1104 South Clarke Road, Suite 70
Ocoee, FL 34761 (FL-046)
Orlando has always had its fair share of pizza places. We have fine dining pizza, fast food pizza, Chicago style pizza, New York pizza, Mexican pizza, etc. That list can go on and on forever, but until recently, Orlando did not have an authentic “Detroit Style” pizza. So please say hello to Jet’s Pizza.
In case you aren’t familiar with “Detroit Style”, let me give you the rundown. Detroit style pizza is a type of pizza developed in Detroit, Michigan. It is a square pizza similar to a Sicilian style pizza that has a thick and crispy crust and can be topped with just about everything. The square shaped pizza is the result of being baked in a square pan, which originally was not a pizza pan. With the pizza originating in the motor city of Detroit, often times industrial parts trays, which were originally made to hold small parts in factories were used to make the pizza. Nowadays, I’m sure they have specially made customized pans for baking, because after all…I am not sure how sanitary those old parts trays were.
The crust of a Detroit-style pizza is noteworthy because in addition to occasionally being twice baked, it is usually baked in a well oiled pan to a chewy medium well done consistency that gives the bottom and edges of the crust a nice crunchy texture. When combined with melted cheese, sauce, and toppings of your choice, this kind of pizza makes your mouth happy.
Since opening their first pizzeria, Jet’s has been selling pizza, submarine sandwiches and salads that have been pleasing the palates of people everywhere. But the single menu item that Jet’s Pizza has become famous for, above anything else, is their signature deep-dish square pizza. It is this style of pizza, and the way it is exclusively prepared, that differentiates Jet’s Pizza from any other pizzeria. Jet’s is known for being the originator of the 8 corner pizza and its square Detroit Style pizza.
Just like with the Chicago deep dish pizza, there are many claims to who started what first, but I will leave that debate for another time. The original location of Jet’s Pizza was founded in 1978 by Eugene Jetts, in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He and his brother John converted a former convenience store into a pizza store when Eugene was seeking a house. Its first franchise opened in 1990, and currently there are over 300 franchised and store owned locations across the U.S.
I recently had the opportunity to sample Jet’s at the East Colonial location closer to UCF in the all new Town Park shopping center. There are currently three Central Florida locations for Jet’s and two of them are on East Colonial drive. The first one to open was the Town Park location that is franchised by Nathanael Palmer. He is in charge of the east side of town towards UCF, and is not affiliated with the other Colonial Drive location.
Tastes Of OrlandoFor our starter we had the Jet’s Bread with Bacon. Fresh baked bread topped with mozzarella cheese, butter, garlic, Romano cheese and bacon. Sauce for dipping is included, but it’s so good by itself you don’t really need any.
Tastes Of Orlando
Of course we had to order the Deep Dish “Detroit Style” Pizza. We got half cheese and half pepperoni. The crust on this pizza was magnificently buttery, crunchy and chewy all at once. Very delicious.
Tastes Of Orlando
The Italian Deli Boat was amazing. This was the perfect marriage of a calzone and a classic Italian hot deli sub. It is served with ham, lettuce, provolone cheese, salami and tomatoes and comes with an Italian dressing sauce for dipping.
I was really impressed with Jet’s Pizza. In my opinion, it was better than any other takeout or delivery brand that I have had, and I’ve had em all. That’s what makes them good, its restaurant quality food with house made bread and sauces all cooked to perfection and loaded with flavor.
Stop by and see them, or give them a call sometime soon…you will thank me for it.