Montgomery, NY
📞 (845) 457-1014
25 years of local pizza tradition in Montgomery
Award-winning Grandma pie with crispy, chewy perfection
Six ovens running daily to meet demand
Famous house-made meatballs and Boar’s Head sandwiches
A true Hudson Valley community landmark
Blu Pizza
Albany’s 48-Hour Dough Revolution
Albany, NY
Blu Pizza isn’t just a new addition to the Albany food scene—it’s a reinvention of what pizza can be in the Capital Region. Born inside the iconic City Beer Hall, Blu took over the old “free pint pizza” tradition and turned it into a craft-driven concept built on patience, skill, and pure love for dough. Led by pizzaiolo Zane Cacace, who trained in Milan before returning home, Blu brings serious Italian technique to every pie, starting with a biga preferment and a 48-hour cold fermentation that gives each crust its signature airy chew and leopard-spotted char. This isn’t fast food—it’s pizza engineered for flavor.
The pies strike a bold middle ground between Neapolitan and New York style, pulling the best traits of both: a crisp, blistered edge, a pillowy center, and just enough structure to fold without flopping. The namesake Blu Pie is a star—gorgonzola bringing that salty tang alongside seasonal toppings that keep each bite interesting. Weekly specials push the creativity even further, with combos like pear and arugula or focaccia-inspired crusts that make regulars race back before they sell out. Every detail is intentional, from the oven temp (a steady 650°F electric deck bake) to the balance of char and chew that keeps each slice dangerously addictive.
What makes Blu even more magnetic is the vibe. Set inside the sprawling, historic City Beer Hall, you’re not just getting pizza—you’re stepping into one of Albany’s best gathering spots. Grab a craft beer at the bar, find a table in the main hall, and watch as pies land in front of you still steaming from the oven. There’s an energy here that feels equal parts old-world tradition and downtown nightlife, a place where date nights, late-night hangs, and casual dinners all collide. And because they run on a “when the dough’s gone, it’s gone” basis, every night carries a little buzz of urgency—you know you’re in on something special.
Albany has plenty of places to grab a slice, but Blu Pizza has planted its flag as something entirely different: a pizza experience that respects craft, rewards curiosity, and delivers flavor that lingers long after the last bite. Come for the beer, stay for the Blu, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking their Instagram to see what wild creation hits the oven next. One visit, and you’ll get it—this is pizza the Capital Region didn’t even know it was missing.
At a Glance
📍 42 Howard St, Albany, NY
📞 (518) 449-2337
48-hour fermented dough crafted by Milan-trained pizzaiolo Zane Cacace
Leopard-spotted char, airy chew, and bold flavor in every slice
Located inside the historic City Beer Hall
Weekly specials keep the menu exciting
Pro tip: when the dough’s gone, the pizza’s gone
Follow them
Eastchester’s Italian Comfort Kitchen with a Bold Pulse
Eastchester, NY
Polpettina doesn’t just serve pizza—it reimagines the Italian neighborhood spot you thought you knew. Since opening in 2011, chef-owner Michael “Mike” Abruzese has transformed this once 15-seat hidden gem into a Westchester dining landmark, blending his years in local pizzerias, fine dining at Il Mulino, and even coal-oven pizza work in Texas into something that feels both deeply rooted and wildly creative. It’s Italian comfort, turned up to eleven.
The pizza menu alone could carry the place’s reputation. Crusts come out perfectly blistered from the oven—chewy yet crisp, with that wood-fired char that adds just the right amount of smoky depth. The Grandma pie hits with a bright, garlicky tomato sauce and a satisfying crunch, while more adventurous pies weave in toppings like fig, pancetta, goat cheese, and honey for a salty-sweet bite that makes your brain fire on all cylinders. Every pizza tastes like the kind you tell your friends about for weeks afterward.
But at Polpettina, pizza is just the gateway. The meatballs—offered in beef, pork, or chicken—are impossibly tender, bathed in sauce that feels like it’s been simmering all Sunday. The specials list is a playground for the curious, where sea-urchin miso butter pasta and honey-drizzled eggplant chips have made star appearances, keeping even longtime regulars guessing what’s next. And with a rotating mix of pastas, small plates, and salads, it’s the kind of menu where you find yourself ordering “just one more thing” purely out of curiosity.
The vibe matches the food: warm, rustic, and intimate without ever feeling precious. Reclaimed wood lines the walls, Edison bulbs glow above, and shelves display house-made sauces and pastas like edible trophies. It’s the sort of dining room where you sit down for a quick bite, end up ordering another bottle of wine, and stay until closing. Polpettina is the definition of a place that cooks for you like you’re family—but with the imagination and skill of a chef who loves pushing boundaries. Once you’ve been, you’ll start plotting your return before the check even lands on the table.
At a Glance
📍 102 Fisher Ave, Eastchester, NY
📞 (914) 961-0061
Neighborhood gem turned Westchester pizza destination
Wood-fired Grandma pie with cult following
Bold toppings: fig, pancetta, goat cheese, honey
Legendary tender meatballs in beef, pork, or chicken
Rustic, cozy vibe with adventurous specials
Follow @polpettinapizza
Detroit-Style Dreams in the Hudson Valley
Poughkeepsie, NY
When Hudson & Packard opened its doors in 2020, the Hudson Valley didn’t just get another pizza shop—it got a revolution in a square pan. Specializing in Detroit-style pizza, these caramelized-edge, cheesy, pillowy-centered beauties have catapulted Poughkeepsie into the national pizza conversation. And for good reason: each pie is a bold, golden-crusted masterpiece that balances comfort with pure culinary craft.
The signature move here is that corner bite: crackly, caramelized cheese hugging the edges of a soft, airy dough that’s been fermented to perfection. Toppings stretch from the tried-and-true Margherita to creative stunners like the “Hot Oil Grandma” or seasonal specials that weave in everything from local produce to smoky meats. What sets Hudson & Packard apart is how they treat each pie like a canvas—layers of flavor, textures that hit in waves, and combinations that make you rethink what pizza can be.
The atmosphere matches the food: laid-back and welcoming, with the kind of buzz you only get at places where locals and out-of-towners collide over something extraordinary. Sit down with a craft beer, tear into a bubbling pan of molten cheese and sauce, and you’ll see why people are willing to wait in line for a taste. It’s pizza with swagger, served with a side of Hudson Valley pride.
Hudson & Packard hasn’t just set the bar for Detroit-style in New York—they’ve set it for pizza, period. Once you’ve experienced that crispy-cheesy corner slice, regular pies just won’t cut it anymore.
At a Glance
📍 29 Academy St, Poughkeepsie, NY
📞 (845) 792-3190
Detroit-style pizza that redefined the Hudson Valley slice
Square pans with pillowy centers and bold toppings
Famous caramelized-cheese edges—the corner bite is king
Opened in 2020, quickly earning cult status
Seasonal pies keep fans lining up
Follow @hudsonandpackard
The truth is out—New York pizza is bigger than the city. From Albany to Poughkeepsie, Montgomery to Eastchester, these spots prove that tradition and innovation can coexist in one glorious bite. Whether you’re chasing the perfect Grandma slice, lining up for Detroit-style corners, or catching wood-fired magic on the fly, this guide is your ticket to the state’s most crave-worthy pies. Just one question remains: which one are you trying first?
Never Stop Exploring!
HVH Team!
