Sesame seeds on a pizza crust sounded like a bagel’s job to me. Then I discovered a New Mexico pizza shop that puts them on its crust on purpose.
That was only the first surprise. One pizza counter shares its building with an arcade near a historic Plaza.
Another works out of an adobe house on a historic trail. A desert parlor keeps quarter arcade games close to the pizza.
I like the idea of pizza places that skip the fancy stuff. Give me a hot oven, real dough, and cheese that bubbles into golden spots.
I’m all for paper plates if the crust crackles when you fold it.
And yes, green chile shows up on more than a few of these pies. I can’t imagine a better local twist.
The hardest part is deciding which counter gets your order first.
1. Forrest’s Pizza
Silver City’s historic Bullard Street hides a serious slice of New York. Forrest’s Pizza brings thin-crust pies to a small mountain town with style.
This is a takeaway-focused shop, so don’t expect a fancy dining room. You order, the pizza comes out hot, and you’re off.
Outdoor seating gives you a place to eat if you can’t wait. Honestly, who could, with a fresh pie in your hands?
The crust hits that sweet spot between chewy and crispy. It’s thin, sturdy, and baked until golden at the edges.
Bright tomato flavor gives the sauce a fresh kick. Savory pepperoni and creamy ricotta make a great pairing on top.
Sauce and cheese are used in just the right amounts. Nothing slides off the slice when you fold it, New York style.
The staff keep things moving fast. That makes it a handy pit stop during a day of wandering the downtown shops.
There’s no table service, so plan to grab your own food at the counter. Delivery isn’t offered either.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday. Sundays and Mondays are off, so time your craving carefully.
Friday evenings bring the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings and some weeknights tend to be the calmest times to swing by.
Kids are welcome, and parking is usually easy to find. Free spots in the lot and on the street help a lot here.
For a town tucked into southwest New Mexico, this is real big-city pizza. And it comes without the big-city hassle.
Address: 601 N Bullard St J, Silver City, NM 88061
2. Bruno’s Pizza & Wings
Nine wing flavors and a pizza covered in jalapeno popper goodness? Raton has a downtown spot that clearly loves big flavor.
The family and locally run diner has been open since 2015. It’s younger than some on this list, but the handmade approach feels classic.
Crust is made in house, and so are the salad dressings. That scratch-made care shows up in a crispy, hand-tossed base.
Toppings land in generous amounts. Expect plenty of cheese, a good layer of sauce, and fresh meat on top.
The Jalapeno Popper Pizza is one of the stars. It’s a playful twist for anyone who likes a little kick with their cheese.
A Mediterranean pizza is another favorite worth trying. It offers a nice change of pace from the usual pepperoni lineup.
Wings come in nine flavors, so picking just one might take a while. Pepperoni rolls and a side of marinara make a fun starter too.
Not in a pizza mood? A calzone or meatball sandwich will fill you up just fine.
Fried pickles and mozzarella sticks round out the snack list. A spinach salad helps you feel a bit virtuous about the rest.
The space has a fireplace, which is a treat on a chilly northern New Mexico night. It’s also a decent place to catch a game on TV.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. Table service keeps things easy when you’re wrangling a group.
Plan around the schedule, since the doors stay closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday, the ovens are fired up.
Address: 133 Cook Ave, Raton, NM 87740
3. Giovanni’s Pizzeria
Red-checked tablecloths tell you right away what kind of meal you’re in for. This Albuquerque spot keeps things simple and lets the pizza do the talking.
The look is classic and no-frills, with counter service and a casual dining room. You order, you grab a seat, and you wait for something hot.
New York-style pies lead the menu, with Neapolitan pizzas, calzones, and a few Italian entrees backing them up. The crust bakes up crispy, with a solid balance of cheese and marinara on top.
Craving a little New Mexico flavor? The Green Chile Pepperoni Pizza brings that famous local chile onto a classic slice.
An 18-inch pepperoni pie is on the menu for bigger appetites or bigger groups. Plain cheese fans can stick with the NY Pizza and call it a great day.
Don’t skip the starters, either. Cheese bread and chicken rolls make strong cases for themselves before the main event lands.
Save room for a cannoli at the end. A crunchy shell and sweet filling is a fine way to close out a pizza night.
Planning helps here, since the doors stay closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday works, with later hours on Friday and Saturday.
Weekend evenings tend to get the busiest, so a weekday lunch can be a calmer choice. Reservations aren’t taken, which keeps things easygoing and first come, first served.
Takeout is an option, but delivery isn’t. Free Wi-Fi is available if you’re eating solo and want to scroll between bites.
Families can settle right in, with high chairs on hand for little ones. Parking is free, and the lot usually has plenty of room.
Sometimes the best pizza place is the one that never chased trends. Here, a hot pie and a checked tablecloth are still the whole plan, and that plan works.
Address: 921 San Pedro Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
4. Pizza Mill & Sub Factory (Alamogordo)
Quarters, thin crust, and retro decor make a pretty great trio. This Alamogordo pizza shop feels like a trip back through several decades at once.
Vintage items from across the years fill the space. It’s the kind of room where your eyes keep wandering while you wait for food.
Thin-crust pizza is the star here. The balance of sauce and cheese sits right where it should, and that sauce tastes like classic pizza sauce.
The edges bake up golden and crispy. Meanwhile, the cheese bubbles on top, just the way an old-school pie should look.
Want something loaded? The Macho is one of the menu highlights for big appetites.
Sides pull their weight too. Jalapeno poppers, fried cheese sticks, and waffle fries make it easy to build a full feast.
Subs are part of the name for a reason. If someone in your group isn’t feeling pizza, a sandwich has them covered.
After dinner, retro arcade games take quarters nearby. Evening visits are a fun time to pair a pie with a few rounds.
The shop is locally owned, which gives it a hometown feel. A braille menu is also available, a thoughtful touch you don’t see everywhere.
Kids get their own menu, plus high chairs for the little ones. It’s an easy pick for a family night out in southern New Mexico.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with the doors closed Sunday and Monday. Friday stays open the latest.
Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds. Weekday afternoons tend to be quieter if you’d rather skip the rush.
Address: 1315 E 10th St, Alamogordo, NM 88310
5. JC’s New York Pizza Department
Pizza and arcade games under one roof sound like a kid’s dream birthday plan. On the historic Plaza in Las Vegas, New Mexico, that dream is real.
Vintage arcade games share space with the pizza ovens. You could easily spend a whole evening here without leaving.
The pizza itself is New York-style. The crust is crispy with a nice crunch, and it holds up under the toppings.
Sauce brings plenty of savory tomato flavor. The cheese is chewy and stretchy, just how a classic slice should be.
Toppings show up fresh and generously piled on. Nobody wants a skimpy slice after a round of arcade games.
Look for the 18-inch Central Park pie if you’re feeding a crowd. Big pies make sense when your group is ready to share.
The menu also covers a full vegetarian lineup. Desserts are available for anyone with room left over.
Planning a party? Reservations are accepted, and the place is popular for kids’ birthdays.
Families get high chairs and changing tables, which parents will appreciate. Groups of all sizes fit right in.
Hours run daily from 11 AM, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday. Weekend afternoons and evenings get the busiest.
Takeout is available if you want a quiet night in. Outdoor seating works when the weather plays nice, and dogs are welcome outside.
Parking is free and usually plentiful. That leaves more quarters for the arcade and more appetite for one more slice.
Address: 209 Plaza St, Las Vegas, NM 87701
6. Taos Pizza Out Back
Sesame seeds on the crust? Yep, and it’s the signature that makes this Taos favorite stand apart from the usual pizza crowd.
The pies come out with generous toppings and a crust folded over at the edge. Those sesame seeds add a toasty crunch you won’t forget fast.
The restaurant sits behind an old adobe building and has a laid-back, hippie feel. It fits right in with the creative, mountain-town spirit Taos is known for.
Out back, there’s patio seating, and dogs are welcome. Bring your four-legged friend along for a slice of the scenery.
The menu goes well beyond pepperoni. The White Pizza and Greek Pizza both make tasty meat-free picks.
Like it spicy? A gluten-free Pizza Diablo is on offer, which is good news for anyone skipping wheat.
Chicken Alfredo Pizza swaps red sauce for something creamy. The Pizza Vera Cruz brings another bold option to the table.
Vegan options are available here, too. Vegetarians get plenty of choices as well.
Servings run big, so sharing is a smart plan. A soup and house salad combo can also balance out a heavy pizza order.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. Larger groups can look into the private dining room for parties.
Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, the kitchen stays busy most evenings. Mornings run quieter if you want a calmer lunch.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up hungry. Live music sometimes adds a soundtrack to your meal.
Free parking is usually easy to find nearby. That leaves you more energy for the important stuff, like choosing a second pie.
Address: 712 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
7. Upper Crust Pizza Downtown
Pizza served out of an old adobe house is about as Santa Fe as dinner gets. Add a sunny patio, and you’ve got a lunch break worth bragging about.
The building sits on Old Santa Fe Trail, one of the most storied streets in town. Inside, the setting feels historic and relaxed rather than stiff or fussy.
Your first decision is simple: indoors or out? Outdoor seating lets you soak up the downtown air, and dogs are welcome outside too.
On the menu, the New Mex Pizza is the local move. It brings a fun mix of chile flavor without blasting your taste buds with heat.
Prefer the classics? The Margarita, the Combo Pizza, and a large pepperoni and sausage pie cover the old-school bases nicely.
The crust bakes up crispy rather than greasy. That makes it easy to go back for a second slice without feeling weighed down.
Salads round things out if you want something fresh on the side. A Greek Salad or a simple tossed salad pairs well with a hot pie.
Italian sandwiches are another option for anyone not in a pizza mood. Though honestly, why would you be in that mood here?
Hours are generous, running from late morning to late evening, seven days a week. That makes it handy for a late bite after exploring downtown.
Live music shows up on the list of extras, which adds some fun to a casual meal. Counter service keeps things moving quickly.
Weekend evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to get the busiest. Reservations aren’t taken, so timing your visit a little early can help.
Delivery and takeout are both available if you’d rather eat at your hotel. Still, that adobe patio makes a strong argument for staying put.
Address: 329 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
8. Zippies Pizza
Roswell is famous for aliens, but its pizza deserves a spotlight too. Zippies serves hand-tossed and thin-and-crispy pies right on East 3rd Street.
The menu includes thin, crispy pizzas cut into squares. Finding that option in the New Mexico desert is a fun surprise.
Dough is made fresh, and the pies bake in a real pizza oven. They arrive hot, with a golden, crispy homemade crust.
The sauce gets plenty of praise for its flavor. It’s a solid base for both simple and loaded pies.
Hand Tossed Specialty Pizzas cover the creative side of the menu. Prefer to choose your own?
The Thin and Crispy Build Your Own is waiting.
Strombolis are another big draw. The Green Chile Cheese Burger Stromboli mixes a local favorite flavor into one rolled-up package.
Philly cheesesteaks also appear on the menu. That’s a handy pick for anyone who wants a sandwich instead.
Roswell fries are one of the quirkier items you’ll spot. Boneless wings add another easy snack for the table.
Dessert lovers have two strong choices. Cinna Bombs bring a sweet cinnamon finish, and cannoli are also a crowd favorite.
The place is locally owned and family style. Friendly service helps make it feel like a true neighborhood pizzeria.
Hours run Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday off. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to bring the biggest crowds.
Delivery is available, including no-contact options. Still, a pie straight from the oven tastes best right at the table.
Address: 115 E 3rd St, Roswell, NM 88201