Best Pizza in Waco: A Baylor Student's Slice Guide
If you're a Baylor student, pizza isn't just food — it's a survival tool. It's the 11 PM study fuel, the post-game celebration, the "let's split a pie instead of cooking" weeknight staple. And while Waco might not be the first city that comes to mind for pizza, the local scene punches well above its weight with everything from hand-tossed New York slices to wood-fired Neapolitan pies.
Here's a student-tested guide to the best pizza in Waco, organized by what you're actually looking for — whether that's a cheap slice between classes, a craft beer pairing downtown, or a spot to take your parents when they visit.
Best New York-Style Slice: Shorty's Pizza Shack
If you've spent any time near Baylor, you already know Shorty's. Located at 1712 S 12th Street — literally steps from campus — this is the default pizza spot for most students, and for good reason.
Shorty's has been slinging New York-style pies since 2011, and they do it right: whole milk mozzarella, house-made dough and marinara, and from-scratch toppings. You can grab a single slice for a quick lunch or order a full 14" or 18" pie for a group. Their Pizza Pillow (a calzone-like creation) is a Shorty's original worth trying at least once.
What to expect:
- Prices: $10-$20 per person
- Hours: Mon-Wed 11 AM - 10 PM, Thu-Fri 11 AM - 11 PM
- Vibe: Casual, college-crowd energy, craft beer on tap, fried pickles on the side
- Pro tip: Thursday and Friday nights stay open until 11 PM — your best bet for a late-ish pizza run near campus
Shorty's also has a second location at 8640 La Village Ave if you're on the west side of town.
Best Wood-Fired Neapolitan: Moroso Italian Ristorante
For pizza that takes itself a little more seriously, Moroso is the move. This family-owned spot at 4700 Bosque Blvd specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza — we're talking leopard-spotted crusts, imported Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes, and a menu built on family recipes from the owner's time cooking in Europe.
Moroso is more of a sit-down dinner experience than a grab-and-go slice shop. The Margherita is the benchmark, but the full Italian menu (pasta, calamari, bruschetta) makes this a great date night or parent-visit restaurant.
What to expect:
- Prices: $20-$30 per person
- Hours: Tue-Thu 11 AM - 2 PM & 5-9 PM, Fri 11 AM - 2 PM & 5-10 PM, Sat 5-10 PM, Sun 10 AM - 2 PM (brunch). Closed Monday.
- Vibe: Intimate, upscale-casual, perfect for date night
- Pro tip: Go for the lunch menu if you want the same quality at a slightly lower price point — Brussel sprouts appetizer ($10) and a personal pizza make a solid combo
Best Pizza + Craft Beer: Southern Roots Brewing Co
Downtown Waco's craft beer scene has been growing, and Southern Roots at 219 N 8th Street is one of the best spots where pizza and local brews collide. Their pies are made with San Marzano tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, and they rotate specialty options alongside classics like pepperoni and Margherita.
The real draw is pairing your pie with one of their house-brewed beers. The "Southern Sow" (a BBQ-inspired pizza) with a local IPA is a combination that just works.
What to expect:
- Prices: $12-$20 per person
- Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM - 11 PM, Sun 12-8 PM
- Vibe: Industrial-chic brewpub, downtown energy, good for groups
- Pro tip: Friday and Saturday nights get busy — arrive before 6 PM or plan for a short wait
Best Waco Pizza Institution: Poppa Rollo's
Some pizza places earn their reputation through technique. Poppa Rollo's earned it through time — serving Waco since 1969. This is the spot your Baylor RA probably told you about during orientation week.
Located at 703 N Valley Mills Drive, Poppa Rollo's serves thick, generously topped pies in a family-friendly atmosphere complete with a game room and arcade. The pizza leans toward the heartier, cheese-heavy side — this isn't delicate Neapolitan, it's comfort food.
What to expect:
- Prices: $10-$20 per person
- Hours: Check their website for current hours — they also have a Hewitt location at 1201 Hewitt Dr
- Vibe: Family-friendly, nostalgic, the kind of place where every surface has a story
- Pro tip: Go with a group of 4+ and split a couple of specialty pies. The value gets better the more people you bring
Best Hand-Tossed Classic: Baris
Baris at 904 N Valley Mills Drive is Waco's other New York-style pizza heavyweight. Every pizza starts from scratch daily — fresh dough, house-made sauce, hand-tossed to order. Their specialty pies (White Pizza, Spinach Special, Margherita) go beyond the standard pepperoni-and-cheese rotation.
Baris consistently ranks as a top-rated pizzeria on TripAdvisor, and the full Italian menu (pasta, calzones, subs) makes it versatile enough for any occasion.
What to expect:
- Prices: $10-$20 per person
- Hours: Tue-Thu 11 AM - 10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM - 11 PM, Sun 12-10 PM. Closed Monday.
- Vibe: Classic Italian-American, good for dine-in or takeout
- Pro tip: Their calzones are massive — one is enough for two people if you're on a budget
Best Patio Pizza: Slow Rise Slice House
Slow Rise at 7608 Woodway Drive takes the New York slice concept and gives it a Texas-sized upgrade. Their "slow rise" fermented dough produces a crust with real character — chewy, slightly tangy, and sturdy enough to hold up to loaded toppings.
The standout is the Texas Gold — a honey mustard base topped with fried chicken and bacon that shouldn't work but absolutely does. Grab a 14" pie ($16.99) or go big with a 20" ($21.99). The space is shared with Common Grounds Woodway coffee shop, and the outdoor patio is one of the best in Waco for a casual evening.
What to expect:
- Prices: 14" pies from $16.99, 20" from $19.99
- Hours: Daily 11 AM - 10 PM
- Vibe: Spacious patio, laid-back, great for groups
- Pro tip: Pair a slice with one of their craft beer options — the tap list rotates regularly
Late-Night Pizza and Delivery Options
When it's midnight and you need pizza delivered to your apartment, here's what actually works near Baylor:
- Shorty's Pizza Shack delivers through DoorDash and Uber Eats, open until 11 PM Thu-Fri
- Domino's and Pizza Hut — not glamorous, but they deliver late and you know exactly what you're getting
- Postmates and DoorDash open up options from Poppa Rollo's, Baris, and other spots during regular hours
For the best late-night experience near campus, Shorty's on S 12th is hard to beat — it's close enough to walk from most South Waco apartments, and the Thursday-Friday extended hours align perfectly with student schedules.
How to Pick Your Waco Pizza Spot
| What You Want | Go Here |
|---|---|
| Quick slice near campus | Shorty's Pizza Shack |
| Date night or parent visit | Moroso Italian Ristorante |
| Pizza + craft beer | Southern Roots Brewing |
| Family-friendly with an arcade | Poppa Rollo's |
| Best hand-tossed classic | Baris |
| Best patio and creative toppings | Slow Rise Slice House |
| Late-night delivery | Shorty's + delivery apps |
Living Near Waco's Best Pizza
If proximity to good pizza ranks on your apartment checklist (and let's be honest, it should), location matters. Centre Apartments at 1901 S 11th Street sits walking distance from both Baylor campus and Shorty's Pizza Shack on S 12th — meaning a fresh slice is never more than a few minutes away. With parking included and no need to drive for your pizza fix, it's one less thing to think about on a busy school night.
Check out the floor plans to see what's available, or schedule a tour to see the neighborhood for yourself. And if you're still building your Waco food map, start with our guide to the best restaurants near Baylor for the full picture.
