Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Il Panificio is no stranger to the downtown lunch rush, its cases continually stocked with sandwiches, desserts and, of course, fresh large pizza pies. Looking at the case, just a piece of glass lies between the customer and the Italian goodness. Although all look delicious, with varied toppings from pepperoni to clams, the classic cheese is always enticing. Il Panificio prides itself on fresh dough without sugar, shortening or preservatives. Instead, the dough contains unbleached spring wheat flour, fresh cake yeast and a pinch of sea salt—and opting for a healthier pizza option pays no compromise to flavor. Here, you can order by the slice, or if you’re really hungry get a whole pie to go. When taking a bite, hot tomato sauce oozes out and can’t help but drip off the sides. The cheese follows as the crust tries to hold it all in, proving you can never go wrong with a classic. Crisp and rich, this winner of “Best Slice of Pizza” in the 2017 Best of SRQ Local competition is a perennial favorite.

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Il Panificio, 1703 Main St., Sarasota, 941-366-5570.