Upon walking into d’Bronx, one immediately notices the signatures all over the walls and booths. This makes sense, given the restaurant’s status as a local favorite for New York-style pizza. Although its pizza is ultimately good, d’Bronx doesn’t quite compare to other, less popular local pizzerias.

While both the toppings and the crust of the pizza were delicious separately, the combination of the two was less than satisfactory. The cheese and sauce complemented each other well. The crunchy, brick oven crust didn’t quite fuse with the toppings, though, leaving the pizza with conflicting tastes.

The previously mentioned wall signatures do add a nice touch. While the vibe of the restaurant and the pop music coming through the speakers don’t entirely match, that has debatable significance in terms of the atmosphere. The restaurant’s elongated layout isn’t the best, but it works. Nothing about the service lacked, as the slices came out within a reasonable time, except it was slightly impersonal.

If you’re looking for a tried and tested local slice of pizza, then go to d’Bronx. Taking an extra step to seek out a lesser-known pizzeria — like Joe’s Pizza Buy the Slice, suggested by d’Bronx employees — will likely lead to finding a more flavorful and cohesive slice.

Joe’s Pizza Buy The Slice shares a space with and sells pizza in Kelly’s Westport Inn, a bar which is commonly accepted to be the oldest building in Kansas City, so it might seem like it’d be hard for the pizzeria to receive the attention it deserves. But the extra-friendly service and unique style of pizza at Joe’s make it feel nearly as important to Kansas City as Kelly’s.

The crust at Joe’s is thicker and softer than most other places, which helps the pizza to stand out. The sauce’s flavor has depth, and the interplay between the sauce and cheese make the entire slice feel cohesive. Though Joe’s is greasier than most pizza, it’s a worthy tradeoff for a great-tasting slice.

Joe’s may seem almost too small for a pizzeria, but it still manages to fit two tables and lots of wall decorations. The service is quick and the employees are personable, and the classic rock coming through the speakers accompanies the restaurant nicely.

The originality of the pizza and light atmosphere at Joe’s Pizza Buy The Slice make up for its small size, and establish Joe’s as a go-to for pizza whenever in Westport. When not in Westport, it’s not worth the trip to Joe’s — especially when Johnny Jo’s Pizzeria, a restaurant that two Joe’s employees suggested, has better pizza near the Country Club Plaza area.

Though Johnny Jo’s Pizzeria is a superb place for a slice of pizza, that may be hard to imagine at first. After all, the restaurant is about 12 feet wide and only has two parking spaces and one table. But that’s exactly what makes it so fantastic.

The slices of pizza at Johnny Jo’s have a flavor profile unlike most others. This comes from the amazing sauce, with spices that add depth that most other pizzas don’t have. The hand-tossed crust was the perfect vessel for this, and the heated-to-order style made the cheese perfectly melted for a thoroughly great combination of tastes. The variety of pizza at Johnny Jo’s outshines most other pizzerias, with slices ranging from mozzarella and basil to tomato and artichoke.

Johnny Jo’s also serves glass-bottled sodas, which accompany their slices of pizza well. The service doesn’t stand out, but the pizza is served quickly. If you’re planning to eat there, don’t worry — the open door helps the restaurant to feel less crowded despite its size. Do check into the hours, though, as the restaurant closes mid-day and its lunch and dinner schedules don’t match up.

Perhaps the true test of how great the pizza at Johnny Jo’s is that it’s worth driving into Kansas City and eating at such a small restaurant just for its flavorful slices. Of the three places reviewed, Johnny Jo’s was definitely the best place to end on.