Rather than whine about the lack of quality slice joints in New Orleans, Michael Friedman and Greg Augarten did everyone a solid by opening Pizza Delicious in late 2012. The Bywater restaurant built its early following through weekly popups; now it’s housed in a large, permanent space near picturesque Crescent Park. The NYC-style offerings include a bubbling-hot Margherita pie; spicy Italian sausage kicked up with sautéed peppers and onions; and classic cheese and pepperoni pizza. Specials include a daily vegan option (spinach slathered in roasted garlic pesto, for instance) and a rotating selection of revelatory pasta dishes (egg noodles blanketed in rich lamb ragu or housemade linguini with smoky fried oysters, spinach, and soppressata in a white wine sauce). And and and… OMG, the garlic knots! Fat, squishy, freshly baked, wonderfully odoriferous—and just $4 a bag. Pair ’em with a slice or two, plus a pint of whatever Parish Brewing Co. happens to have on tap. Close your eyes and you’re practically standing at the corner of Neptune and 16th.

617 Piety St., New Orleans, LA; 504-676-8482.

Additional photos courtesy of Pizza Delicious