Fortunato Brothers Pizza of Towson

User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I am a pizza fiend. Have been since I was a kid. Although I rarely venture beyond cheese and pepperoni when I find pizza I like I can't get enuff. And I have the bank account and waistline to prove it.

Fortunately Philadelphia where I live has some GREAT pizza. A trip through the "best of" list will yield some favorites but rarely yield disappointment. With Philadelphia's rich Italian heritage good pizza is expected.

The same was expected of Baltimore and on recent visits I began trying to find good pizza. I've checked out Fells Point - nuthin. Classic places in East Baltimore - still disappointing.

I was excited though when friends suggested Fortunato's. I saw their Best of BMore designation and nothing but glowing 5-star reviews.

Could I have finally found good pizza in Baltimore?

Sadly, no.

It's not that Fortunato's is bad - it's not. It's just that, if this is the best Baltimore has to offer, I need to find some retail space quick!

The first thing you notice is that a Fortunatos pizza is HEA-VEY! A peek inside the box and u see why. There is a ton of cheese. For me that is typically a good thing. Here however it just misses

the crust doesn't help either. In the NY style pizzas I've had, the crust is thin and light. Here is it thick and doughy with an almost floury taste.

For me the best sauces are light and tomatoey lightly cooked with hints of olive oil and basil and spice. Fortunato's sauce seemed dark and heavy like old time Italian "gravy" which was simmered all day.

Great restauranteurs have made fortunes on heavily simmered sauces like that but it's just not my cup of tea.

I know what u are thinking. Another Philly snob hatin' on BMore. But on your next visit to Philadelphia I would urge you to, instead of going to 9th and Passyunk and trying to wolf down a cheesesteak (ordered 'wit' or 'widout') venture a few blocks to 13th and Tasker and order a "Mamas homestyle" from Franco and Luigi's or a "whole Pep" from King of Pizza in Cherry Hill and THEN go back and get a Fortunato's and see if you don't understand.

To be fair though the pizza I got was VERY nicely cooked with the cheese well melted. I also have a feeling that this may be one of those pizzas that ends up being GREAT the next morning.

Also to be fair it's possible they caught me on a bad day. Unfortunately I will never find out. I came, I saw, I tasted and unfortunately the search must go on

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a New York native, I was utterly disappointed when I moved here and couldn't find a decent slice of pizza. Well, thank the Gods for Fortunato's. Not only does it taste like a pizza should taste, the prices are incredible compared to other Baltimore pizzerias. I get a large pie, half pepproni, for just over 10 bucks! While other independent pizza joints charge upwards towards 15 for a cheese pie that's the size of a Domino's pizza and just as tasteless.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Yummmm: I love me some Fortunato's pizza! I live way in southwestern Baltimore county but would drive out there just for some pizza. The crust and sauce is sooo good. And yes, the tomato bread is awesome. Try it folks and you won't be disappointed. I just wish they accept credit/check cards, it'll be more convenient.

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