You don’t have to hop a red-eye to JFK or DTW to get authentic East Coast pizza; California has it right here. Amici’s takes the best of both worlds: New York-style thin crust and Detroit-style thick crust, and bakes them fresh in the Bay Area. Each pie comes from a brick oven, which means every slice carries that crave-worthy, crispy crust pizza texture you’d expect back East.
East Coast pizza isn’t just about food; it’s about tradition, history, and a certain attitude baked into every bite. At Amici’s, you don’t have to choose between one or the other. Whether you’re a fold-your-slice New Yorker at heart or a thick-and-cheesy Detroit devotee, you’ll find your perfect match.
Let’s take a delicious tour of two legendary styles and see how Amici’s is serving them in California.
What Makes East Coast Pizza So Iconic?
Pizza on the East Coast isn’t just a meal; it’s a lifestyle. It’s the corner slice shop in New York where you grab lunch on the go. It’s the square pan in Detroit where families gather around hearty, bubbling cheese. It’s the crispy crust pizza that makes people swear loyalty to one style or another.
Two classics stand tall:
New York style thin crust: Wide, foldable slices baked in a brick oven until crisp on the bottom and chewy in the middle. It’s the kind of pizza you can eat with one hand while navigating busy city streets.
Detroit Style thick crust: Square, pan-baked pies with caramelized edges, layered toppings, and an indulgent, cheesy bite. Each slice is a mini meal.
Together, these types capture two sides of East Coast pizza culture: fast and foldable, versus hearty and rich. Californians don’t have to choose, though, because Amici’s brings both to one table.
New York Style Thin Crust: The Classic You Can Fold
Nothing says East Coast pizza quite like a New York slice. At Amici’s, the secret is the brick-oven pizza method. Each pie is baked directly on the oven floor, where extreme heat transforms dough into a thin, crispy crust with just the right chew. The edges blister and darken, locking in flavor. Every bite has that unmistakable crunch that defines New York-style thin crust.
Amici’s New York pies begin with hand-tossed dough, fired in stone ovens at 700 degrees, replicating the authentic East Coast-style of cooking to achieve that delicate balance of crispness and chewiness.
The menu celebrates tradition while leaving room for creativity.
New York: The classic base, pure and simple.
New York Style Pepperoni Pie: A fan favorite, generously topped.
Margherita: Bright tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Boston: Topped with savory fried eggplant.
Philly: Peppers, onions, and sausage for a bold twist.
New Haven White Clam: Clams, garlic, and bacon. A coastal legend brought West.
With four sizes, Mini, Small, Medium, and Large, there’s flexibility whether you’re dining solo or feeding a group.
If you’re a crust lover, New York-style thin crust from Amici’s is like finding your soulmate, crispy at first bite, chewy enough to fold, and packed with flavor.
Detroit Style Thick Crust: The Pan Pizza With Edge
Where New York keeps things sleek, Detroit goes all in. Detroit-style pizza is baked in rectangular pans, creating slices that are crispy on the outside and pillowy inside. Cheese is pushed right to the edges, where it caramelizes into golden perfection. Toppings get layered under and over the cheese, creating a decadent, hearty bite in every square.
Amici’s Detroit menu is bold and satisfying:
Three Cheese Red Top: A vegetarian favorite, finished with a swirl of red sauce.
Pepperoni Pie: Crispy, cheesy edges topped with classic pepperoni.
SMOG: Sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, loaded in layers.
Motown Meat Lovers: Every meat you could want, baked Detroit Style.
Firehouse Special: Meat, jalapeños, and a drizzle of sauce for those who like heat.
This is pizza with personality; crispy crust pizza that’s unapologetically thick, cheesy, and full of flavor. It’s East Coast pizza meeting Detroit tradition, baked fresh in California.
Brick-Oven Pizza: The Flavor Secret
So what makes both New York and Detroit pies at Amici’s taste so authentic? The brick oven. High heat means pizzas cook fast, locking in flavor while creating a crust that’s crisp yet tender. The oven adds a subtle smoky depth you can’t replicate in a standard setup.
Brick-oven pizza is how it’s been done in Italy for centuries, and Amici’s carries that tradition into every East Coast pie. It’s the secret behind the crispy crust pizza that keeps guests coming back, slice after slice.
Pizza Personalities: Which Style Matches You?
Think of East Coast pizza styles as personalities. Which one are you?
New York Style thin crust: Perfect for on-the-go eaters, classic lovers, and anyone who appreciates the art of folding a slice.
Detroit Style thick crust: Made for comfort food fans, people who love to share, and those who want every bite to feel hearty and indulgent.
The best part about Amici’s menu at Danville, Mountain View, and other locations is its versatility. Whether you’re a vegetarian, a seafood enthusiast, or a meat lover, there’s a pie that fits your taste. Some days you’re in a New York mood, other days you’re in a Detroit mood, and Amici’s lets you enjoy both.
East Coast Pizza, West Coast Vibe
Amici’s is proof that you don’t need to leave California to experience the best of East Coast pizza. Under one roof, you’ll find the crispy foldable joy of New York-style thin crust and the indulgent, cheesy comfort of Detroit-style thick crust. Both come alive through the power of brick-oven pizza, where every slice is crisp, flavorful, and unforgettable.
From clam pies to loaded pan-baked creations, Amici’s offers a menu that celebrates tradition while serving it West Coast fresh.
Next time you’re craving East Coast pizza in California, skip the flight and stop by Amici’s. The crust, the cheese, the flavor, it’s all here waiting for you.