Cookeville, TN, may be a small city, but it offers some remarkable pizza experiences you won’t want to miss. In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 pizza places in Cookeville that will delight your taste buds and create unforgettable memories.
From a converted school bus with a unique pricing model to authentic New York style pizza out of an unsuspecting strip center, these pizza joints will leave you craving more!
5 of the Best Pizza in Cookeville, TN
Here are 5 of our favorites, if we missed any… be sure to leave them in the comments!
1. Big Tony’s Pizzeria
Big Tony’s Pizzeria is famous for its New York-style thin-crust pizza (pictured above), made with fresh ingredients and a wide array of toppings. Their specialty pies are crowd-pleasers, and the garlic knots and calzones are not to be missed. Head over to Big Tony’s for an authentic pizzeria experience in the heart of Cookeville.
Big Tony’s also has some terrific desserts like cannolis, cannoli chips, and a New York style cheesecake that is amazing. This is my personal favorite pizza place in Cookeville, but opinions vary.
2. The Pizza Machine
The Pizza Machine is not your ordinary pizza joint. This unique food truck, converted from a school bus, roams around Cookeville, making stops at popular locations like Red Silo Brewery.
The owner’s innovative “choose your own price” business model allows customers to decide what they think is a fair price for their pizza. With delicious pies and a fun, mobile setting, The Pizza Machine offers a one-of-a-kind pizza adventure you won’t find anywhere else.
Disclaimer: I’ve yet to try Pizza Machine myself, but my kids have and they tell me it’s very good. For that reason along with the thousands of fans this place has, I included it on the list.
The Pizza Machine has a loyal following, as the owner is somewhat of a philanthropist in the community, and slings great pies to boot.
3. World Foods
Though not a traditional pizzeria, World Foods offers a delightful twist on pizza with their globally-inspired toppings and unique flavors. Discover a world of taste as you explore their internationally-infused creations. It’s worth stopping by World Foods for a pizza experience that is different from the previous two on this list.
I would call World Foods a metropolitan-style pizza. If I remember correctly you can get pizzas with all types of interesting toppings that you can’t find at other places. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten here, but they also have some tasty desserts and sandwiches.
4. Manny’s Woodfire Pizza
Manny’s is new and has only been in town for about a year or less at the time of writing this. We’ve dined there twice, and the pizza and service was pretty good, but we weren’t blown away. We went pretty soon after they opened though. They’ve been in business for what seems like about a year at this point, Google reviews look pretty solid now. It may be time we visit again.
The owner of this establishment is, or was, also the owner of a popular local brewery. I’m not sure of the status of the brewery or if it is even open, but I believe the pizza place serves the same beer along with a variety of wines.
5. Mama Rosa’s
Mama Rosa’s is a local Italian eatery that’s been in Cookeville for a long time, I’d say over 20 years. They have very decent options here, and I would classify this as more of a family-friendly restaurant. I haven’t had their pizza in several years, but I remember them being very big, thin, and tasty.
I usually order the Stromboli from Mama Rosa’s, it’s just my go-to, but the pizza here is definitely not bad. Hence why it made this list.
Summary
Cookeville, TN, may be small, but it packs a flavorful punch when it comes to unique pizza experiences. These pizza places offer something for everyone, from authentic New York-style pies to innovative, globally-inspired metropolitan-style creations.
Make sure to visit Big Tony’s Pizzeria, The Pizza Machine, or World Foods for some pizza you won’t soon forget!