The Best Pizza in Delray Beach Isn't New York Style — It's Detroit Style, and Here's Where to Get It
Death by Pizza in Delray Beach has built a following on a pizza style you wouldn't expect to find in South Florida: Detroit-style, not New York-style, and it's served at two locations, including a newer sit-down spot in West Delray.
I'm Joe Vairo — a 2x eXp ICON Agent, ranked the #3 real estate agent in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine, and founder of the Vairo Group, ranked the #3 real estate team in Fort Lauderdale. I track the local food and lifestyle scene closely because it's a huge part of what draws buyers to a neighborhood in the first place. Here is the full breakdown.
What Makes Death by Pizza Different From a Typical Delray Pizzeria
Death by Pizza serves Detroit-style pizza, not the New York-style pie most people expect to find in a beach town like Delray. Detroit-style pizza is known for its thick, rectangular crust and crispy, caramelized cheese edges, and it's a distinct enough choice that it sets the restaurant apart from the classic Italian-American pizzerias scattered around Delray and Boca.
Where Are the Two Death by Pizza Locations?
There are two Death by Pizza locations in the Delray area: the original spot out east, right off Atlantic Avenue, and a newer West Delray location. The original East Delray location, near Atlantic Avenue, is takeout only with a more limited menu, while the West Delray location is a full sit-down restaurant that opened a couple of years ago.
What's on the Menu at the West Delray Location?
The West Delray location has a notably more expansive menu than the original, including drinks, sandwiches, and pastas in addition to the pizza. That sit-down format and broader menu make it more of a destination restaurant rather than a quick takeout stop.
Which Appetizers Are Worth Ordering First?
The standout appetizers are the pepperoni wontons and the cheesesteak egg rolls, alongside a spinach and artichoke dip. Between those two, the pepperoni wontons and cheesesteak egg rolls are arguably two of the best items on the entire menu, before the pizza even arrives at the table.
How Is the Pizza Itself?
The pizza is the reason people come to Death by Pizza, and a chicken parm burrata pizza is one of the standout options for anyone wanting to try something outside a classic pepperoni pie. For a lighter option alongside it, a salad topped with a cutlet rounds out the meal.
What This Means for Delray Beach Diners and Relocators
A restaurant like this signals what's happening in Delray Beach more broadly: the food scene keeps diversifying beyond the classic South Florida beach-town staples, and a Detroit-style pizza concept expanding to a second, full sit-down location tells you there's real demand for it. For anyone relocating to Delray or West Delray, having a spot like this within reach is one more data point on what day-to-day life in the area actually looks like.
Am I Bullish on Delray Beach's Food Scene?
Yes. Delray continues to attract restaurant concepts that wouldn't have made sense there a decade ago, and that kind of culinary variety is a strong signal for a neighborhood's long-term desirability, not just for diners but for buyers evaluating where to live.
FAQ
Is Death by Pizza in Delray Beach New York-style pizza?
No. Death by Pizza serves Detroit-style pizza, known for its thick, rectangular crust and crispy cheese edges, rather than the classic thin, foldable New York slice.
How many Death by Pizza locations are there in Delray?
There are two: the original location out east near Atlantic Avenue, which is takeout only with a limited menu, and a newer West Delray location that is full sit-down with an expanded menu.
What should I order at the West Delray location?
The pepperoni wontons and cheesesteak egg rolls are standout appetizers, and the chicken parm burrata pizza is a strong pick if you want something beyond a classic pepperoni pie.
Does the West Delray location serve alcohol?
Yes, the West Delray location's expanded menu includes drinks in addition to pizza, sandwiches, and pastas.
Want to Talk Through the Delray Beach Opportunity?
I'm Joe Vairo with the Vairo Group. If you want an honest, current conversation about living in or relocating to Delray Beach and West Delray, reach out directly.
📲 Text or call me at 954-830-1126
📩 Email me at [email protected] anytime — I respond personally
Joe Vairo is a 2x eXp ICON Agent, South Florida real estate agent, and Fort Lauderdale Magazine's #3 ranked agent in Fort Lauderdale. The Vairo Group, ranked the #3 real estate team in Fort Lauderdale, specializes in waterfront properties and luxury relocation in the $1M+ market.
Source Short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WrJ8idnjUrM
