Tucked away in Merced, this little pizza shack delivers legit New York-style pizza by the slice without trying too hard to be "authentic" every five seconds. The slices are large, around $4.50 each, and worth it. I tried the pepperoni and the Tucci special -- roasted tomatoes, pesto, and ricotta -- and that one absolutely stole the show. Simple combo, big flavor. The inside is definitely on the smaller side, so don't expect a big dine-in experience, but the staff was friendly and the food came out fast. Great spot when you want a solid slice without the usual mall-food-court disappointment pretending to be pizza. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pepperoni and tucci pizza slices - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

This spot has very minimal seating. It's more of a takeout place. However, the cheese pizza here is actually really good. It reminds me of New York style pizza. There's a bunch of cheese and they don't overdo it on the sauce. I also tried the Papas Island pizza personally, it was not for me. However, if you're into like sweet and savory together, I think it would be a good pizza for you. I didn't get to take a picture of the pizzas, but the slices were really big. Also, the staff is super nice here which is a bonus and they are quick. They had a line out the door and they were able to quickly get everyone's pizzas. I would totally come here again! read more

Little Oven Pizza - Menu - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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Cute, quaint little town in Cali. We stopped on our trip from Yosemite to Santa Cruz to grab a bite to eat. Best pizza I've ever had! It was the perfect amount of greasy. The crust was thin and crunchy, and also perfection! I worked in a pizza restaurant through high school, have traveled to some of the US states know for their pizza... nothing tops this! I only wish we'd ordered a pie and not just slices, so we could've eaten again on our trip! My daughters still talk about this pizza 6 months later! read more

Little Oven Pizza is a serious contender for best pizza I have ever had. The pizza is always so fresh and consistent. I've never had a bad experience whether ordering by the slice or when getting a whole pie. Top notch, excellent pizza! read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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This place is in a great location in Merced, I assume the downtown area. There are plenty of other shops and restaurants in the area. I came here with the family on a Sunday to grab a slice. There isn't much seating so good luck if you are trying to chill there and eat. There is some seating inside and a few outside, but it's more of a take and go place. Everyone there was very friendly and helpful with navigating the menu. I have family from NY and I visit there often, I will say this pizza is pretty darn close. Delicious! Ordered single slices yet it was so good I ended up ordering a whole pie to bring home, tasted just as good the next day. Now I know if I want a good slice of pizza this is the place to go. read more

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Why oh why. Over the last few years I noticed a decline in the quality of the ingredients and how the pizza is cooked. I did not want to believe my taste buds because this place was truly a gem. However, the last pizza I purchased was a sloppy mess. I asked for a well done pizza and got a half cooked pizza. Requested extra sauce and was charged, but no extra sauce on the pie. The pizza sauce was very salty, in the past it had a slight sweetness to it. Not any more. The dough had zero air pockets. It was not allowed to rise. The cheese was a total disaster, low cost oily mess. Some thing has changed over the last few years. A slow change, incremental and gradual. Please go back to your New York - Philadelphia roots and bring back the 5 stars. read more

Our favorite pizza place in Merced!! We always get their special slices. On weekends they have a deep dish selection that's not always posted but every one we e tried has been DELICIOUS!! We really like how thin the crust on the regular pizza is. So the focus is on the yummy topping combinations they come up with. ALSO, I didn't have much hope for a pre packaged salad in a cooler but MAN OH MAN is theirs good!! It has Parmesan and roasted pistachios on it and I like the honey mustard dressing best. Whenever I'm craving a salad but am too lazy to make one, I go there! The staff is just lovely as well even though they are cranking all day. read more

Pizza was very greasy and bland I don't know if it's because they were busy but not worth it , it was my first time trying it and definitely wasn't what I was expecting and we got a whole pizza . We ended up giving it away to a homeless man outside since we were not going to eat it . read more

Little Oven Pizza was recommended to us by our bar keep at 17th Street Public House. We walked over and to Little Oven to order a pizza to take back to 17th Street PH and have some beers. Little Oven is a quaint establishment with some seating inside and outside. We ordered a simple pepperoni pizza with the "cup" pepperoni. Our order took about 15 minutes since this place gets busy! Our pizza tasted absolutely AMAZING! We shared it with our friends and we all agreed that it was definitely one of the best pizzas that any of us have had. The pizzas come in one side and you can order sauces on the side. The staff were very helpful and friendly and we appreciated their help when we were trying to figure out how to order. When in Merced and you want great pizza, you definitely need to try Little Oven Pizza. You will absolutely love it! read more

Came here on recommendation from one of our hosts in Mariposa County. Reminds me of the good pizza places I visited in Atlanta. Definitely very popular, people kept coming in. I sat at the counter. I tried their two specials. Good flavor, but the pizza felt drier than you'd want. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Brooklyns Best & something else - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

It's a quiant lil store. You can sit outside or inside. The cashier was helpful with her service since it was our first time. They sell sliced pizzas and I need to go back and try a certain sliced pizza I was recommended. Again, I would go back to try to their other different pizzas. Go check them out when you are in Merced. read more

I can't believe I didn't know about this place until last week. This is probably a top 5 pizza I've ever had. It's thin and crunchy. There's nothing worst than a soggy pizza, not this one ! The cheese was perfect and the sizes are great. Only problem is they don't have ranch and you can't properly eat pizza without ranch read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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Great pizza on Main Street in Merced. Eat inside or outside or to go. Rated highly on best pizza in the state of California

Pizza served by the slice or whole 18 inch pie. A lot of options for toppings and every day they have two different slices as a special. I had a pepperoni and a slice of the "Baja" which had onion, pineapple and jalapeños. Pizza was so good I had to get a 3rd slice. Price is great , only down fall is they charge 75 cents per tiny ranch cup. In my opinion a ranch should come with a slice. Service was great. Inside the restaurant there's a nice bar to sit at incase you're just stopping by for lunch . read more

Little Oven Pizza - Menu - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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Always fresh and delicious pizza here! I love that they use seasonal and local ingredients and that they support the Merced community. Their location is super convenient, the ambiance is very chill and laid back and you're always greeted with a smile! read more

Love the pizza, honestly best I've had, I prefer their plain pies because their specials can sometimes be...different. But if you get the classics, it taste like a NY slice. read more

One of the best pizza places I've tried in a minute! Ambiance was great service was good pizza came out fast. I've been about three times already and every time the pizza has been delicious. The price for a slice is very affordable. read more

Excellent pizza! If you are in a hurry get here before they open as it takes awhile to get your pizza after ordering especially if they are making new pizzas during. Excellent pizza though and cute little hole in the wall place. They have two specials by the slice everyday that changes daily. Creative and delicious pizza by the slice! I adore little oven pizza. read more

Pros: Good service. Neat and clean dinning area. Food was alright. Cons: Small dining space and waiting area. A bit pricey for food quality and portion size. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pepperoni pizza. - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Easily my favorite pizza in the Central Valley. Maybe CA. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is it's incredibly difficult to order a whole pie. I've tried multiple times and it's never possible. The amount of $$$ they are losing daily must be staggering. I was there 10 minutes yesterday waiting for my slices to get heated up and they had 4-5 phone calls asking for whole pies and the wait was 90 min to 2 hours. That's crazy. read more

Quality, consistency, and locally sourced - if you're a thin crust pizza lover, you must check out this central valley gem. Embarrassed (but also not) to admit that I hit up this spot once a week. Little Oven takes you to flavortown with their freaking delicious specials! They update their Insta (@littleovenmerced) daily with what's cookin. Seeing their specials in my feed really is the highlight of my Fridays. They have a great rotation of flavors. My all time favs are peppa fig, wild bill, and brooklyn's best. Honestly, honestly, I'm satisfied with a simple cheese slice. It's that good! Spice it up with some chili oil, literal game changer. Some logistics for y'all: Price point - $3.75 for a classic slice, $4.25 for a specialty slice. Depending on the toppings, a whole pie will run you $20ish - $30ish bucks. Menu - Pizza by the slice, whole pies, a tasty salad that is premade and ready to go in their take out fridge, bottled carbonated bevs, fountain drinks, and a great beer selection. They bust out the Sicilian slice on occasion (I have yet to get my hands on one, they sell out so quick!) Location - Located in the heart of downtown Merced, parking is a hit or miss. The parking lot next to the theater is always a save bet. This spot is tiny. There's maybe 6 bar stools, 2 two seater tables, 1 four seater table, and 2 outdoor tables. Vibes - Straightforward, casual, quick service, chill. It's typically pretty busy in there, the line could seem daunting but they work fast. If you're ordering a whole pizza, definitely call it in ahead of time. OR you can be like me and order in store and have a slice and brew while you wait. Now I've never been to New York but I would imagine that this is the closest damn thing to legit thin crust pizza. read more

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Stopped by this awesome place for a slice. Usually I get pepperoni but they were still cooking it so I got this slice that was ready to be served, Manco. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I tried it. Let me tell you, it was good! The mushrooms were juicy and flavorful. Guess they soak the mushrooms before topping the pizza. Doesn't surprise me. This place is always good. It's small inside, and busy, but that just goes to show that although small, it's mighty and the locals enjoy it. read more

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The good reviews here don't lie; this place serves some mean pie! A taste of New York in the Central Valley, this cute little shop is located on Main Street in Merced. Parking is fairly easy to find alongside the street. The inside is quaint with a few tables and bar seating. We came in around 11:40am, ten minutes after opening, on a Thursday and just beat a line! I can tell this place is well-loved based on the line of people waiting for a slice. Service was efficient, and the pizza comes out fresh in a timely manner! They serve one-size whole pizzas - and most intriguingly, pizza by the slice! They have daily special pizzas, with slices available for $4.75. Their daily specials rotate, and for today in particular, they had the Sun King (white pizza with salami, sun-dried tomato, roasted garlic, and ricotta) and the Terra Nova (a red pizza with artichoke, black olives, spinach, and red onion). Though their specials change daily, I imagine you can't go wrong with getting a daily special, no matter what the flavor is! You can check out their Instagram (@littleovenmerced) to find out their specials of the day! My boyfriend and I shared slices of the pepperoni, the Sun King, and the Terra Nova, all of which were 10/10! We both agreed that this is the best pizza we've ever had. It's actually dangerous how good these pizzas are. Even the plain pepperoni one was incredibly flavorful and arguably the best pepperoni pizza I've ever had! The chili oil with the pizza is definitely a must. Little Oven packs a BIG punch! I want to try all their daily special flavors. *sigh* I wish I lived closer! This is definitely a MUST in Merced, and I'm so glad I got to try it. read more

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Pizza was top notch h like always. The pistachio salad is wonderful as well. Love the oil, garlic and herbs they leave out for you to use.

Very random hole in the wall pizza place with great pizza. The pictures don't do it justice. Because the pizza crust is really good and fresh. There's not too much space in the pizza place, but most people I saw were buying pizza by the slice. The service here is good. There's a restroom in the back which is nice and clean, but you have to go down a long hall to get there. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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This cute little pizza shop has some nice hot slices for your lunch. I was killing time waiting for my husband who had a lunch meeting and decided to stop in here and try a slice. I was surprised how small the place was inside but it smelled wonderful and there was a window seat available so I ordered the special slice with arugula and bacon on white sauce. After a short wait they called my order out and it was crispy, hot and had nice flavor. One slice was plenty but if you want more or have more people to share I think ordering a whole pizza would be a better deal for sure. The place was pretty busy at lunchtime on a Friday and I can tell why, this pizza is really good. I love the crust so thin and crispy and chewy at the same time. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pizza by the slice - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Eating at this place reminds my bf & I of June Pie pizza at June Lake which is a MUST the next time your there but for now LOP is thee best pizza place in Merced. We've been here a couple of times, and they sell pizza by the slice which are the size of a Costco slice just not nearly as greasy, the ingredients here are absolutely tasty and fresh, our fave has been the Sunset Pizza which has white sauce, sun dried tomatoes, and a balsamic reduction but there traditional pep pizza is def a hit as well! They sell craft beers and tasty ciders, there's no non-alcoholic beer selections, inside dining could get packed but people are always leaving, and I don't remember if there was a public restroom... When ordering on a busy night I would suggest calling in because you will be waiting for about 30-40 minutes unless you don't mind waiting and walking around downtown. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Aroma so delicious my pup couldn't get enough! - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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Well I sat a waited for almost an hour for this pizza and I have to say it's pretty good. If you are in the area be sure to phone in ahead because they are very busy doing by the slice and their specials, Be sure when you call in to ask them what the special of the day is because they change daily. I have to say I really like their crust, it's nice and thin and makes a good cheese to topping ratio! The ambience is nice and mellow & places to sit. read more

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Best NY style pizza in town!! Chewy crust, fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked!! If you want by the slice, they have that too.

Best pizza I've had on the west coast. Perfect slices every time. I love the thin crust and it's the closest thing to New York I've had!

Pizza is really good I love the variety of the specials I'm able to try pizzas i normally would not even try

Incredible pizza, inside is a little small but so cute. The staff is graciously efficient! Favorite pizza when downtown. read more

Little Oven Pizza - Pepperoni Slices - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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Wow! Is all I have to say. If you're a NY style of pizza fan...This is definitely your spot! They do full pies and by the slice. They offer a wide variety of selection, I do suggest trying the daily specials. I did and they were on point! They have a small but decent booze selection. I had the Booch Craft, super good! read more

Little Oven Pizza - Very tasty! - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

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The pizza here is very good! I love the daily specials they have & it's encouraged me to expand my pizza palate. The service is decent, most of the time I go it's pretty busy so that's understandable. The shop is pretty small so there's not much room to sit down and enjoy your slice. Only downside is if you want to order a whole pie you have to reserve a pick up time slot(which I have never heard of, but it must be what works for them since this is the best pizza in town!) This also makes sense since it is a small shop so ovens might be limited. I do hope one day they can expand and accommodate more people. For now, I would recommend going in person for slices, and potentially ordering whole pies several hours ahead of time. read more

My girlfriend absolutely loves this place, so it was on her 'must-try' list for my visit to Merced. Little Oven offers big city flavor in a small town, and honestly did not expect to have such amazing tasting pizza from this little shop. If you like thin, NY-style pizza, then you'll probably enjoy Little Oven. They have daily specials which they post on their Instagram, so definitely check them out to see their special creations. Naturally since it was my first time, I decided to go with a cheese slice and a special slice. A cheese slice is a good barometer on how good a pizza place is. If they can do classic well, the rest should be solid, and Little Oven hits the spot. The cheese to crust ratio is perfect, minimal flop, and perfect crispiness. Add some of their chili oil, and you'll get a little bit of spice if your life. The crust itself was so tasty. Crispy on the outside, soft of the inside. If you are looking for a quality pizza, this is definitely a place worth checking out. It's one of those pizzas that I can eat endlessly, and wonder afterwards how I just crushed a large pizza by myself lol For normal appetites, a single slice is plenty, plus they have a great selection of beers to wash it all down. read more

I really like the veggie options they have and their think crust New York style pizza never fails. Always a great place to grab a quick bite! read more

Love this place, best pizza in town by far.... Maybe even in the Central Valley. The classic pepperoni pizza is amazing but the specialty pizzas they have everyday really give you opportunities to try something new and delicious.... Me and my wife love the peppa fig pizza, our favorite slice they offer. It's a perfect balance of sweet savory and spice. Goat cheese with honey bacon jalapeños and jam... sounds crazy but it's the best pizza they have. Service is great and the ambience is chill. Great spot for anyone to go to for lunch or dinner. read more

Love their pizza, love their salad even more with the dressing! Would love to give them 5 stars, Unfortunately, the last two times I've ordered there, they were so unaccommodating. Ordering a large family salad and three pizzas. They like it ordered a day in advance, which I know from prior large orders. Yesterday, when I went by to order, there was a sign stating they were closed for "maintenance". Gal that answered stated they didn't have the greens. I asked if I could bring an unopened box of greens, no! After she stated she had plenty of dressing, pistachios and cheese, I asked if she could just throw that in a large bowl, I would pay the full price for salad and I would add my greens later, NO! The price for 12 single salads is $72. So frustrating and honestly ridiculous!!! Prior to posting, I asked to speak to manager and was denied, they were too busy, clerk was rude as well. Previous owners/manager was much easier to work with! So sad because I'd love to support local, small business! Love their pizza, love their salad even more with the dressing! Would love to give them 5 stars, but lacking on too many levels. read more

Pizza goes down real easily. The service is quick, usually with them cutting your bespoke slice the moment you order it. Ambiance is peaceful, somewhat urban too. It reminds me of pizza joints in LA, where they serve anyone as long as they're not naked. Don't be surprised if you see a homeless person or two outside the shop. They are the real tastemakers anyways. read more

Possibly the best pizza I've had in my life! Small little shop with limited seating, chill vibes. Been here several times now, Pizza is always fresh, always delicious, always perfect! Pepperoni is great, however I've made it my mission to try their daily special every time I go. Each time has been fantastic! Service is always great! 10/10 will contó to come back read more