Our go-to Oviedo pizza, ranked by a tired parent
A semi-scientific ranking of local pizza joints, from the perspective of someone who just wants to feed her kids without losing her mind.
Let me set the scene: it's 6:30 PM on a Tuesday. I've been at work all day, my husband is stuck in traffic on 417, and my two kids are circling me like hungry sharks. The only thing standing between us and a total meltdown is pizza. But not just any pizza—I need it fast, I need it good, and I need it to not cost a fortune. Over the past year, we've systematically sampled every pizza joint within a 5-mile radius of our house near the Oviedo Mall. Here's the ranking, from a very tired mom who just wants to get through dinner.
6. Tony's Pizza (Oviedo location)
I wanted to love Tony's. I really did. Their New York-style slices look legit, and the guy behind the counter is always nice. But both times we ordered, the crust was soggy in the middle and the cheese slid off in one greasy sheet. My kids called it 'slime pizza.' They're not wrong.
Maybe it's a fluke, but I can't risk another Tuesday. Also, their delivery took over an hour once, which is an eternity when your toddler is whining for 'pizza pie.' Hard pass for now.
5. Mellow Mushroom (Waterford Lakes, but they deliver to us)
Mellow Mushroom is fine. Their crust is good, they have fun toppings, and they deliver to our hood. But it's expensive for what it is, and the wait times can be loooong. Their app says 45 minutes but it's always more like an hour and ten.
Also, their salads are overpriced and come in those little plastic containers that always leak. If I'm paying $8 for a side salad, it better be in a bowl that doesn't dribble ranch all over my counter.
At a glance: Oviedo pizza joints
| Pizza Place | Cost for 2 pizzas + salad | Wait time (takeout) | Crust style | Kid-friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony's Pizza | ~$30 | 30-40 min | New York thin | Okay, but soggy |
| Mellow Mushroom | ~$40 | 45-60 min | Thick & chewy | Good, but pricey |
| Hungry Howie's | ~$25 | 20-30 min | Flavored crust | Yes, cheap |
| Blaze Pizza | ~$40 | 5-10 min | Thin & crispy | Fun, build-your-own |
| Giordano's | ~$45 | 45 min | Deep dish | Messy but tasty |
| Brooklyn Water Bagel | ~$28 | 15-20 min | Bagel dough | Very, plus good salad |
4. Hungry Howie's (Oviedo)
Hungry Howie's is the pizza of my college years. It's cheap, the flavored crusts are a novelty, and they have a good lunch special. But as a dinner option for the family? It's mid. The cheese tastes processed, and the sauce is sweet in a way that feels artificial.
That said, it's reliable. If I'm in a bind and need something delivered in 30 minutes, Howie's shows up. Their website is easy to use, and they have coupons. So it's a solid backup, but not a first choice.
3. Blaze Pizza (Oviedo on 417)
Blaze is great for a fun dinner. The kids love watching them build the pizza, and I love that I can get a gluten-free crust for myself. The ingredients are fresh-ish, and it's fast—like 5 minutes from order to pizza in hand.
But it's not traditional pizza. It's more like a flatbread, and sometimes the crust is too thin and crispy. Also, by the time we all get a pizza and a drink, it's easily $40+. That's a lot for what amounts to a glorified lunch.
2. Giordano's (Oviedo on Alafaya)
Giordano's is the heavy hitter. Their deep dish is a meal and a half—the leftovers last for days. The crust is buttery and flaky, and the sauce is rich. It's a treat.
But it's not an everyday pizza. It takes 45 minutes to bake, and it's messy. My youngest always ends up with sauce in her hair. And it's pricey. We save it for weekends or when my in-laws visit and offer to pay.
1. Brooklyn Water Bagel (surprise!)
I know, I know—it's a bagel place. But hear me out. Brooklyn Water Bagel on Alafaya makes a pizza that is, hands down, our family's favorite. They use their bagel dough as the crust, so it's chewy and dense and perfect. The sauce is tangy, the cheese is real mozzarella (not the fake stuff), and they load on the pepperoni.
We order a large pepperoni and a side salad (their salads are actually good—fresh greens, not iceberg), and it's under $30. The kicker? It's ready in 15 minutes. I call it in on my way home from work, and by the time I get there, it's hot and waiting. No delivery hassle, no late nights. It's our go-to, and I don't see that changing.
Find it on YouTube → “Oviedo Florida pizza review”
Questions folks ask me
Does any place in Oviedo deliver after 9 PM?
Hungry Howie's delivers until 10 PM most nights, and Domino's is open late too. But for local joints, you're better off picking up before 9.
Are there any gluten-free options besides Blaze?
Giordano's has a gluten-free crust, but it's not celiac-friendly (shared kitchen). Mellow Mushroom also has GF crust, but again, cross-contamination risk.
What about places on the Oviedo Mall side of town?
Tony's is on Mitchell Hammock, and there's a Pizza Hut near the mall. Honestly, our list covers the main players within a couple miles of downtown Oviedo.
Best pizza for a party?
Giordano's is great for a crowd if you order ahead. Their deep dish feeds a lot. For a cheaper option, Hungry Howie's does party trays.
Is there a place that does a good Sicilian or square pizza?
Not really. Most places are round. Brooklyn Water Bagel's pizza is round, but the crust is so thick it's almost like a Sicilian. Worth trying.
So there you have it—our tired-parent ranking of Oviedo pizza. It's not scientific, and your mileage may vary (especially if you have pickier eaters than mine). But if you're in a bind and need a solid slice that won't break the bank or your sanity, give Brooklyn Water Bagel a shot. They also have great bagels, by the way. And coffee. But that's a blog post for another day. For now, I've got leftover pizza calling my name. Until next time, Oviedo—stay full.
More from the Oviedo blog
- Where to Actually See the Oviedo Chickens (and the Unwritten Rules)
- My honest newcomer's guide to moving to Oviedo, FL
- My Oviedo on the Park Survival Guide: Parking, Events, and the Best Benches
- Why I keep going back to Black Hammock (and why you should too)
- Oviedo vs Winter Springs: where we almost bought, and why we chose Oviedo
- The family-friendly restaurants we keep going back to in Oviedo