Many people in Las Vegas have become pizza aficionados. It starts innocently enough but soon escalates into a crusader’s quest for the perfect pizza. Las Vegas provides many choices and after sampling each one these are offered as the top five.

1. Grimaldi’s Pizza – Grimaldi’s is the home of New York style thin crust pizza that you can fold in half and eat without making a mess. It is cooked in a coal-fired brick oven that provides the perfect texture. The toppings range from sausage and meatballs to pepperoni on a white or red pizza. The mozzarella is homemade and the entire meal, including a huge Mediterranean salad, is amazingly fresh. The decor is checkered tablecloths and casual with a full bar. Prices range from $11 to $30 and they are open every day, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. They do not deliver but take-out is fine. They are located at 3327 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
2. D.O.C.G. at the Cosmopolitan Hotel – The atmosphere encourages patrons to linger over a glass of wine and a pizza that whispers “perfetto” with each bite of tomato, cheese and basil atop a perfect crust. Choose from the Margherita pizza, the Prosciutto pizza or one of the other fabulous choices. The crust is perfect with just a slight char to it. Open from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day, with prices ranging from $11 to $30, it’s located at 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
3. Slice of Vegas – Located between Luxor and Mandalay Bay, this is a great place to enjoy a pizza at the bar or in a booth with the family. Inexpensive and decidedly friendly, you can try the Miles’ 10 Meat Pizza or Il Mangino, which offers a mozzarella-ricotta mix of cheese topped with red onions, prosciutto and arugula salad with fresh lemons, olive oil and parmigiano reggiano. This is heaven located at 3930 South Las Vegas Blvd., and open 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.
4. Spago – The famous Spago’s pizza is a great way to indulge yourself while shopping at the Forum Shops at Caesars. The pizzas are made to perfection. Try to decide if the chicken sausage pizza or the Italian sausage pizza is best. It offers great service and a casually upscale atmosphere. It is located at 3600 South Las Vegas Blvd., and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday when they stay open until midnight.
5. Otto Pizzeria – Any partnership between Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich is bound to be a winner. Their pizzas range from the elegant truffle pizza and pesto pizza to the Quattro Formaggi, with a rich blend of four cheeses. Pizzas are priced at between $18 and $25 and the hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. It is located at 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.