"Husband and wife duo Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened Bird in 2021 with not much more than a pickup window, a hanging sign, and a pizza oven. Today, this Optimist Park neighborhood spot has received nationwide acclaim, including one of The New York Times’s Best Pizza Places in the country. Formerly limited to walk-ups and online ordering, the restaurant now offers intimate dine-in counter or table seating (reserve ahead). The East Coast-style pizza is flavorful — balanced between salt, sweet, and tang — and offers red, white, and vegan options and simple toppings like pepperoni, Calabrian peppers, and hot honey, on a unique bendy, thin, and soft crust. Simple add-ons, like kale Caesar salad and bottled Mexican Coke, make this a Queen City destination." - Shindy Chen