Stevie's Famous

A New Yorker arriving in Seattle should know two essential things. First, if a Google Maps destination is one mile away, that doesn’t mean a breezy 20-minute stroll on flat land. Second, for a great slice of pizza that will cure anything from a hangover to homesickness, we have Stevie’s Famous. This Burien slice shop from the folks behind Lupo makes some of the best New York-style pies in town. 

The bright red plastic booths, old-school arcade games, and walls covered in more stickers than a well-loved Nalgene make this place one laugh track away from being the pizzeria in a ‘90s sitcom. And while the space is casual, the pizza here is anything but. It all starts with the sourdough crust, which sharply crackles on the front end while giving way to a light and airy chew. 

photo credit: Nate Watters

photo credit: Nate Watters

photo credit: Nate Watters

photo credit: Nate Watters

photo credit: Nate Watters

There are a few ways to go here. Order a pie for takeout, or sit inside and snack on a cheese slice while some tweens try to beat the Ms. Pac-Man high score. Or, grab a white slice with crumbled fennel sausage and caramelized onion, which tastes even better dunked in herby ranch. If nothing else, make sure the Normie Macdonald hits your table. It’s the best of the bunch, topped with thinly sliced coppa, lots of hot honey, and dollops of cold burrata that rocket this already stunning slice to another level. 

The sides are worthy of their own standing ovation—salads have plump nectarines and pepper-speckled goat cheese, or sliced pear with funky gorgonzola and candied walnuts. Golden arancini crack open like clam shells to reveal pearls of soft cheesy rice. And then there’s the ice cream. It’s the only correct way to end a meal at Stevie’s, be it a single scoop of chunky pistachio or blood orange sorbet layered on top of vanilla custard.

With just a couple of booths and a handful of bar stools at the window, it's not exactly the best spot for a big group hang. But for a weeknight dinner for two or a quick sidewalk slice when passing through, there's no better destination in the South End to type into Google Maps.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Nate Watters

Normie Macdonald

The Normie Macdonald has it all: tangy red sauce, heavily marbled coppa, and a drizzle of hot honey. The best part is when cold burrata gets plopped right onto the warm slice, and the beautiful glob starts to melt like ice cream on a summer day. Always order an extra side of hot honey to drizzle onto each bite.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Arancini Balls

These golf ball-sized nuggets of cheesy risotto coated in crisp breadcrumbs and a feather-light dusting of parmesan cheese set the bar very high for fried snacks.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Sausage

We've seen our fair share of dainty white slices with summer squash blossoms and barely enough ricotta. This one is anything but dainty—it's loaded with candy-like caramelized onions, fennel sausage, and golden cheese bubbles that shine without any red sauce to overpower it all.

Seasonal Salad

When your heart is set on cheese and dough, it can be too easy to skip a salad. Don't do that here. After six slices, a forkful of lightly dressed radicchio and crunchy romaine hits the spot.