I've lived in Toronto and the GTA for most of my life, and like any proper Torontonian, I like to pick up a slice of pizza every now and again.
From fancy pies to unique options, Toronto has some of the best pizzas, but sometimes all you really want or have time for is to grab a slice of pizza from one of the chain restaurants that are seemingly on every main intersection.
To figure out which fast-food chain has the best slice you can get as a takeout option, I taste-tested slices of cheese pie from around my apartment in the west end of Toronto as well as around my parent's house in the east end of the GTA.
For the test, I got slices from Little Caesar's, Pizzaiolo, Pizza Nova, Gino's Pizza and Pizza Pizza. I wanted to include options like Domino's and Papa John's, but alas, they don't offer takeout individual slices.
This Opinion article is part of a Narcity content series. The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
For the test itself, I ate a few bites of the slice when it was handed to me, and then I put them all in my fridge to try them again the next morning when they were cold because I do love a slice of cold pizza when I'm hungover.
I rated each slice out of five in term of how much I enjoyed it, and while some were definitely better than others, I'd 100% eat them all again if I was hungry and one of the restaurants I didn't prefer as much was closest to me.
Pizza Nova
A hand holding a cardboard box with a slice of cheese pizza.
Sarah Rohoman | Narcity
I haven't had Pizza Nova in years so I was interested in seeing what this slice was about, but alas, it was the worst slice of the day.
The bottom had a slight char, which I usually enjoy, but I found the slice overall to be lacking in flavour, so the char sort of took over the taste instead of complementing what should be the sweetness of the marina and the richness of the cheese.
There was also a sour flavour that I couldn't really understand, and while I'm all for unique elements to pies, this one overall just felt unbalanced.
Rating: 1/5
Price: $5.10
Ginos
A slice of cheese pizza on a paper plate.
Sarah Rohoman | Narcity
Similar to Pizza Nova, I also hadn't had Gino's in years, but I used to have it when I was a kid since it was close to my elementary school in Pickering.
After my disappointment with Pizza Nova, I braced myself in case I was let down with Gino's, but it actually turned out to be my favourite of the day.
This slice has so much more flavour than anything else I tried; the sauce was rich, herby and deliciously garlicky, the cheese was plentiful and had just the right amount of greasiness, and the dough was crispy but had a nice chewy crust.
After my first bite, I said "yum" out loud to myself while alone in my car, and I'm not the kind to usually talk to myself.
This was also the most delicious slice to eat cold which I appreciate because if you pick up a slice when you're drunk on a Friday night, you're going to want to eat your leftovers on Saturday morning, so it's a win-win in my books.
It's also the second cheapest of the slices I tried, so you're also getting a pretty good deal — after all, with the price of food these days, $4.00 isn't a bad deal for a filling slice.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $4
Pizzaiolo
A slice of cheese pizza on a paper plate.
Sarah Rohoman | Narcity
Pizzaiolo is one of those chains that seems to be everywhere in Toronto, but there don't seem to be as many locations in the GTA, so I was interested to see if it felt fancier in any way in comparison to the others.
The options on their menu are certainly fun with ingredients like truffle oil, gorgonzola cheese and marinated zucchini, so it definitely feels elevated, and my slice of cheese turned out to be the most aesthetically pleasing slice of the day with its variation in colour and a crunchy-looking crust.
My first bite had a good amount of crunch and a pleasant sauce-to-cheese ratio, making for a pretty perfect combination in my mouth.
I really enjoyed the flavour of the sauce and the slight char of the dough, but I'd say the cheese is a teeny tiny bit of a letdown given that it's supposed to be the star of this pie as it tastes somewhat plastic-y.
I've had other pies from Pizzaiolo and never noticed this issue, likely because I get it with pepperoni and other strong flavours, but for a cheese slice it's a detractor.
That being said, it's still damn delicious, and I'm truly into this chain in general.
Rating: 4/5
Price: $5.99
Pizza Pizza
A hand holding a slice of cheese pizza.
Sarah Rohoman | Narcity
For most of my teenage years, my parents would order a pizza from Pizza Pizza for lunch on Sunday's so I'm familiar with this pie — but I don't necessarily like it.
There's a pretty good crunch in the dough and there's a nice amount of sauce, but it kind of feels like this pizza has been ironed flat and had the life sucked out of it. As well, there's no colour or taste in the crust, so it's not enjoyable to munch on and would definitely need a dipping sauce to make it worth eating.
In terms of eating it cold the next day, this slice is almost inedible and didn't fare any better after I microwaved it. You either eat this slice hot from the store or throw it out.
That being said, this is the cheapest slice on the list, so if cost is a factor, this is the one you might want to grab — just eat it quickly!
Rating: 1.5/5
Price: $3.94
Little Caesars
A hand holding a cardboard box of square cheese pizza slices.
Sarah Rohoman | Narcity
I enjoyed this pizza from Little Caesar's, but the experience of getting my meal irked me.
Instead of selling single slices, the chain sells a lunch combo which is four deep-dish square slices and a bottled drink, so it kind of feels like you're getting roped into buying more than perhaps you were intending to.
When I was paying, the point of sale terminal made me leave a tip, starting at 15% — it didn't give me the option to not tip, which I found annoying as whether or not you give a gratuity at a fast food establishment should be at the buyer's discretion, in my opinion.
That being said, this pizza is pretty good, but it is different than the typical slice you get. It is much, much thicker and breadlike, which isn't necessarily for everyone. It kind of feels like the pizza you get during a lunch special at elementary school in that it gets the job done and no one's going to complain, but it's not the best slice you can grab.
Rating: 3.5/5
Price: $9.73 (with 15% tip)
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
This article has been updated since its original publication date of November 3, 2023.
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