May 6th, 2025

Hey everyone, welcome back to the ongoing quest for the best frozen pizza money can buy! You know me, always prowling the frozen food aisles, hoping to unearth a gem that brings restaurant quality to the convenience of my own oven. On my latest expedition through the vast wonderland that is Woodman’s frozen pizza section (seriously, that place is an adventure!), a name synonymous with Detroit-style pizza jumped out at me: Buddy’s Pizza.

Seeing the brand hailed as the original Detroit pizza spot available frozen? Intrigue levels: high. Could this finally be the shortcut to that authentic, thick-crust, cheesy-edged perfection without booking a flight to Michigan? Let’s dive in and see if this frozen offering lives up to the legendary name.

What Exactly Is Detroit Style Pizza?

First things first, for those who might be unfamiliar, Detroit-style pizza isn’t your average round pie. Its hallmarks are:

1. Rectangular Shape: Traditionally baked in rectangular, deep-sided steel pans (originally rumored to be automotive parts pans!).
2. Thick, Airy Crust: It’s substantial but should have a light, almost focaccia-like texture inside.
3. Crispy Cheesy Edges: This is key! Cheese (often Brick cheese) is spread right to the edges, caramelizing against the hot pan during baking, creating a super crispy, savory crust border (sometimes called ‘frico’).
4. Toppings Under Sauce (Often): Cheese and toppings usually go on first, with tomato sauce ladled on top in thick lines or dollops, either before or sometimes after baking.

Buddy’s frozen version definitely looks the part, promising that thick crust and featuring sauce stripes on top.

First Impressions & The Marketing Hype

Pulling the Buddy’s Sausage Pizza from its packaging, the first thing that strikes you is the weight – this is a hefty pie, tipping the scales at 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Visually, it ticks the Detroit boxes: rectangular, thick crust, and brick cheese covering the surface right to the edges. Sitting atop the cheese were, well, let’s call them “pellet-sized” pieces of sausage, and those characteristic three thick lines of tomato sauce ran lengthwise.

Now, the box carries some impressive claims, referencing Buddy’s accolades like “Best Pizza Spot in the US – Food & Wine” and “One of the 5 Best Pizza Places.” BUT, pay attention here: these awards are for the Buddy’s restaurant experience, not specifically this frozen product you’re holding. That’s a crucial distinction to keep in mind as we head to the oven.

The Bake

Preparing this pizza takes a slightly different approach than most. The instructions call for placing the frozen pizza directly on the rack in a COLD oven. You then set the temperature (425°F conventional / 400°F convection) and let it bake for about 28-32 minutes. No preheating needed, which is interesting. It baked up pretty much as expected in that timeframe.

The Taste Test: Hype vs. Reality

Alright, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. How did this “legendary” pizza taste in its frozen form?

• The Crust: Let’s start with the high point. The edges delivered on that signature Detroit-style promise – delightfully crispy, cheesy, and savory. That part was genuinely good. The crust itself was certainly thick, as advertised. However, beyond that crispy edge, the interior texture was just… okay. It lacked the airy, flavorful character you’d hope for in a premium Detroit-style pie. It felt a bit dense and unremarkable.
• The Sauce: Those thick, prominent stripes of sauce looked promising, but sadly, they were incredibly bland. It tasted mostly like thick tomato paste without much seasoning, depth, or brightness. A real missed opportunity, especially given its top-billing placement.
• The Sausage: My “pellet” description wasn’t far off. The texture just managed to avoid feeling completely processed and smooth, and there was a faint hint of fennel-like flavor, which was appreciated. But overall, it was underwhelming – lacking a satisfying meaty bite or robust sausage flavor.
• The Cheese: The brick cheese melted well, providing the necessary gooey factor and contributing to that great crispy edge. Taste-wise, though, it was pretty standard for frozen pizza. Not bad, but certainly not exceptional.

Overall: The eating experience felt disappointingly flat. While the crispy cheese edge was a definite plus, it simply couldn’t compensate for the bland sauce, mediocre sausage, and generally uninspired crust. The individual components just didn’t sing, and they certainly didn’t come together to create pizza magic.

The Price & The Verdict: Is Buddy’s Frozen Pizza Worth It?

Now, we arrive at the sticking point: the price. This pizza clocked in at nearly $14 at my local Woodman’s. And frankly, that’s where this review shifts from “mediocre” to “disappointing.”

For that premium price tag, you expect a premium product – something that genuinely elevates the frozen pizza game. Buddy’s frozen pizza, unfortunately, doesn’t achieve that. It performs like a pizza you might pay $7 or $8 for. The quality simply does not justify the cost.

My Final Take: Unless your only goal is to find an expensive, thick-crust frozen pizza with a great crispy cheese edge, and you have very low expectations for the sauce and toppings, then maybe give it a whirl.

For everyone else seeking genuine pizza satisfaction from the frozen aisle? I have to recommend you STEER CLEAR. There are far better tasting and far better value frozen pizzas available, including other thick-crust or pan-style options. This felt more like paying for the name recognition than for a quality product.

Your Thoughts?

Have you tried Buddy’s frozen pizza? Did you have a better experience, or did you feel the same way? Do you have a favorite frozen Detroit-style pizza brand that actually delivers the goods? Let me know down in the comments – the quest for the perfect frozen pizza continues!