DeKALB | Pizza has long been a staple in every college student’s diet, and in a community including university students, a variety of pizzerias are bound to take hold.

Pizzerias in DeKalb provide a wide range of choices for the pizza-loving college student.

With great choices, however, comes great indecision. Which restaurants serve the best pizza? Which have the best deals?

This past week, I made it a goal to find some of the best pizza and the best-priced deals in DeKalb, and discovered that often the best pizza comes from small places, not gigantic chains.

PRONTO’S PIZZA, 1023 1/2 W. HILLCREST DRIVE

Pronto’s Pizza has some of the best prices when it comes to pizza. They offer a jumbo slice and a free can of soda for only $5.

Sure, Pronto’s is not the only restaurant to offer a deal like this, nor are they the first. The price at Pronto’s Pizza, however, cannot be beaten.

Pronto’s does not do anything fancy with their pizza, but the simplicity of the recipe and the price of a meal at Pronto’s makes this restaurant a great place to grab a slice after a long Friday night.

HUSKIE’S PIZZA, 850 PAPPAS DRIVE

Speaking of long Friday nights, many students will remember standing in a freakishly long line for a giant slice from Huskie’s Pizza. Huskie’s was the premier restaurant for the giant slice and soda promotion.

Over the years, the prices at Huskie’s have risen to $6, making a slice from Huskie’s $1 more than Pronto’s. A slice of pizza from Huskie’s tastes so similar to a slice from Pronto’s Pizza, it is uncanny. The pizza at Huskie’s, however, was a bit greasier.

Huskie’s, like Pronto’s, is a great place to go after one of those long nights that many college students are familiar with.

PAGLIAI’S PIZZA, 817 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Pagliai’s does not offer a giant slice and drink combo, but makes up for it with great tasting pizza at an affordable price. They have great homestyle thin crust pizza, fresh out of the oven with a great atmosphere.

Pagliai’s Pizza is a true Italian pizzeria through and through. Nothing about the pizza here tasted processed in any way. Everything from the cheese right down to the crust tasted fresh.

The price of a 14-inch pizza at Pagliai’s is only $8.99, while Huskie’s charges $13.99 for a pizza of the same size.

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pizza served by Pagliai’s. Fans of the authentic pizzeria atmosphere and great pizza would love Pagliai’s.

JB’s WORLD FAMOUS PIZZA, 142 E. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

In all my time in DeKalb, I have never had a pizza like a World Famous pizza.

Located in Lord Stanley’s Bar, World Famous makes some of the best pizza in DeKalb. The pizza here is fairly expensive, but worth every penny. For those over 21-years-old, two pitchers of domestic beer and a large pizza, which feeds anywhere from two to five people, comes to $17.

World Famous has a huge selection of toppings, so those who love to mix and match their toppings are not disappointed. The pizzas are served scalding hot, just the way I like it, and are full of flavor.

Anyone who is not 21 yet need not worry, World Famous delivers. I recommend a pizza with garlic and red peppers. Pizza lovers cannot go wrong with a World Famous pizza.

DOMINO’S PIZZA, 901 LUCINDA AVE.

What college campus is complete without a Domino’s?

They offer a wide variety of choices at reasonable prices, coupled with late-night delivery all around DeKalb, Domino’s is another great choice for the nocturnal snacker.

Warning: Domino’s pizza can be quite greasy, but tastes great. On top of being delicious while hot, leftover Domino’s makes for a great morning snack, provided that it is refrigerated over night.

Check the newspaper and the Domino’s website often, they always have coupons with great deals.

TOPPERS PIZZA, 1015 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY, SUITE B

Toppers Pizza is a DeKalb favorite. They’re open late, and their prices are reasonable. Not a day goes by that a Topper’s delivery car doesn’t drive up to the residence halls.

Toppers Pizza provides great food to satisfy those with inebriated munchies, even if their pizza is really greasy.

Toppers has a “hip” atmosphere and they’re proud of it. The Toppers answering machine is full of little quips and jokes designed to keep the caller entertained.

Toppers also seems to be a master of coming up with strange and interesting pizza ideas, most of which have turned out to be quite delicious. I personally recommend the chicken club Topper pizza. It’s got honey mustard on it!

VINNY’S PIZZA AND WINGS, 221 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

I’ll be honest. I rarely eat at Vinny’s; I order from there maybe once a year. Their prices are pretty good, mirroring Pagliai’s for a 14-inch cheese pizza at $8.99.

Even though I don’t personally frequent Vinny’s, many others recommend the restaurant as one of their favorite pizza places in DeKalb. Vinny’s is well known for their Hurricane Pizza and the Hurricane pizza Challenge. Customers that order the Hurricane Pizza are given 30 minutes to eat the entire thing, which is gigantic. There is a $35 entrance fee, which is returned upon completion of the challenge, along with a $100 prize.

People who enjoy gorging themselves, or enjoy watching their friends gorge themselves on a humongous pizza would love Vinny’s.

The restaurant is open until at least 2 a.m. every day of the week, even Sunday, making it a great option for pizza lovers tired of ordering Topper’s or Domino’s every night of the week.

PIZZA VILLA, 824 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Pizza Villa is another restaurant with the atmosphere of an authentic pizzeria. They serve pints of beer and have a decent selection of specialty pizzas. The pizza at Pizza Villa is delicious and timely. They don’t keep you waiting at Pizza Villa. Their vegetarian pizza is especially delicious.

Opening at 4 p.m., Pizza Villa is definitely a dinner place. They’re not open super late, closing at 10 p.m. for pickup and delivery, so eat early!

PIZZA HUT, 701 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Pizza Hut has become a household name in the United States, much like Domino’s. Pizza Hut pizza is also pretty greasy, but that’s not to say that the pizza there isn’t tasty.

Unfortunately, Pizza Hut does not offer late-night delivery, and closes by 10:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Not the best choice for the night owls among us, but not bad for lunch or an early dinner.

PIZZA PRO’S, 928 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Pizza Pro’s is very popular here in DeKalb. They have a wide selection available for pick up or delivery, ranging from pizza to their delicious cheese nuggets.

A 14-inch cheese pizza is $9.75, more expensive than Pagliai’s but not nearly as expensive as Huskie’s Pizza. The pizzas from Pizza Pro’s are not lathered in grease, and the dough tastes hand-made.

Freshness is important for a great pizza, and Pizza Pro’s pizza is some of the freshest around.