Detroit-Style Pizzas Available at Miami Beach’s True Loaf Bakery

In the vibrant Miami dining landscape, where Neapolitan pizza holds a strong lead, an unexpected competition has emerged – Detroit-style pizza. Distinct with its crispy, golden crust, melting toppings, and caramelized cheesy edges, this distinctive type of pie has been gaining ground in locations like Vice City Pizza in Kendall and Square Pie City in Midtown. But one surprising player has entered the race, and it’s bringing a fresh twist to the scene. Tomas Strulovic, who founded True Loaf bakery in Sunset Harbour, has been an integral part of the neighborhood for the past ten years, with his premium sourdough bread and pastries winning over local hearts. But he’s not a follower of trends – instead, Strulovic decided to step into the world of pizza, using his treasured oven (that churns out his bestselling loaves) to construct his version of Detroit-style pizza. What sets apart his pies is his innovative use of baguette dough that has been part of the True Loaf repertoire for a decade. His masterful manipulation of his bread-making skills has allowed him to combine two well-loved types of food into one. The outcome? An impressively thick, velvety base that beautifully showcases the toppings.
Click to enlarge True Loaf serves up Detroit-style pizzas with traditional cheese and tomato sauce, and a slightly piquant version with Ezzo pepperoni cups and Peppadew peppers. Photo by Michelle Muslera “Our pizzas differ from the standard Neapolitan style—which is baked at high temperature for mere minutes—by being painstakingly baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 22 minutes, an echo of conventional bread-making,” explains Strulovic. Following the Detroit-style recipe, large chunks of Wisconsin brick cheese lay atop the crust, giving a velvety, tangy taste that wonderfully complements a sweet, homemade tomato sauce. True Loaf’s pizza variants include the classic cheese and tomato sauce, along with a mildly hot version crowned with slightly burnt pepperoni cups and Peppadew peppers. These exclusive pies, which are available every Thursday and Friday from noon until stocks last, have earned a devoted clientele that often pre-order to ensure they get their pizza piece.
Click to enlarge This pizza style, characterized by its crunchy, golden crust, melting toppings, and caramelized cheesy edges, is getting more popular in Miami. Photo by Michelle Muslera Pizzas are available in medium and large sizes, as well as per slice, and are hot out of the oven by noon. And, if you miss the first serving, you need not worry as Strulovic promises his pizzas can be easily reheated without any loss in taste or texture. He suggests warming them in a hot oven for five minutes, resulting in a treat that tastes just as delicious, making it the perfect indulgence for weekends or Friday evenings. In addition to the expansion of his pizza menu to make them available daily, Strulovic tentatively plans to introduce more savory lunch options and alfresco seating, further establishing True Loaf as a preferred pitstop for quality food in the area. According to Strulovic, “the community’s fervent support suggests that our pizza journey is just the start of a thrilling new phase for True Loaf. We’re excited to treat our customers to what we’re planning next!”True Loaf. 1894 Bay Rd., Miami Beach; trueloafbakery.square.site. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.