Plus, a new Bartow eatery
 
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77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

 
High Tower Roofing
 

Let’s get cheesy, Lakeland

Dig in to the best pizza in Lakeland

A neon sign says "Pizza by the slice"
By the slice or by the box — either way, we’re eating it. | Photo by @@quickysawicki
Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. Lakeland’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — and we keep finding ways to top ourselves. If you’re on the quest for the perfect slice, we’ve pie-oneered a list of more than a dozen places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.

Deep dish
Jet’s Pizza, Multiple locations
This Detroit-style pizza is a fan favorite. Pro tip: Text your order to get 15% off menu-priced pizza.

Primo’s Pizzeria, 1031 S. Combee Rd.
Looking for Chicago-style pies? Primo’s Pizzeria is a local favorite for deep dish bites — you can get full pizzas or single slices. Did we mention online orders get a 5% discount?

LAL_KCs_Artisan_Pizza_Aug_2023

KC’s Artisan Pizza was highly-recommended by readers during our pizza bracket.

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Photo by @lakelandbites

Not to sound cheesy (vegan/dairy-free)
KC’s Artisan Pizza and Wine Bar, 6645 S. Florida Ave.
Check out the menu of vegan and vegetarian pies — we recommend the vegan white pizza for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Mellow Mushroom, 3555 Lakeland Highlands Rd.
This trippy eatery can make any pizza gluten-free or vegan. When you get thirsty, don’t worry — there are 30+ drafts, plus cocktails, mocktails, and more on the menu.

A pepperoni pizza held in front of the J. Burns' Pizza sign and front facade

A small pizza is the perfect size for a lunch break.

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Photo by @jburnspizzashop

If you can’t take the wheat (gluten-free)
J. Burns’ Pizza Shop, Multiple locations
We’re not just saying this is a local favorite. This biz was the runner-up in our 2023 pizza bracket, and the top comment sent in by voters was their love for J. Burns’ gluten-free pies.

That 716 Pizza Joint, 1950 S. Combee Rd.
Build your own cauliflower crust pizza at this local spot that also serves wings, salads, sandwiches, calzones, and more.
More pies to please
Asked

Settle a debate: Is leftover pizza best eaten cold or hot?

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Events
Tuesday, Aug. 15
  • B-I-N-G-O | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Join this weekly game to play for prizes while sipping on drinks from the bar at happy hour prices.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
  • Chair Yoga | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 10-11 a.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $12-$17 | This yoga class is perfect for beginners, anyone with limited mobility, and those recovering from injury — registration is required.
  • Beginning Genealogy | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland History Room, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn more about researching and organizing your family history in this guided workshop.
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • Roller Derby Exhibition Double Header | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Haus 820, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $12-$22 | Watch Swan City Roller Derby skaters compete in midtown Lakeland.
Friday, Aug. 18
  • The Legendary Jon Corneal and His Compadres Live | Friday, Aug. 18 | 12-2:30 p.m. | Hillcrest Coffee, 119 Hillcrest St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a coffee and enjoy live music by country musician Jon Corneal and his band every Friday.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Arts
  • A familiar face will soon greet Munn Park visitors from above. “Feng Shui,” the aerial statue, was removed in 2019 prior to hurricane season. City officials discovered signs of deterioration; it’s now being professionally repaired by original sculptor Jerzy Kedziora and a Miami firm. A reinstallment date is TBA. (The Ledger)
Civic
  • The Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland is getting a new judge: Roger Gannam of Apopka. Roger will fill the seat vacated by former Chief Judge Meredith Sasso, who now serves on the Florida Supreme Court. (The Ledger)
Open
  • The chef behind Bartow’s new restaurant, Tua Pasta, is hungry for greatness. Before opening the food concept, doctors diagnosed Blake Jones with cancer — they gave him 20% odds of survival and predicted loss of eating + speaking abilities. Now, fully recovered, Blake plans to shake up the culinary industry. (Bay News 9)
Legacy
  • Lakeland High School graduate Bert Hunter Lane, USCG WWI, is being honored with a proclamation at City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. Bert joined the US Coast Guard in 1917 at 21 years old. In 1918, he and all souls aboard the USS Tampa were lost.
Number
  • $10,000. That’s what the Polk County Fire Rescue Department is offering as a sign-on bonus. Additional perks are available to honorably discharged US military vets, two or four-year college degree holders, and technicians with special skills like HazMat. Contact a recruiter for more information. (WFTS)
Opening
  • Satya Life Yoga is moving to a new studio near Tea Largo at 4684 Cleveland Heights Blvd. The studio opens on Monday, Aug. 28. Stop by for yoga, tai chi, or meditation classes — the studio will close its Pine Street location after the Aug. 19 Meditation Workshop.
Shop
  • Local artist Jenna O’Brien, owner of Feeling! Design Lab, has released special-edition Florida Men on Florida Man prints. For a limited time, you can order the prints signed by the podcasters and the designer herself. Designs feature the Skunk Ape, Florida wildlife, Florida bingo, and more.
Try This
  • Bok Tower Gardens is hosting a Fall Wine Walk on Saturday, Oct. 14. Sample 12 wines while strolling the gardens, then attend the after-party on The Terrace for live music. Tickets are on sale now — each one includes wine samples, hors d’oeuvres, and a souvenir tasting cup.
Active
  • Calling all runners. Registration is open for the SUN ‘n FUN Pumpkin Dash 5K. Run in your Halloween costume, then head to the Monster Mash immediately after the race in the Aerospace Pavilion for food, drinks, vendors, and festive music.
Shop
Edu
  • While “you can’t judge a book by its cover” is true of people, it’s not true of the digital world. Learn everything you need to know to excel in the visually-driven fields of marketing, web design, communications, and more with Southeastern University’s online Digital Media & Design degree. See the career possibilities + apply.*
Biz
  • Hey, food start-up dreamers: Want to start a food business, but don’t know where to start? See Catapult’s How to Start a Food Business Guide for tips, important info + more. Bonus: The Catapult Kitchen helps food entrepreneurs launch their dream.*
 
Answered

We asked for your tips for new Lakelanders...

LAL_Swan_March_2023

Our tip: Read up on Lakeland’s swan story and visit them for yourself.

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Photo by @wildernessflorida

It’s no secret that Lakeland is growing. We asked our readers to share the first thing they’d recommend a new Lakelander do in Swan City. They suggested:
  • “Check out Quinteassence Kava Bar and Lake Morton.”
  • “Eat at Harry’s after shopping at the Saturday market.”
  • “First Friday, visit Bonnet Springs Park, Tigers Game.”
  • “Take a walk around Bonnet Springs, and explore the beauty of Lakeland at area lakes.”
  • “Go see a movie/production at the Polk Theater.”
  • “Subscribe to LALtoday and Lakeland Mom for your news and things to do.”
  • “Go to Lakeland community theater and the museum.”
  • “Visit Downtown! Check out the restaurants, especially the local places. Lakeland embraces newcomers. There are a lot of activities for everyone to get involved.”
If you’re new to town or know someone who is, our New to Lakeland guide is the ultimate resource. Check it out for everything you need to live, work, and play in Lakeland.
Meet New to Lakeland
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The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor
Speaking of pizza, earlier this year Palace Pizza was crowned in our 2023 Best of Lakeland bracket. Is it time for round two? What type of food bracket would you like to see? Whether it’s barbecue, sushi, or coffee, let us know.
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