King Dough★ ★

It took a pair of legendary local entrepreneurs (Tom and Ed Battista) to convince some of the state’s most innovative pizzaioli (Adam and Alicia Sweet) to bring a long-awaited second location of their Bloomington pizzeria to the Holy Cross neighborhood in early 2019. Yet the swarms of smiling pizza fans who covet this joint’s crust and toppings are proof it was worth the wait. Chewy, yeasty, and with just the right flop in the middle, the Sweets’ pizzas are bona fide craft from the dough to the obviously high-quality, painstakingly sourced toppings. Standouts include the Destroyer with aged mozzarella, goat cheese, sausage, and a drizzle of spicy honey, as well as the earthy Stinky Pete with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and plenty of garlic and herbs. Burgers, including one made from chorizo topped with manchego cheese, play surprisingly close second fiddles to the pies, and starters such as delectable patatas bravas with chimichurri and a cashew aioli give this place the broad appeal of a trattoria. Creative cocktails concocted from boutique liqueurs and aromatics are reason enough to drop in, and they make for perfect sippers while you wait for your pie and watch the neighborhood goings-on from the spacious back patio. Lunch and dinner daily.