Tomaso's in Cedarburg Serves Award-Winning Pizza

When Milwaukee-area families crave authentic, no-frills Italian comfort food, the answer has been the same for nearly five decades: Tomaso's in downtown Cedarburg. This unassuming pizzeria tucked along historic Washington Avenue has earned the devotion of multiple generations, winning Milwaukee Magazine's #1 Pizza title twice and remaining Ozaukee County's perennial favorite. Whether you're combining a pizza night with a stroll through Cedarburg's charming shops or grabbing takeout for a cozy evening at home, Tomaso's delivers exactly what North Shore families are looking for—exceptional pizza, reasonable prices, and an atmosphere where kids are genuinely welcome.

A unique pizza philosophy sets Tomaso's apart

What makes Tomaso's pizza different from every other slice you've had? The answer lies in their distinctive reverse construction: the mozzarella goes directly on the dough, followed by their tangy homemade sauce on top. This technique isn't just quirky—it's intentional. According to the restaurant, placing cheese on the bottom keeps their cracker-thin crust impossibly crispy while allowing the fresh toppings to shine. The result is a pizza that stays crunchy from first bite to last, even on the drive home. Their thin crust earns the most passionate reviews, with longtime customers describing it as "the best pizza in the state of Wisconsin" and worth driving 30 minutes every single week for decades.

Beyond pizza, the menu features Italian-American comfort classics including Janene's original three-layer lasagna (a recipe that's been on the menu since the Thomas family took over), hearty pasta dinners served with bread and salad, and the legendary Special "T" sandwich—an Italian sausage patty with melted cheese and sauce that customers demanded stay on the menu when ownership changed hands in 1976.

The essential details

Address: W63N688 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012 (in the heart of downtown Cedarburg)

Phone: (262) 377-7630 — If you get a busy signal during peak times, try their secondary line at (262) 377-7631

Website: tomasoscedarburg.com

Hours vary between dine-in and carryout, so plan accordingly. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Sundays. Tuesday and Wednesday, dine-in service runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. only, while carryout continues until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday offers full service from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for both dine-in and carryout. These hours can shift, so calling ahead is wise, especially for dine-in visits.

Price range: Moderate. A 12-inch thin crust cheese pizza starts at $16.75, with a loaded 16-inch large topping out around $25. Kids' menu items run $5 to $6, making family dining genuinely affordable. The lunch special before 4 p.m. offers a 10-inch thin crust with cheese and one topping for just $9—perfect for a midday Cedarburg adventure.

Nearly 50 years of family ownership

Tomaso's history begins in 1976 when Ray Thomas, then a high school history teacher and basketball coach at Kenosha Tremper High School, received a tip from his brother Jerry—vice principal at Cedarburg High—about a pizzeria for sale. Ray purchased the restaurant from the DiQuardo family, adapting their name to "Tomaso" (an Italian variation of Thomas) while preserving beloved menu items like the Special "T" sandwich.

Ray worked the kitchen during lunch while his wife Janene taught at Pleasant Valley School. Her original lasagna recipe remains on the menu today, a direct link to those early years. In 2006, the second generation took the reins when siblings Scott and Nicole Thomas purchased the restaurant. They bought the entire historic building—which dates to the late 1880s when it housed a furniture store on one side and an undertaker on the other—in 2009.

The Thomas family's commitment to Cedarburg extends far beyond the restaurant. They sponsor four scholarships at local high schools, have employed dozens of Cedarburg and Grafton students over the years, and support the Rivoli Theatre restoration and Cedarburg Fire Department.

What families will love about dining at Tomaso's

The atmosphere here is refreshingly unpretentious—a cozy, old-school pizzeria with a local bar feel rather than a polished chain experience. High chairs are available, and the dedicated kids' menu offers familiar favorites: grilled cheese with fries, chicken tenders with fries, child portions of spaghetti or ravioli, and a 6-inch personal pizza, all priced at $5 to $6. For families navigating dietary restrictions, Tomaso's offers gluten-free, cauliflower, and whole wheat crust options.

One important note for parents: Tomaso's operates on a self-service model. You'll seat yourself, order at the bar, and pick up your food, drinks, plates, and silverware when ready. There's no traditional table service. For families with toddlers or multiple kids, this can add a layer of logistics—which is exactly why many regulars recommend carryout as the easier option, especially on busy weekend evenings when the small dining room fills quickly.

Menu highlights worth trying on your first visit

The thin crust pizza with sausage (locally sourced Klement's Italian sausage) consistently earns the highest praise. The restaurant's bestseller combines cheese, sausage, onion, and mushroom. For adventurous families, specialty pizzas include the Margherita with fresh basil, a Greek option with artichokes and kalamata olives, and the Ultimate Hawaiian featuring mandarin oranges alongside traditional ham and pineapple.

Don't overlook the homemade potato chips served with cheese and jalapeños or salsa—reviewers call them "off the charts." The garlic bread receives consistent praise, and the unique pickle fries have developed a following. For heartier appetites, the pasta dinners include bread and salad, with the chicken parmesan and house lasagna standing out as comfort food essentials.

Awards and recognition

Tomaso's proudly displays their credentials as Milwaukee Magazine's #1 Pizza winner in both 1994 and 2010, along with multiple Ozaukee County Best Pizza honors. The restaurant holds TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award, placing it in the top 10% of restaurants on the platform. Google reviews average 4.6 out of 5 stars, with customer loyalty spanning decades—many reviewers mention 15, 25, even 35-year relationships with the restaurant.

The praise focuses consistently on the distinctive pizza: "If you prefer thin crust pizza, this is one of the very best in the country," writes one TripAdvisor reviewer. Another notes, "Cracker crust, cheese on the bottom then their unbelievable secret family sauce...Been coming here since 1991, even now we live 30 minutes away and come once a week."

Practical tips for a smooth visit with kids

Parking is street-only in downtown Cedarburg, and spaces can fill quickly on weekends or during Cedarburg's popular festivals. Arriving early helps, and weekday visits offer the most relaxed experience. For dine-in lunch, aim for right at 11 a.m. before the small space fills.

The daily carryout special represents exceptional value: purchase any large thin crust or deep dish pizza and receive a free 10-inch cheese pizza with one topping (maximum two free pizzas per order). For families, this essentially means the kids eat free. Tomaso's also offers par-baked and no-bake pizzas you can finish at home—devoted fans from Chicago are known to bring coolers specifically to stock up.

If your Cedarburg visit coincides with the Strawberry Festival in June or Wine & Harvest Festival in September, look for Tomaso's outdoor booth selling pizza by the slice. The bonus: Scott Thomas operates an antique Amish-made, John Deere-powered ice cream machine, churning out French vanilla with hot fudge and caramel toppings that draws crowds every festival.

Conclusion

Tomaso's isn't trying to be anything it's not—and that authenticity is precisely what keeps families returning across generations. The cheese-under-sauce pizza style takes a bite or two to appreciate, but converts become fiercely loyal. The no-frills atmosphere, order-at-the-bar service, and compact dining room won't suit every occasion, but for a genuine taste of Cedarburg family tradition at prices that won't strain the budget, Tomaso's delivers exactly what it promises. Nearly 50 years of continuous family ownership speaks louder than any marketing campaign ever could. Grab a booth, order a thin crust with sausage, and discover why this little pizzeria on Washington Avenue has been a North Shore institution since Gerald Ford was president.