Restaurant in Kenmore, United States
Two styles, consistent results, no phone.
Jay's is a focused Kenmore pizzeria worth booking if you want serious Neapolitan or Detroit-style pizza with genuine ingredient discipline — DOP cheeses, long-leavened dough, and a tight menu that rewards attention. Chef Joe Powers keeps it consistent and casual. Online ordering only, easy to book, and a strong value for the quality delivered.
If you visited Jay's once for the Neapolitan and left satisfied, a second visit is worth planning around the Detroit-style — not because the menu changes dramatically, but because the two formats reward separate attention. The 12-inch Neapolitan and the thick, pan-baked Detroit are genuinely different propositions, and rushing both into one visit means you're half-committing to each. Come back with a clearer agenda and you'll get more out of it.
Jay's is the kind of neighborhood pizzeria that earns repeat business through consistency rather than novelty. Chef Joe Powers has built a focused operation around two styles — Neapolitan and Detroit , executed with the kind of ingredient discipline that's rare at this price point. DOP cheeses, local vegetables, well-hydrated long-leavened dough: these aren't marketing points, they're the actual reason the pizza tastes different from the average Buffalo-area slice. If you're in Kenmore and want serious pizza without a tasting-menu price tag, this is where to go.
The Neapolitan format , 12 inches, served whole on trays , is the right order for eat-in. The dough is long-leavened and highly digestible, which matters if you're eating a full pie. The 'Nduja option delivers heat that's intense without losing balance, and the Speck & Parmigiano reads as the more refined of the two, with a cleaner finish. Both demonstrate that the kitchen understands restraint: toppings are chosen to complement the crust, not overwhelm it.
The Detroit-style is a different eating experience and arguably the stronger take-away choice. The structure holds well, and the crispiness on the underside is consistent , a technical detail that Detroit-style often gets wrong when volume picks up. The Hot Cherry Pepper is the direct call if you want heat with character. The Viva Mexico is the more interesting order, though without knowing its current composition from a live menu, the safe move is to check the online ordering system before committing.
Jay's takes orders online only , there's no phone line. For most casual visits, this means booking is easy and can be done at short notice. Walk-ins and same-day online orders are generally achievable; this is not a venue where you need to plan weeks ahead. The absence of phone ordering is a deliberate operational choice, and the efficiency of the online system reportedly compensates for it. If you're planning a group order or a pick-up for a specific time, give yourself a buffer of at least a day to confirm availability.
Quick reference: Online ordering only. Easy booking. Same-day orders generally available. No phone reservations.
Jay's is well-matched to food-focused visitors who want to understand the current state of Buffalo-area pizza without paying destination-restaurant prices. The dual-format menu gives you a genuine comparison point between two distinct pizza traditions in a single visit, which is useful if you're working through what Neapolitan and Detroit styles actually mean in practice. Solo diners and small groups of two to four will find the format easy to navigate. For a broader look at where to eat in the area, see our full Kenmore restaurants guide.
If you're pairing dinner with other plans, check our full Kenmore bars guide or our full Kenmore experiences guide for what else is nearby. For overnight stays, our full Kenmore hotels guide covers the options. Wine drinkers planning a broader trip through the region can also reference our full Kenmore wineries guide.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay’s | A neighborhood pizzeria in Buffalo, New York, serving up classic Neapolitan and Detroit-style dishes with modern flair.; A cornerstone of the pizza scene in the Buffalo area, Jay's has won over a loyal clientele thanks to its essential, friendly, and quality-focused format. The casual and welcoming restaurant offers two distinct styles: the 12" Neapolitan, served whole on trays, and the Detroit-style, thick and crispy, ideal for take-away. The dough is well-hydrated, long-leavened, and highly digestible, with consistently precise cooking. Excellent options include the 'Nduja, intense yet balanced, and the Speck & Parmigiano, with a refined taste. There is a great attention to ingredients, with DOP cheeses and local vegetables. The Detroit-style also impresses with its structure and crispiness, with versions like the Hot Cherry Pepper or the more original Viva Mexico. The service is only online, no phone, but the efficiency is impeccable. A neighborhood pizzeria with a contemporary spirit, where pizza research is expressed with personality and consistency. | Easy | — | |
| Le Bernardin | French, Seafood | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Lazy Bear | Progressive American, Contemporary | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atomix | Modern Korean, Korean | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atelier Crenn | Modern French, Contemporary | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Benu | French - Chinese, Asian | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in Kenmore for this tier.
Jay's is one of the more focused pizza operations in the Buffalo area, with a clear two-format approach and DOP-sourced ingredients. If you want a wider menu or table service with phone reservations, look at other Buffalo-area pizzerias with full dine-in setups. Jay's is the call when dough quality and ingredient sourcing matter more than ambiance or a broad menu.
Jay's is a casual neighborhood pizzeria on Delaware Ave in Kenmore — come as you are. There is no dress expectation beyond what you'd wear to any relaxed local spot. Anything beyond jeans and a clean shirt is overdressed.
For eat-in, go with the 12-inch Neapolitan — the long-leavened dough is built for that format. The 'Nduja and the Speck & Parmigiano are the standout options based on available sourcing information. If you're taking food away, the Detroit-style is the better pick; the Hot Cherry Pepper and Viva Mexico versions are specifically noted for their structure and crispiness.
Jay's is a neighborhood pizzeria with a casual setup, so it can handle small groups without issue. Larger parties should order online in advance since there is no phone line. The tray-based Neapolitan format and shareable Detroit squares work well for groups splitting multiple styles.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
