Right now, this is the best pizza in Milwaukee. I say right now because I have my pizza ideal in my head, and I am always comparing new places to my perfect pizza, and i have not tried all the pizza joints in Milwaukee yet (The perfect pizza can be found in the Minniaplis skyway of all places, with a close second in Amsterdam, pick any pie by the slice along the main drag).

Balistreris pizza is very much a Milwaukee style pizza - thin, crispy crust cut into squares - however it builds on that just enough to make it stand out. The crust is thin and crispy but it is just a little thicker than normal so that you don't get the crust bubbling out. Balistreri's uses a bit more cheese than most Milwaukee style pizza joints, making for a greasier, softer pizza. The sauce is great, tangy with a lot of oregano, the sauce does not hide at Balistreris. There is not so much it makes the pizza wet, but you definitely can taste the sauce.

We traditionally start with Balistreri's cheese bread, then order pizza. The pizzas are very big, I have never eaten the whole thing and no one is very hungry.

There are two Balistreris restaurants in Milwaukee, one on 68th street and one right around the corner on Bluemound Rd and 65th. The one we always go to is the one on Bluemound Rd. The dining is semi-formal, the place is quite and dark, an old style Milwaukee restaurant. There is a bar in the center which can get a bit loud, but most of the seating is removed from the bar area. The service is always great and the place is very comfortable.

http://www.balistreris.com
Balistreri's Italian Restaurant
65th and Bluemound
Milwaukee, WI
4 of 5 stars