July 10, 2026

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Detroit Built It. Anthony Petralia Reinvented It.

From Buddy’s Pizza in Detroit to Tralia Pizza in Gulf Gate, here’s how a Motor City classic evolved into one of Sarasota’s newest Michelin-recognized restaurants.

Back in 1946, Anthony Petralia wasn’t alive yet. But something was being created up in Detroit, Michigan that would eventually allow him to put his stamp on the Sarasota culinary scene eight decades later.

The mid-40s were when Gus Guerra, his wife, Anna, and their cook, Connie Piccinato, would “invent” Detroit-style pizza. Anthony wasn’t around for the initial spark, but eighty years later, he would turn that pie into something that would be internationally recognized.

Before we get to Anthony’s reinvention, let’s take a quick peek at the inspiration.

Buddy’s Pizza has been around for a bit. It really hasn’t changed a whole lot during that time.

There are nineteen locations now, and every single one of them is located in Michigan. All of them have a few things in common. They all sport the same casual, family feel. Oh – and yes, they all serve the same Detroit-style pizza.

That, my friends, is the Detroiter (Wisconsin brick cheese, pepperoni on top, tomato basil sauce, shaved Parmesan cheese, and Buddy’s Sicilian spice blend). Yes, it’s really good.

📝 This is more than a little embarrassing. I, the avowed Chicago thin-crust, tavern-style pizza fan, am raving on about Detroit pizza. Truth be told, this kind of pie has moved up into the #2 pizza position for me!

🛣️ The Road to Michelin Recognition Is NOT Linear. If you were to interview the chefs at starred, Bib Gourmand, and Michelin-recognized restaurants, each would have a different story to tell. There would absolutely be some similarities. But each chef walked their own unique path to the distinction. The same is true for Anthony.

🍕 Welcome to Tralia Pizza.

All restaurants have their own “feel,” including Michelin-recognized restaurants. Tralia is casual. It’s not casual like Buddy’s, but this is not a fine-dining situation.

Let’s say it’s a “comfortably tailored” look. It doesn’t quite seem like Gulf Gate.

The art matches the feel. Free and easy sums it up.

If you’re solo or just waiting for a carryout, they’ve got a nice little bar just for you. Yes, they’ll pour you a beer while you wait. 🍺

They do have a few other things on the menu to choose from. But, for me, pizza is the main attraction.

They feature two styles of sourdough pizzas. They are Artisan Round and Detroit Square.

📝 This part is a little confusing and may require math. Get ready!
There are basically two sizes of Detroit pizza. There’s a 4-corner (which can be 4 or 6 pieces), and there’s an 8-corner (two 4-corner pies baked side by side). I’m not really sure why it can’t be small, medium, or large. But it’s not. 😁

Tralia serves one size Detroit-style, a 4-corner. Tralia’s 4-corner pizza has six pieces. Confused yet? I think, in this case, a picture will put all of this to rest.

This is a Tralia Detroit-style pizza!

Looks pretty delicious, right? Have a look at it from another angle.

Any way you look at this pie, your brain registers the same thing. “I need to eat that now!” 😋

I ordered a Detroit Supreme (Cup & crisp pepperoni, fennel pork sausage, Sicilian olives, grilled artisan mushrooms, caramelized onion, and marinated sweet peppers).

Sometimes people need a little extra flavor. Tralia offers this in the classiest possible way that a pizza place can.

🔭 Some Pizza Observations.

• The toppings on this pizza were super fresh. I mean “tasteably” fresh.

• The crust was thin, buttery, and crisp.

• The seasonings had enough flavor on their own to really cut through all the topping flavors. A lot of times, those seasonings get a little lost in the boldness of the sausage and pepperoni. That’s not the case here.

What’s the best way to describe this Detroit-style pizza? A good word would be “elevated.” I don’t want to use the word gourmet. It’s too nondescript. But to say “elevated” means, at least to me, you take the original and improve on it, but not in a way that changes the character so much that it’s no longer recognizable. It’s not an easy task. Obviously, Anthony Petralia has mastered it.

Tralia Pizza is located at 6566 Gateway Avenue in Gulf Gate. Call them at 941-312-1621.

👀 Want a look at the Tralia menu? – VIEW TRALIA’S MENU HERE!

~ LH

📝 END NOTES –

(a) Seemingly millions of words have been written about our newly Michelin-acclaimed restaurants. It would be WAY too easy just to throw on a thousand more. Let’s just say this: the Sarasota food scene is working its way onto the map! Tralia, Lucky 8, and Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery are just the first three. More are down the road for sure.

(b) We wrote a piece about Lucky 8 back when they first opened. You can READ THAT HERE. Chef Mark Majorie and his business partner, Eddie Zaki have them standing in line on Osprey Avenue. And if you’ve eaten there, you know why.

(c) We also had something to say about Focaccia Sandwich + Bakery. Their unbeatable homemade bread makes each of their sandwich creations a delight. You can READ ABOUT THAT HERE. Recognized sandwich shops are on the rise in SW Florida. Tampa has Cousin Vinny’s; we have Focaccia.

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📌 ODDS & ENDS

1️⃣ 3, 2, 1… Back in the summer of 2022, Sarasota had exactly zero Jewish-style delis. Then Meshugana Deli opened, followed by the Palm Avenue Deli, and then by Wolfie’s Original Rascal House. All of a sudden, Sarasota was awash in corned beef and matzo ball soup. Then something happened…

In the late summer of 2024, Meshugana served its last Reuben sandwich. And now comes the news that Wolfie’s has closed its Rosemary District restaurant. From three to two to one, just like that.

Their FB page says that their carryout-only location in Lakewood Ranch will remain open AND that they are exploring a new concept, Wolfie’s 21 Hand Cut. But the closing of their main location hurts.

The bright side! The Palm Avenue Deli is still open and schmearing bagels from 8AM to 3PM daily. If you’re a lover of a good latke or just need a couple of black & white cookies, drop on by and show them some love!

🍷 Wine & Dine. Mark Tuesday, July 28^th down on your wine-tasting calendar (I mean, if you have such a thing!). That’s the night that Amore Ristorante pours some great summer wines to pair with some delicious classic Italian cuisine. This four-course event is the perfect way to break up a hot Sarasota summer. To put your name on a seat for this fun summer event, contact the restaurant at 941-383-1111. – SEE EVENT DETAILS HERE!

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🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️

Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.

📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2026 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖

📋 MENU OF THE MONTH!! – Happy Hams & Clams – MENU HERE!

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🧑‍🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO ‍🌾

EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS

EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS

EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS

EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS

EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS

EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS

EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS

EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Florida Farmer’s Market – DETAILS

THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS

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