A 23-inch pizza built to feed 10 to 12 people waits at the bottom of a staircase, under a pharmacy. That alone had me hooked.
Pizza has been served in this basement since 1965.
The walls are covered in decades of names, messages, and doodles. The lighting stays dim, and candles often flicker on the tables.
I like how the room feels like a giant guestbook you can eat in.
The dough gets double-proofed for 24 hours before anyone tosses it by hand. The mozzarella is whole-milk and shredded in-house.
No frozen crusts, no shortcuts, no bagged cheese.
This Utah spot has kept the same family in charge for more than four decades. I can’t imagine a better place to argue about toppings with friends.
So what makes a basement pizza joint this hard to forget?
Follow The Stairs Down To A Pizza Legend
Some restaurants want a grand entrance. The Pie Pizzeria, known to many as The Pie Underground, asks you to walk downstairs instead.
That descent is part of the charm. The restaurant sits in a basement underneath the University Pharmacy, so it feels like a secret clubhouse with ovens.
The spot has served pizza since 1965. Back then it went by a wonderfully goofy name, Bimbo’s in the Cellar.
In 1980, the Palmer family took over and turned it into The Pie. They still own and run it today, which is rare for a place this busy and this beloved.
Here’s a practical tip worth knowing early. Access is by stairs only, so plan ahead if anyone in your group has trouble with steps.
That small climb pays off fast. Once you reach the bottom, the street noise fades and the pizza smell takes over completely.
Other Pie locations exist around Utah, and the original Underground location offers both dine-in and takeout service. That choice protects its old character and keeps the original feeling alive for every new guest.
Think of it as the flagship with a basement view.
Grab A Marker, Because The Walls Are Talking
Decades of handwriting cover nearly every inch of this place. Names, inside jokes, love notes, and doodles stack on top of each other like a crowded scrapbook.
The building’s old brick walls and historic archways give all that scribbling a sturdy frame. It looks less like messy graffiti and more like a living history of Salt Lake City.
Students have left marks here for generations. Families, professors, and longtime fans have added their own lines too.
Reading the walls while waiting for your pizza is half the fun. You might spot a funny message, a sweet note, or a name you recognize.
The room stays dim, and tables are often candlelit. That cozy glow makes the crowded walls feel warm instead of chaotic.
It’s a smart place for a first date or a reunion with old friends. Conversation comes easy when the decor gives you a hundred stories to point at.
Bring patience for the details. Every arch and corner seems to hide another layer of personality worth studying.
Honestly, few restaurants let their guests help design the room. The Pie Underground has been doing it for years.
Dough That Takes A Full Day To Get Ready
Twenty-four hours. That’s how long the dough at The Pie Pizzeria spends double-proofing before it ever meets a topping.
The kitchen makes it from scratch every time. Then the crew hand-rolls and tosses each crust, which is exactly the old-school method the name promises.
The style leans New York, with a hand-tossed base that holds up under serious toppings. Thin crust is also available if you prefer a lighter bite.
The cheese gets the same careful treatment. Whole-milk mozzarella is shredded by hand instead of poured from a bag.
Meats and vegetables are sliced fresh daily. Every sauce and dressing is made in-house, including the ranch that tags along with so many orders.
Every pizza is made to order too. You won’t find frozen crusts or pre-shredded cheese hiding in the back.
Why does this matter to a hungry person? Fresh prep usually means better flavor, and these steps show a kitchen that cares about the basics.
It’s a slow process in a fast-food world. That patience is a big reason this Utah pizza has stuck around since 1980.
Bring Friends, Lots Of Them, For The 23-Inch Monster
Ordering big here means something. The largest pizza stretches a whopping 23 inches and is designed to feed 10 to 12 people.
That’s not a meal. That’s an event with a crust.
Smaller sizes run from 12 to 16 inches, which works better for a couple or a small family. Still, the giant pie is the showstopper most groups talk about.
It makes perfect sense for birthday parties, team dinners, or a gang of college friends after class. One order can cover the whole table without a stack of separate boxes.
A quick bit of advice helps here. Those big pans come out hot, so handle them carefully when it’s time to carry yours to the table.
Also, think honestly about your group’s appetite. The toppings and cheese are generous, so a size smaller might still leave leftovers.
Leftovers aren’t a bad problem, of course. Cold pizza the next morning has its own loyal fan club.
Just picture the look on your friends’ faces when that pan lands. It’s the kind of moment that ends up written on the walls.
Specialty Pies With Wild Ideas And Big Flavor
Cheeseburger on a pizza? The Cheesy Bacon Burger Pie says yes, and it does so without apology.
The specialty list at The Pie Pizzeria reads like a menu written by curious, very hungry people. There’s the Thai Pie, the El Guapo Pie, the Hawaii Pie-O, and The Wise Guy Pie.
Meat lovers can aim straight for the Mountain of Meat. Fans of classic loaded pizza often go for The Pie’s Combo.
Chicken shows up in several fun ways. Pick from Chicken Ranch, Buffalo Chicken Ranch, or BBQ Chicken Cilantro.
Lighter tastes have choices too. The Caprese Pie, The Greek, and Xtreme Veggie bring plenty of fresh color to the table.
Then there’s the Bacon-Berry Pie, which sounds like a dare but earns its spot. A Stromboli Pizza rounds things out for anyone wanting something hearty.
Spice seekers should look for ApocalyptDough, a specialty dough with a fiery kick built right in.
My advice is simple. Split a classic with your group, then gamble on one strange combo.
Worst case, you get a great story.
Plant-Based And Gluten-Free Eaters Get A Real Seat At The Table
Vegan diners often settle for a sad side salad. Not here.
The Pie Pizzeria offers a surprisingly deep vegan lineup. You can choose Follow Your Heart vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni, sausage, bacon, seitan chicken, and vegan beef.
It goes past toppings, too. Vegan wings, vegan cheese sticks, and vegan ranch make it easy to build a full meal without missing out.
There’s also a set of specialty vegan pizzas. That means you don’t have to invent your own combo unless you want to.
Gluten-free guests have options as well. Gluten-free crusts are available, along with specialty gluten-free pies like the GF Bacon and Berries Pie.
This flexibility matters for mixed groups. One friend can go full meat while another stays plant-based, and nobody has to pick a different restaurant.
Families with food allergies or preferences will appreciate that variety. It turns a tricky dinner plan into an easy yes.
Still, ask the staff about your specific needs when you order. Kitchens share space, and a quick question helps you eat with confidence.
Good pizza should welcome everybody. This menu clearly agrees.
Save Room For Pull-Aparts, Zappis, And Sweet Pies
Pizza gets the spotlight, but the supporting cast is strong. The Cheese Pull a Parts are an easy pick for the table while you wait.
A sweeter version exists too. The Cinnamon Pull a Parts work as a snack or a dessert, depending on how patient you feel.
Then come the zappis. That’s The Pie’s own name for calzones, folded and stuffed for anyone who likes their pizza tucked in a pocket.
Salads and pastas fill out the menu for guests wanting something different. They’re handy when one person in the group isn’t in a pizza mood, somehow.
Dessert is where things get playful. The PB&J dessert Pie layers peanut butter cream, Nutella-cacao ganache, and raspberry coulis.
A Blueberry Lemon Curd Sweet Dough offers a brighter, fruity finish. It’s a nice change after a heavy, cheesy dinner.
Here’s a strategy for groups. Order one pull-apart to start, share a pizza, and split a dessert at the end.
That way everybody tastes more of the menu. Nobody leaves feeling like they missed the good stuff.
Students, Professors, And Families All Squeeze In Together
College kids found this place long before social media did. Sitting just steps from the University of Utah, The Pie Underground has been a student hangout for generations.
The crowd isn’t only students, though. Professors, families, and longtime fans share the same cozy basement.
The vibe stays lively yet relaxed. It’s casual enough for a study break and friendly enough for a family dinner.
Parents will find high chairs available. Free Wi-Fi is also offered, which helps if someone needs to finish homework between slices.
You’ll find this spot at 1320 East 200 South in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its location makes it a handy stop before or after campus events.
Parking exists, but read the signs closely. Several businesses share the area, and choosing the right lot saves headaches.
The Pie Underground opens at 11 AM most days and noon on Sundays. It stays open late most nights, which students certainly appreciate.
Plenty of former students come back years later. Walking down those stairs again probably feels like reopening an old yearbook.
The Trophy Shelf Says Utah Has Spoken
Hall of Fame status isn’t handed out casually. In 2018, The Pie Pizzeria earned a spot in the City Weekly Best of Utah Hall of Fame.
That honor came after years of strong showings. The Pie has repeatedly been voted Utah’s favorite pizza in reader polls and local publications for decades.
National attention has shown up too. Citysearch once ranked it the seventh-best pizza in the entire country.
Not bad for a basement under a pharmacy. The setting may be humble, but the results speak loudly.
What keeps it on top? Steady ownership plays a role, since the Palmer family has run The Pie Pizzeria since 1980.
The made-from-scratch habits matter too. Fresh dough, hand-shredded cheese, and in-house sauces build a reputation one pie at a time.
If you’re visiting Salt Lake City, this is an easy addition to your plans. If you live nearby, maybe it’s time for a return trip.
Either way, go with a hungry group and a marker for the walls. The awards tell the story, but the first bite finishes it.