Pizza is not usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Puerto Rico.  Mamposteao, tostones, alcapurrias in Piñones, or lechón asado in Guavate are dishes Puerto Rican cuisine is mostly known for.  Yet there’s something universal about pizza; its undeniable appeal makes it a favorite dining alternative no matter where you are.  With that in mind, here are some of our favorite places in the metropolitan area to get a slice or a pie.

Starting Off At The Historic City

Pizza Luna @ El Burén, Old San Juan

El Burén
Calle Cristo 103, Old San Juan, San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-977-5023 / Fax: 787-977-1292

With it’s friendly staff and charming interior, El Burén doesn’t exactly feel like any old pizza joint.  Yet their specialty pizzas, named after streets in Old San Juan, will almost make you forget that they also have a varied menu of international and local dishes.  There are no wrong choices when ordering a pizza here - the thin, crackery crust has just the right level of crispiness - but the Luna (buffalo mozzarella/tomatoes/basil, basically a traditional pizza margherita) and the Tamarindo (mozzarella and manchego cheeses/prosciutto/sun-dried tomatoes) are can’t-miss selections.

PizziCorre
Calle Luna #255 , Old San Juan, San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-725-4025 / 787-725-4105

This  relatively small and hidden spot in Old San Juan lets customers order by the slice or whole. They even deliver!  Do yourself a favor and order the namesake Pizzicorre; it doesn’t get much better than the simplicity of mozzarella and pesto.

Family Friendly Fare

Faccio Pizza Isla Verde @ Howard Johnson

Magno’s Pizza Palace
26 Ave Domenech, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Phone: 787-764-3756

Situated in the heart of San Juan’s Hato Rey neighborhood on Domenech Avenue, Magno’s offers a spacious and amiable setting for any occasion - from a business lunch to a gathering of friends and family - at very reasonable prices.  The pizza might not be groundbreaking but it’s definitely worth the visit.

Faccio Pizza
Lobby Hotel Howard Johnson, Ave. Isla Verde, Carolina, PR
Ask for other locations
Phone: 787-268-7755

What started out as a single restaurant in the community of Cupey in the municipality of San Juan has branched out into seven franchises peppered throughout the greater metropolitan area.  Faccio’s does pizza well: a chewy, thin crust, savory sauce and a variety of fresh toppings (my personal favorite: chorizo).  Along with the pasta menu, their wide selection of beers and the easy-going ambiance make Faccio’s one of the island’s favorite dining spots.

Definitely Unique

Bistro Pizza
2424 Loiza Street, Punta las Marias
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00917
Phone:  787-982-2000

A wood-burning, brick oven isn’t the only thing that makes this Isla Verde eatery stand out; the variety of non-traditional toppings will have you scratching your head.  But bravery never goes out of fashion and, if you dare, you will find a whole new world of flavors (who knew nuts would taste good on a pizza?)  Even if you’re not feeling adventurous, you can still try a traditional pie and be blown away; Bistro Pizza is second to none.

La Cueva del Chicken Inn
507 Ave Ponce de Leon, San Juan, PR 00919
Phone: 787-753-1306

Let me state right off the bat that this is my favorite pizza in Puerto Rico.  It could be the fact that I’ve been going there since I was a kid.  Or it could just be the crunchy, chewy crust, the tangy sauce and the toasted cheese that make it an utter delight.  Feel free to add any topping you like, but you won’t get the same taste of perfection as a plain cheese pizza.  It doesn’t hurt that the place also makes great chicharrones de pollo (unbreaded pieces of fried chicken).

The South American Flavor Tour

Pizzaiolo's savory Brazilian-style pies

Pizzaiolo
47 Ave. Isla Verde
Carolina, Puerto Rico, 00984
Phone: 787-268-0622

One of several pizzerias lining the Avenida Isla Verde, Pizzaiolo offers authentic Brazilian flare, not only with the food, but with the atmosphere created by the music and decor.  The pies are covered with cheese, a small amount of sauce, and any fresh vegetables or meats that you can think of (sausage or chicken work very well but there is a wide array to choose from).  Do have a Caipirinha if you are there, it would be almost a crime if you didn’t.

Ferrari Gourmet
51 Ave. Isla Verde, Isla Verde, Carolina, PR 00979
Phone: 787-982-3115

A few yards away from Pizzaiolo we find another South American flavor, Ferrari Gourmet’s Argentinian cuisine.  Over forty different varieties of bold flavors and very hearty toppings  characterize the restaurant’s pizza menu.  A must for visitors staying along Carolina’s Isla Verde Hotel Strip.

Juan Pan Pizza
Ave. Piñeiro 1117, San Juan 00920, Puerto Rico
Phone: 787-792-6735

Another Argentinian pizzeria, this one on Piñeiro Avenue in San Juan.  The ingredients go all the way to the edge of the pizza making the small crust it has super crunchy and the cheese around it deliciously golden.  Very hearty, extremely satisfying and a quaint setting to boot.  You can’t miss the building either - a giant mural in honor of “The King of Tango” adorns one of its sides.

When In Condado…

Danny’s International
1351 Ashford Ave., Condado, San Juan, PR
Phone: 787-724-0501 / 787-721-4231

Usually packed, and for good reason, I would venture to say that Danny’s is my second favorite pizza on the list.  The soft, chewy dough and the unbelievable variety of specialty pizzas make each bite a pleasure unto itself.  They haven’t reinvented the wheel, they just make some darn fine pizza.  If you are feeling bold try the Puerto Rican specialty pizza with ground beef and ripe plantains (amarillos).

Via Appia
1350 Ashford Ave., San Juan, Puerto Rico
Phone: 725-8711

Featuring sidewalk tables for a better view of Avenida Ashford, Via Appia’s offering of Italian food and spectacular pizza make it one of the area’s most popular restaurants.  There’s also inside seating for those not interested in people-watching (but still interested in pizza-eating).

The Night Cap (by the slice)

Pizza City's sign (hard to miss, even at night)

Mike & Charlie’s
1024 Ave. Ashford, Condado, San Juan, PR
Phone: 787-722-2480 / 787-722-2484 / Fax: 787-723-0118

Another pizzeria in Condado, and open till late so you can get a slice (or two) before heading off to who-knows-where.  Small space but very friendly staff and pizza slices overflowing with toppings (they certainly don’t skimp on those).

Pizza City
5950 Ave Isla Verde
Phone: 787-726-0356

Let’s be honest, at 3 o’clock in the morning you’re not looking for anything complicated, you’ll settle for a nice cheese pizza straight out of the oven.  Just another reason to love Pizza City.  You could go there at anytime - the pizza is excellent - but it becomes magical when you’re desperate for something to eat and you see that great, big, kitschy sign welcoming you, and others, to sit down, relax, and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy the list (and the pizza).  Found a new pizza place worthy of our list? Let us know by replying below and we’ll set our pizza-tasting experts loose!

The World’s Best 10K was held on Sunday, March 1, 2009 on the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge in Carolina, Puerto Rico.  In the photo above you can see some of this year’s winners, including (from left to right) Sammy Kitawara (1rst - Kenya), Wilson Kipsang (3rd - Kenya), Moses Kipsiro (5th - Uganda), Kiplimo Kimutai (6th - Kenya), and Tilahun Regassa (8th - Ethiopia).  Click on the gallery below to see more event pictures, including some of the wackier runners (like this guy).  For a full list of winners and participants’ results click here.  To see more event pictures and find out how our own EyeTour.com runners did at the event, click here.

Puerto Rico is host to many sporting events each year, but most are not as high profile as the World’s Best 10K marathon, which has become in recent years a cultural phenomenon.  EyeTour decided to let its presence known in 2009’s event (you can see our EyeCandy photo gallery of the WB10K here) and sent our editorial team to follow two local runners ready to cross the WB10K finish line.  Our EyeTour.com ’sponsored’ runners, Alexis Gómez (25 - Trujillo Alto, PR) and Daniel Blanco (27 - San Juan, PR), gave it their all - but in the end could not out-pace this year’s winner, Sammy Kitawara from Kenya who ran an astounding 27:26 official time for the race.  Both however, were able to compete the race admirably, with Danny coming in at 1056 with 52:54 total time and Alexis placing 1919 with 59:42.  We’d like to congratulate them both for reaching their individual goals and thank them for wearing our (super cool and ultra-limited edition) EyeTour.com logo shirts.  Don’t worry guys, we’ll get ‘em next year!

Athletes flock from all around the globe every year to compete in one of Puerto Rico’s premiere road races, The World’s Best 10K (WB10K).  This year’s event starts on Friday, February 27, with a Fitness Festival at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum where participants can pick up their runner’s kit, and ends with the main race on Sunday, March 1st.  Now entering its 11th year, the World’s Best 10K has grown from a few thousand participants in 1998 to more than 11,000 finishers during last year’s competition.  The  starting line is located on the Río Piedras side of the Puente Teodoro Moscoso with the rest of the 10-kilometer course winding its way over the bridge - towards Carolina and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - and back again through José Barbosa Ave. and the Jesús Piñero Expressway.  For a map of the route, click here.

World-class marathoners - including Olympic gold medalist Dita Constantina-Tomescu, and  6-time defending WB10K champion Lornah Kiplagat - highlight the elite runners competing for the prize.  An exciting finish is expected from both the men’s and women’s divisions as this a certified Gold Label road race by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).  But the event is about much more than an exhilarating, championship-quality competition.  The majority of the inscribed participants are regular folk who enjoy exercise and will jog or walk the route.  Many others use the race as a way to challenge themselves and prove they can establish and meet their goals.  However, you don’t have to compete to participate in the festivities.  The positive, family-friendly atmosphere encourages spectators to join in on the fun by rooting for participants; you will undoubtedly find yourself cheering for complete strangers as they strive to reach the finish line.

Parking is available, for those arriving early, at the University of Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras campus ,where shuttles transport athletes and spectators to the event and back.  Although the main event is scheduled to start at 5:00pm on Sunday, March 1st, several activities are planned throughout the weekend and all along the 10-kilometer route, so be sure to check out the event schedule and official website.

Other links you might be interested in are:

For past winners and race results - click here.
For video streams of the event - click here.
For awards and prizes - click here.