
It’s not hard to find great versions of regional pies in the Queen City but singling out next-level pizza offerings from the pack is the hard part. There are family-owned operations with appeal for all ages as well as spots with unique toppings, carefully crafted crusts, and allergen-sensitive menus all ripe for the picking. From upscale digs to neighborhood dives, Charlotte’s got it all.
Location
Our server was quite pleasant and helpful, and was very patient while we took our time with the menu. The manager Tim was engaging and was walking the restaurant talking with all tables. Place was clean and music was at a perfect level. I stopped by Hawthorne's pizza today after the salon and I must say I truly enjoyed myself! I ordered the meat lovers pizza a salad and took a slice of New York cheesecake home. The pizza was outstanding and so was the service I want to thank my server NAT, I really appreciate your hospitality I will be back soon.
Eat & Drink
The tea was amazing and the food followed suite. We stopped in on Christmas Eve while in town visiting family and they were open. Wasn't many in there but I'm sure on any other holiday they are packed. We got a large Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza and it was delicious.
Eater Carolinas
I love the Italian stromboli and my family always eats the cheese pizza. Right now we are big fans on our menu faves, but eventually we plan to try some other items like the wings or salads. I only wish there was a medium sized pizza.
Stop by any day of the week to pick up a pie, eat inside, or dine on the outdoor patio. A staple in Charlotte for over 30 years, the original menu had 10 pizzas, 10 pastas, and not much else. Today, still known for its Italian fare, the New England-style pizza here is one of a kind. With its thin, crisp, bubbly crust cooked in a real wood-burning oven, “Joe’s Favorite” pizza is a perennial favorite with housemade pork sausage, pepperoni, and hand-pulled mozzarella.
Hawthorne's New York Pizza Makes Women Go Into Labor - Redbook
Hawthorne's New York Pizza Makes Women Go Into Labor.
Posted: Thu, 11 May 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Luisa's Brick Oven Pizzeria
Everyone raved about the food on both occasions, the staff are very friendly and wonderful to work with. With both experiences my orders were accurate, the delivery was on time and the food was incredible! Been a while since I went there due to moving away. Back in town and thought it would be great to take some back to hotel for dinner. I ordered literally one dish and they messed it up.(insult to injury was bread burnt to hockey puck status) Clearly theres no one expediting to send out orders.
Definitely will go back when we come back to visit.

Stripes of red sauce, pesto, and cheese are ribboned onto each pie, giving a perpetual nod to the mother country, Italy. Don’t miss the sweet heat of the hot honey pizza, packed with peppadews, pepperoni, and a hot honey drizzle. Being described as being a hole-in-the-wall leads to less than favorable connotations, but when that hole ends up on Forbes best new restaurant list, people tend to listen.
It’s about sliding into a table that feels like home, and being served by people who feel like family. At Hawthorne’s, we are more than family-friendly, we are a family. And when you dine with us, you become part of that family too. This is now out go-to pizza place in South Charlotte.

Loved the food, great service, and the patio was nice. We had a party of 8, which included 4 kids, plus a puppy, and they accommodated us all well. Good options for young kids; everyone was happy with their meal. Highlights were the Hawthorne's salad, "Inducer" pizza (Buffalo chicken), chicken pesto pasta, and Godfather sandwich. I highly recommend this location; also the Hawthorne/7th Street location and Monroe Road locations, too. Pizza joints in Charlotte are like churches — there’s one on nearly every corner.
This place has top notch NY style pizza even the crust flops just right. We had the Philly Cheese steak pizza, steak, cream sauce, bacon, onions topped with chipotle aioli. It was phenomenal and I am a harsh pizza critic.
Personalize your own pie with a handful of traditional toppings or ramp up the flavor with anchovies, artichoke hearts, or prosciutto. Every pizzeria claims to have a secret sauce or a secret recipe, but Luisa’s secret-not-so-secret ingredient is its brick oven brought over from Milan in the late 1980s. The restaurant boasts that the oven has cooked over a million pizzas. The lunchtime pizza buffet is a must-do as is ordering appetizers of meatballs and calamari. The signature pizza is the Luisa pizza with sliced tomatoes, pesto, ricotta cheese, and garlic. Other house specialties include the muffuletta (with ham, Genoa salami, provolone, and a muffuletta pesto of chopped green olives and pepperoncini).
The pizza was not at all crispy, did seem soggy and the baked ziti tasted like salt. Neither of us could taste the sauce or the cheese or really even the ziti, just salt. Wont be going back, which is sad since its the closest pizza place. I've used Hawthorne's catering service twice now for work events and have had the best experience!
We're seated and ordered right away. He wanted the buffalo chicken pizza. Upon reflection...should have gotten pepperoni and mushrooms. Lots of people working, but had to ask for the bill(not a lot of checking back). Two drinks and an 18 inch pizza and tip...$43.