Zaffiro's Pizza The Original

The Zaffiro family, who are Sicilian immigrants, started making pizzas in the early '50s, and their ultra-thin crust pies have become a quintessential Milwaukee treat. There’s no reason to stray from the most popular topping combination around these parts: the sausage, mushroom, and onion. While every local pizza place offers this combo, Zaffiro's doesn't have to have invented this wheel to have perfected it.

Milwaukee does in fact have its own style of pizza—the round-shaped pie is cut into rectangles, has a cracker-thin, crisp, and light crust. The best versions come from this family-owned pizzeria that’s been in business since 1954, when two brothers named Bobby and John opened its doors. Their father emigrated from Sicily, and the same recipe for dough and sauce is still used today.

Maybe Milwaukee isn't best known for its pizza, but that doesn't mean we can't make a mean pie. Zaffiro's was founded in 1954 by two brothers with Sicilian heritage. Today it remains in the same spot, run by the same family (sadly the Zaffiro brothers have both passed), serving up the same excellent quality pizzas.

The tour includes stops at Zaffiro’s on Farwell, for the thinnest pizza in the city, as well as two other iconic symbols of the Italian culture on Brady Street – Peter Sciortino’s Bakery and Glorioso’s Italian Market. Highlights include historical buildings, background on Polish and Italian immigrants settling here and the industrial developments that drew them to the Brady Street area. It reviews the significance of the Milwaukee River, Beerline Railroad, tanneries and meat packing industries that provided employment and opportunities for immigrants.

Since 1954 Zaffiro’s Pizza & Bar has been serving some of the best pizza in Milwaukee out of a pretty small restaurant just off Brady Street on the city’s east side. Since then, Zaffiro’s has established a partnership with area movie theaters, so now their pizza can be enjoyed in the surrounding suburbs as well. However, some locals still think the best pizza is to be found in the original location, plus the east side location is cozy and has a particular charm that can’t be found at the other locations, though parking is certainly more difficult.

When I was a kid, my aunt and uncle would take my cousins and me to this East Side beacon. We’d sit at the bar or in the dining room, with other families piled into tables topped with red checkered tablecloths. This is the granddaddy of Milwaukee-style pizza – round and “tavern-cut” into squares, the crust wafer-thin and cracker-crisp, the thick, not-too-sweet sauce bubbling over the end crust, and just the perfect amount of toppings.

Pizza is just one of the many options that Zaffiro’s has on its extensive menu. This classic Italian restaurant also serves delicious seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Although you won’t find any strange topping combinations like other modern Milwaukee pizza joints, Zaffiro’s pizza is still considered the best pizza in Milwaukee by locals.

Zaffiro's Pizza isn't technically on Brady, but it's delicious enough and near enough that it deserves a spot on this list. We wouldn't blame you for struggling to make a decision — the huge menu of pizzas, salads, pasta, and sandwiches is intimidating. Forget calories and order a few options…then indulge in spumoni or tiramisu for dessert.

Why it made the list: Zaffiro’s is one of Milwaukee’s been-there-forever joints that you cannot pass up. Not to mention, not many Milwaukee pizzerias have mastered the cracker thin-crust quite like Zaffaro’s. This pizza joint has the coziness of a dive-bar but the quality of a 5-star (well, maybe 4-star) restaurant.

Zaffiro’s is located in Mequon and is a pizzeria and bar that has been open since 1954. The restaurant’s pizzas feature a thin, crispy crust that is ladled with a secret sauce and layered with fresh toppings. Along with pizzas, Zaffro’s offers sandwiches, salads, entrees, appetizers, signature burgers, and desserts.

$$ - $12-$24, Accepts Credit Cards, Curbside Pickup, Dining Place, East Side, Fish Fry, In-House Delivery, Pizza, Sandwiches, Spring 2020 Milwaukee Takeout Restaurants, Takeout. Carryout, curbside pick-up and in-house delivery Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Known for crispy thin-crust pizzas, Zaffiro’s has maintained the charm of a classic Italian eatery since it was founded in 1954. With a wine list featuring options straight out of Italy, you’ll definitely want to give this classic Milwaukee restaurant a try.

If you’re looking for a classic Milwaukee-style pizza, Zaffiro’s is the place to go. Their pizza has been a local favorite for over 60 years, and it’s easy to see why. Their crust is crispy and thin, and their sauce and cheese are perfectly balanced.

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (165 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1724 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202-1806- Read more on Tripadvisor

She also “wanted to show visitors the great places to visit such as Zaffiro’s, Glorioso’s Deli and Peter Sciortino’s Bakery.

I also enjoy the pizza from Zaffiros on the east end of Brady Street, as well as Balistreris, on 68th Street.