Ronkonkoma is known for thick crust pizzas, but don't expect to find just traditional Italian pies on the menus of the pizzerias in this Long Island city. What you'll find are a variety of styles of pizza that have thick-crusted bases ranging from Sicilian to Neapolitan to Roman. Thick crust pizza has long since been the staple pie in Italy. It varies from region to region of the country and each area has their own take on the basic. That's something that is apparent in the pizzerias in Ronkonkoma, where the pizza chefs have stuck to traditions from their particular part of the homeland. A very popular way of presenting pizza in Ronkonkoma is grandma-style which, if you've not had it before, is a large rectangular pizza cut into squares for serving. It's the perfect pie for feeding a family or if you've got a group of hungry friends to feed.

Best delivery in Ronkonkoma, New York

When you've got friends over or have a bunch of kids to feed but don't have time to cook you'll want to order in the best pizza in Ronkonkoma for them to eat. Pop's Pizza are maestros at pie-making and will deliver a great pizza free of charge, and won't keep you hanging around for it. Pop's is a pizzeria on Portion Road that excels at baking family-sized pies grandma-style. They have a smart premises with an open-plan kitchen that's clean and well organized. They need to be organized too as pizza orders fly in there thick and fast. They're all dealt with in a no-nonsense efficient manner that could probably gain them a place in the Guinness Book of Records for being the fastest pizza makers in New York state. That's exactly what you need when you have lots of hungry folks to feed.

Best takeout pizza in Ronkonkoma, New York

If you've spent the day over at the Ronkonkoma Lake Recreation Center lounging around on the beach, even though you've been chilling out, you'll probably have worked up an appetite from all the fresh air. Fortunately, you won't have far to go to the Mangiamo Restaurant, where you can pick up the best take-out pizza in Ronkonkoma. Walk into the Mangiamo Restaurant on Portion Road and you'll feel like you've walked into the cobble-stoned plaza of a rural Italian village where there are tables set for dining. The artwork on the walls is that detailed and so convincing, they're a masterpiece. Mangiamo's pizzas are equally incredible so the best thing to do is forget getting a take-out, sit down and enjoy your pizza in beautiful surroundings rather than in the car.

Best pizza near Ronkonkoma, New York

Stony Brook

Take a ten-mile drive north from Ronkonkoma and you'll come to Stony Brook. While the name might conjure up images of a rural village by a creek surrounded by dense forest, this Stony Brook doesn't have any of those features. It is a scenic hamlet though on the shores of Smithtown Bay with a quaint harbor and picturesque historic district. Take a stroll around the peaceful streets before heading to the Long Island Museum where there are exhibits of horse-drawn carriages or take a look at the Stony Brook Grist Mill which dates from the mid-18th century. When you've had your fill of history, grab a pizza from Stony Brook Pizza on Nesconset Highway and head for the West Meadow Beach for a picnic with a superb ocean view.

East Islip

East Islip, a city ten miles south of Ronkonkoma, is bordered on its east and southern sides by the Heckscher State Park and the Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Both are super places to visit if you enjoy wildlife spotting or hiking by the ocean. There are over fifty miles of trails in the nature preserve which are also open during the winter months for cross country skiing. The park rangers organize multiple activities throughout the year for adults, kids and families which can be fun and adventurous as well as educational for all. For a great pizza in East Islip,drop in to Francesco's Trattoria on East Main Street.

Hempstead

Hempstead is thirty miles west of Ronkonkoma and a Long Island town that embraces history in multiple forms. There are several very interesting museums in Hempstead which are more than worth taking a browse around. If you're on a day out with kids, take them to the Long Island Children's Museum where there are twelve galleries of fascinating interactive exhibits. Of more interest to adults, unless you have a budding pilot or firefighter in the family, are the Cradle of Aviation Museum and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum. If you find yourself on Henry Street try a pizza from Pizzatini.