Detroit-style pizza accounts for just 7% of nationwide pizza sales, yet it’s quickly gaining ground among pizza enthusiasts. Emmy Squared‘s Nashville location, featured on Barstool’s One Bite Pizza Review, showcases this rectangular style with its signature crispy, cheese-crusted edges and thick, airy dough. The reviewer’s enthusiastic response to their balanced flavors and frico cheese technique hints at why this once-regional specialty has crossed state lines. What makes this particular rendition stand out in the competitive Tennessee food scene?
Detroit-Style Pizza Takes Nashville By Storm
Three culinary worlds collide at Emmy Squared Pizza, where the beloved Detroit-style rectangular pies have captured the attention of Barstool’s famous One Bite reviewer. The Nashville food scene has accepted this unique pizza style that combines elements of New York grandma pies with Detroit’s signature frico crust, creating a destination-worthy experience across three Nashville locations. Unlike Chicago-style deep dish, these pies require shorter baking times for optimal results.
Emmy Squared’s Nashville expedition began in The Gulch in 2018, where the restaurant quickly established itself as a pizza innovator with its crispy-edged, cheese-crusted creations. The 404 12th Ave S location features a popular rooftop patio, perfect for enjoying a pie while taking in the urban scenery.
Emmy’s distinctive Detroit-style pizzas have been winning Nashville hearts since landing in The Gulch with their cheese-crusted innovation and scenic rooftop dining.
They later expanded to Germantown in 2021, setting up shop at 1121 5th Ave N with a contemporary interior and outdoor patio seating. The newest addition arrived in East Nashville in 2022, bringing Detroit-style pizza to 1000 Main St.
What makes Emmy Squared’s pies stand out is their commitment to high-quality ingredients and that distinctive rectangular shape with a crispy perimeter. The thick rectangular crust is a hallmark of authentic Detroit-style pizza that gives each slice its characteristic height and texture. The crust, which develops a caramelized cheese edge, has divided some reviewers – many praise its textural contrast while others debate the sweetness of the sauce.
Beyond pizza, Emmy Squared has garnered acclaim for its Le Big Matt burger, a double-stack sensation that’s won fans in both Nashville and New York City.
Hours vary slightly between locations, with most opening at 11AM, though Germantown starts service at 4PM on weekdays and 11AM on weekends. The East Nashville location welcomes diners from 11AM to 9PM Sunday through Thursday, extending hours until 10PM on weekends. The restaurants offer dine-in experiences that customers describe as trendy and upscale, along with convenient online ordering for pickup or delivery through their mobile app, which includes a rewards program.
For those planning special occasions, all three Emmy Squared locations welcome semi-private events with customized menus. Despite some customers finding the prices a bit steep, the restaurant continues to draw crowds for its unique approach to pizza, creating a distinctive niche in Nashville’s competitive dining landscape.
