Village Pizza is run by Jake Holton and Asher Miller, who got into the Dovercourt Village independent business with their coffee shop Hub up the road.

You won't find any coffee here, but you will be able to obtain slices, pies, and salads, as well as beer, wine and spirits. They even have a deal where if you buy two slices you get a free pop. They have other deals too, like a 14" Margherita pizza, salad and pop for $20. Pie prices vary, but every slice is $5.

It all starts with pizza chef Cale Elliot-Armstrong, formerly of elevated Toronto hotspots like Terroni and Canoe . When they started Village Pizza, the guys had the idea that maybe they could sell upscale Neapolitan-style pizzas in a laid back takeout format. They age their dough for three days, which both makes it taste better and is easier on your system.

One of their best and most original pies is the Thanks, Obama! ($26) topped with BBQ Spam, pineapple, tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan. They try to get as many products as possible locally, organic if they can, from places like Sanagan's . The inclusion of unpretentious canned Spam, however, attests to Village Pizza's playfulness.

The two salads available are a caesar salad and a beet salad, both $8. The caesar is made with baby kale and still comes with the anchovy, capers and bacon you might expect to be omitted from a takeout salad, and the beet salad is actually mostly beets and not filler greens.

The Hungry Vegan ($24) is a meatless treat, made with tomato sauce, grilled red pepper, zucchini, eggplant, caramelized onions, and a dressed arugula salad that seems like it could be amazing on its own.

Following suit with the laidback vibe, Village Pizza also serves a classic pepperoni pizza for $26, as well as the basic margherita (think elevated cheese pizza) for $23. You can also create your own custom pie if you like.

Pizza's BFF, booze, is woefully missing from many big chains, and at Village Pizza you can get a $5 drink with your $5 slice. They serve a range of tall cans, from Sidelaunch's Wheat Ale to Left Field 's Eephus Oatmeal Ale, and even cider occasionally. They also serve wine, but if you're looking for something even stronger, order a Wild Turkey or a Fernet Branca.

This Dovercourt spot was home to a jerk spot for about twenty years before changing hands from Yauca's Lounge next door to a sandwich spot for a few breaths.

The boys of Village Pizza have been hard at work redoing the entire interior themselves. Seating is communal. Their own delivery service operates from 6 - 11 at night.

Photos by Hector Vasquez