Best Brick Oven Pizzas In The Sacramento Area

With a history dating back to ancient Roman times, it is not hard to figure out why wood-fired or brick-oven pizza is so popular. Brick ovens recovered during excavations in Pompeii could be used today with only a few repairs. The simple cooking method has withstood the test of time and still is one of the most beloved and traditional ways to make pizza. If you are wanting some wood-fired or brick-oven pizza, give these five Sacramento-area pizzerias a try.

(credit: woodfiredpizzacompany.com)

The Pizza Company
Various locations
Sacramento, CA
(916) 508-6804
woodfiredpizzacompany.com

The Pizza Company offers delectable pizzas made on Italian wood-fired ovens, but don't expect a traditional restaurant setting. The Pizza Company is mobile and can be found at various downtown Sacramento locations throughout the week. Several year-round locations are Carmichael Park (Sundays) and the 2nd Sunday Antique Faire at West Street near 21st Street. Seasonal locations exist from May through October, so be sure to check the website and Facebook page for the latest locations. If you can't wait for one of the mobile locations, grab a group of your friends and hire The Pizza Company for a catering job. It offers curb-side, backyard and parking-lot catering. There is a 20-person minimum and of course, set up and travel fees. However, imagine the look on your guests faces when you tell them their pizza is coming straight off an Italian wood-fire grill -- at your house.

Related: Best Italian Restaurants in Sacramento

(credit: masullopizza.com)

Masullo Pizza
2711 Riverside Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 443-8929
masullopizza.com

Masullo's offers traditional Italian-style, wood-fired pizzas cooked in the Neapolitan tradition, with wood burned at 800-plus degrees. Many of the items at Masullo's include traditional ingredients from the noted Emilia Romagna region in Italy. Masullo's menu includes a number of pizzas with tomato sauce and some options without. Popular pies include the Elisa, made with mozzarella, Fra'Mani Toscano salami, fennel, onion, oregano and Pecorino Romano. For a change of pace and a non-sauce pizza, give the Mustapha a whirl, made with mozzarella, Grana Padano, prosciutto di Parma and arugula added after baking.

(cedit: pizzarocksacramento.com)

Pizza Rock
1020 K St
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 737-5777
pizzarocksacramento.com

How about a little entertainment with your wood-fired pizza? Pizza Rock is not your ordinary pizzeria, billing itself as a one-of-a-kind destination pizzeria. With creative pizzas paired with specialty cocktails and an impressive imported beer and wine menu, Pizza Rock prides itself on being unique. The outdoor patio features a double-sided, wood-burning oven which doubles as the entertainment spot at Pizza Rock. Patrons will witness the art of championship pizza throwing. The staff at Pizza Rock is trained by the world champion of pizza throwing -- Tony Gemignani, who is the owner and partner in Pizza Rock. If you haven't heard of Gemignani, he's the pizza equivalent of the Judgment of Paris 1976 upset when an American wine beat out all the French competitors. Gemignani is the first American in history to win the coveted World Pizza Cup competition in Naples, Italy. In 2007, his Pizza Margherita managed to beat out all the Italians and Neapolitans in the competition.  And if you want to try this award-winning pizza, you better plan ahead as Pizza Rock only makes 73 of these beauties per day. Why 73? That you need to go in the restaurant to find out.

(credit: hotitalian.net)

Hot Italian
1627 16th St
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-3000
hotitalian.net

Hot Italian's motto is "Tutto e possibile" -- the belief that anything is possible. Hot Italian specializes in wood-fired pizzas including delicious varieties like the Cannavaro, made with tomato sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil, or the Murino, made with seasonal pears, Del Rio Farms honey, mozzarella and gorgonzola dolce cheese. For vegans, try the Muti made with seasonal vegetables, tomato sauce, arugula and take the option to add Daiya vegan cheese. If you are looking for a simple vegetarian option, try the Bellucci, made with fennel sausage (substitute spinach), mozzarella and fresh ricotta cheese.

Related: Best Ethnic Grocery Stores in Sacramento

Chicago Fire Pizza
614 Sutter St
Historic Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 353-0140
chicagofirerestaurant.com

Chicago Fire Pizza is one of the top spots in the city for pizza. It specializes in Chicago-style pizza -- but not just the deep-dish style that many people assume is the most popular. The thin-crust pizza is sliced in squares and has no rolled edges. Try a signature thin crust like the Chicago Fire Combo, made with Italian sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, onions and mushrooms or the Traditional made with fresh tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Both are wonderful options.

Erin De Santiago is a freelance travel and food/wine writer and photographer from Sacramento, California. She is a regional membership coordinator for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and writes for a number of publications in addition to publishing her own blogs. She has traveled to over 40 countries on five continents in search of the best food and wine around the globe. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.