If you’ve never had a Detroit-style pizza, prepare for your life to be divided into two eras: Before Crispy-Edge Squares and After.
This isn’t your average slice. Forget the foldable New York wedge or the deep, saucy Chicago pie. Detroit style is its own glorious category. Think thick, airy crust that’s light on the inside but perfectly crispy on the outside. Imagine cheese melting to the edges, caramelizing against the pan, and forming a crunchy halo. Then picture bold, tangy tomato sauce ladled right on top, cutting through the richness like a pro.
The good news? You don’t have to book a flight to Michigan to get your hands on the real deal. Right here in the Bay Area, Amici’s is serving up original Detroit-style pizza in Oakland and San Jose, and locals can’t get enough.
What Exactly Is Detroit Style Pizza?
Detroit-style pizza was born in the Motor City in the 1940s, baked in blue steel pans originally used for holding auto parts. The result? A rectangular pie with a golden, fried-cheese edge, topped with Wisconsin brick cheese and finished with ladles of rich tomato sauce.
Unlike a thin New York slice that bends under its weight or a Chicago deep dish, you eat with a fork; Detroit style hits the sweet spot between airy and substantial. The crust is light yet sturdy, the cheese forms a crunchy wall around the edges, and every bite delivers the perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio.
It’s bold, unapologetic, and addictive, which might explain why it’s been spreading across the country and winning over Bay Area pizza lovers. And yes, the corner pieces are absolutely worth fighting over.
Why the Bay Area Is Falling for Detroit Style
The Bay Area has always had a soft spot for unique, high-quality food, and Detroit-style pizza checks all the boxes. It’s a little indulgent, a lot of fun, and endlessly adaptable to seasonal ingredients. The thick crust holds up to creative toppings, from heirloom tomatoes to locally made sausage, and that caramelized edge is basically a love letter to cheese lovers.
It’s also a perfect fit for our food culture, mixing tradition with innovation. You get the original, Midwest-born style, but made with California’s unbeatable fresh produce and dairy. That’s exactly what Amici’s delivers.
Amici’s: Your Detroit-Style Destination
Amici’s has always been known for quality, from its East Coast-style thin crust to its fresh, local ingredients. But in recent years, we’ve mastered Detroit-style, and the results are enough to make even the most devoted round-pizza purists reconsider their loyalties.
At the Oakland and San Jose locations, Detroit-style pizzas arrive at your door as a golden rectangle of cheesy perfection. Each pie is baked in a seasoned steel pan to get those signature crispy edges. The sauce, bright, tangy, and perfectly spiced, is spooned over the top in racing stripes, just like in Detroit. And the toppings? Generous without overwhelming the crust.
It’s the kind of pizza you plan your week around.
The Pies You Can’t Miss
If it’s your first time, you can’t go wrong with the Pepperoni Pie. The pepperoni slices curl into little cups during baking, holding tiny pools of oil that give each bite an extra punch of flavor. The cheese melts right up to the pan, creating an edge so good you might argue over the corner pieces.
For veggie lovers, the Veggie is loaded with seasonal produce like roasted red bell peppers, caramelized onions, and mushrooms, layered in a way that keeps every bite balanced. The crust soaks up just enough flavor from the toppings without getting soggy.
If you’re in the mood for something with a kick, try the BBQ Chicken. Tender chunks of chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, red onions, and cilantro bring a smoky-sweet heat that plays beautifully with the fluffy crust.
Amici’s also rolls out seasonal specials that give the Detroit-style a Bay Area twist. Try the pizzas made with the freshest Bay Area ingredients you won’t find anywhere else. Check our specials page so you don’t miss the limited-time offers.
The Amici’s Experience: More Than Just Pizza
Part of what makes Amici’s special is that it’s not just about the food; it’s about the whole experience, even when you’re enjoying it at home. The Oakland and San Jose ghost kitchen locations focus entirely on what they do best: making fresh, authentic East Coast-style pizzas for takeout and delivery. Whether you’re planning a casual night in with friends, a cozy date at home, or a family movie marathon, Amici’s brings the flavors to you: hot, fresh, and ready to enjoy.
How to Eat Detroit Style Like a Pro
Detroit-style pizza is all about savoring the contrast in textures, so here's a strategy:
Start with a corner piece for the ultimate crispy-cheese edge.
Eat slowly enough to feel the airy middle and crunch of the crust.
Pair it with something refreshing (i.e., a cool drink or a light salad) to balance the richness.
If you’re with friends, change it up and order 2 different pizzas so you can sample different tastes.
Bonus Tip: Order an extra to reheat the next day; it’s almost better.
Why 2025 Is the Year to Try It
Detroit-style pizza has been making waves nationwide, and 2025 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet in the Bay Area. Food bloggers are calling it the “must-try” pizza style, and social media is full of drool-worthy cheese-pull videos.
At Amici’s, we’re taking it up a notch this year with more creative topping combinations, new Detroit-style crusts, and limited-time specials inspired by local farmers’ markets. It’s the perfect moment to jump on board, before your friends start bragging about how they “discovered it first.” Consider yourself officially in on the secret.
Your Next Pizza Crush Is Here
Thick yet airy crust, caramelized cheese edges, bold toppings, and tangy sauce; it’s everything you love about pizza, in a shape and style you might not have tried before. And while you could hunt all over for a good Detroit-style pie, the truth is you only need to remember two spots: Amici’s in Oakland and Amici’s in San Jose.
Whether you’re a Bay Area local or visiting from across the bridge after a day at Pier 39, these crispy-edge squares are worth the trip. Just be warned, you may never look at round pizza the same way again.