Local pizza joint named one of the best in U.S. by The New York Times

The New York Times (NYT) has chosen local Birmingham favorite Post Office Pies as one of the 22 best pizza joints in America.

Established in Avondale back in 2014 by Birmingham native and renowned chef John Hall, SAWS BBQ founder, the late Mike Wilson, and SAWS chef Brandon Cain, Post Office Pies is a part of a national movement the NYT has described as:  

“…craft pizza renaissance…a rare culinary convergence: born of metropolitan chef culture but not confined to big cities.”

Joining Post Office Pies on the NYT best list were pizzerias from cities as big as Los Angeles to the small town of  Mount Vernon, Iowa with a population of 4000.

Local ingredients and hand crafted pies

Why was Post Office Pies chosen? 

 “Neapolitan pies are expertly made, often highlighting local produce.”

New York Times — 22 Best Pizza Places in the United States

Winston Clements, the Kitchen Manager at Post Office Pies, which consolidated its operations earlier this year to its Lane Parke location agreed.

In a brief interview he told us what made their pizzas special.

“I would say the sauce. And I’m a big fan of our dough. We make it in house every single day. It’s hand tossed, hand stretched  and wood fired — then put together right there (pointing to the open kitchen). Then, put a nice atmosphere around it.” 

Winston Clements, Kitchen Manager, Post Office Pies

Post Office Pies favorites

Asked what are customer favorites, Clements said:

• Cheese — tomato sauce and mozzarella 
• Supreme — Tomato sauce, pepperoni, sausage, red onions, olives, green bell peppers, mushrooms and mozzarella 
• Chicken Pesto — Nut-free pesto, fresh basil upon request, roasted chicken and mozzarella 
• Porchetta — Italian pizza sandwich, with porchetta, burrata, pesto, arugula, aloli (Yes – not a pizza, but Clements raved about it)

This isn’t the first time Post Office Pies has been recognized by a national publication in 2019, USA Today named it one of the 30 best pizzerias in the U.S.

Haven’t been to Post Office Pies?  Their sole location which has a much bigger oven is now at 270 Rele Street in the heart of Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village.

Did The New York Times get it right?  Who else in the Birmingham metro area should have made their list?  Tell us your favorite Post Office Pies memory by tagging us on Instagram at @bhamnow!