Unexpected Gem: Atlanta's Best Pizza Hides in Mexican Grocery Store

Pizza by Yandys, tucked inside Carniceria Los Pinos, is earning a loyal following for its New York-style and Detroit-style pies.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Contrary to Atlanta's reputation as a fried chicken and peach cobbler town, the city's dining scene is home to a vibrant, ever-evolving food culture, including some of the best pizza in the South. One such hidden gem is Pizza by Yandys, a counter located inside Carniceria Los Pinos, a Mexican grocery store in the Sandy Springs neighborhood. Despite its unassuming location, Pizza by Yandys is earning a loyal following for its expertly crafted New York-style and Detroit-style pizzas made with a 48-hour fermented dough.

Why it matters

Atlanta's food scene often exceeds expectations, with diverse cuisines and hidden gems that challenge the city's stereotypical reputation. The success of Pizza by Yandys, a small pizza counter inside a Mexican grocery store, demonstrates the city's thriving food culture and the ability of mission-driven, community-focused businesses to thrive, even in unexpected locations.

The details

Pizza by Yandys offers both New York-style and Detroit-style pizzas, all made with a 48-hour fermented dough that results in a perfectly crisp crust. The New York-style pies can support hearty toppings like dozens of charred pepperoni cups, creamy ricotta, and sticky-sweet hot honey. The Detroit-style pizzas feature a crisp edge and a light, airy, and chewy interior. In addition to the signature pizza styles, the menu also includes calzones and strombolis.

  • Pizza by Yandys has been open for less than 2 years.
  • The business is located in Sandy Springs, a city in north Fulton County that is part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.

The players

Pizza by Yandys

A pizza counter located inside Carniceria Los Pinos, a Mexican grocery store in Sandy Springs, Georgia, that is earning a loyal following for its expertly crafted New York-style and Detroit-style pizzas made with a 48-hour fermented dough.

Carniceria Los Pinos

A Mexican grocery store in Sandy Springs, Georgia that houses the Pizza by Yandys counter.

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What they’re saying

“Atlanta isn't typically thought of as a great pizza city. It doesn't have a distinctive style like other parts of the country, but its dining scene often quietly exceeds the expectations or limits set for it.”

— Alana Al-Hatlani (southernliving.com)

The takeaway

Pizza by Yandys' success inside a Mexican grocery store highlights Atlanta's vibrant and diverse food scene, which often defies the city's stereotypical reputation. The business's commitment to expertly crafted New York-style and Detroit-style pizzas made with a 48-hour fermented dough has earned it a loyal following, demonstrating that mission-driven, community-focused establishments can thrive, even in unexpected locations.