$American
The team rises before the crack of dawn every day to fire up the ovens and make trays of gorgeous, fluffy rounds of focaccia. From buffalo chicken with green goddess to prime rib with smoked horseradish cream, this bread serves as the base for satisfying, hulking sandwiches that are finely constructed and come in half portions for those with more petite appetites. The simple operation has a few outdoor tables along with counter seats at the edge of the kitchen, which also turns out fine soups and salads.
$Pizza
Find one of the city’s best pizzas buried in an assuming strip center. The team uses a sourdough base for two very different results: Artisan round is crispy and crackly, while Detroit square has the rise of a layer cake and the fluffiness and lightness of a cloud. Both eat as well as they look; the MVP featuring marinara and dueling vodka and pesto sauces is a winner. Though the menu offers a number of apps and sandwiches, a satisfying Caesar salad blanketed in parmesan and black garlic breadcrumbs is all you need before diving into the main event.