Italian Restaurants near Indian River

“I've eaten pizza all over the country, and every once in a while you come across a place that completely exceeds your expectations. That's exactly what happened with the Vivio Special at Vivio's in Indian River, Michigan.

I know Dave Portnoy judges a pizza by the cheese slice, and I actually agree with that. It's the best way to judge the fundamentals of a pizza. But if you ever find yourself at Vivio's, you're missing out if you don't order the Vivio Special.

This pizza is loaded with mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, fresh mushrooms, green peppers, and onions (I skip the optional anchovies). On paper, it sounds like a classic supreme. In reality, it's one of the best specialty pizzas I've ever had.

The crust is what really sets it apart. It's perfectly crisp on the outside while staying soft and chewy on the inside. The sauce has incredible flavor without being overly sweet or acidic, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio is spot on. Every topping tastes fresh, and nothing overpowers anything else. Every bite has the perfect combination of crust, cheese, sauce, meat, and vegetables. It's one of those pizzas where you immediately know the people making it genuinely care about the product they're putting out.

I've had pizza all over the country, and the Vivio Special deserves to be mentioned with some of the best specialty pizzas I've eaten. My score is an 8.6 out of 10. That's an outstanding score, especially for a loaded specialty pizza, and one I'd happily order again and again.

Dave Portnoy, here's my challenge to you. I know your system is based on cheese pizza, and I respect that. But if you're ever traveling through Northern Michigan, stop into Vivio's. Order the cheese to keep it official, then order the Vivio Special. I think this little hidden gem might surprise you.

Northern Michigan has a lot to offer, and this pizza is one of its best-kept secrets.

One bite... everybody knows the rules. 🍕“

“We got to eat here Saturday night while visiting friends. I have to say that it was the best food I think I've ver had. I wish Chef Dean had a restaurant in our hometown. Amazing!“