Score: 6.5

Cousin Basils isn’t a dedicated pizzeria. It’s a family-style restaurant that happens to serve pizza. And while pizza isn’t their specialty, they still put out a solid product. I ordered a pepperoni pizza to go, and it was warm, fresh, and hit the spot, especially since it was the only place open when I needed one. That alone was appreciated.

Cheese

The cheese was the standout. It had a surprising brightness, almost a citrus note, which gave it some personality. It wasn’t just a bland mozzarella mix. It had flavor, and that helped lift the overall experience slightly above average.

Sauce

The sauce was good. It leaned semi-sweet and was mild overall. It didn’t overpower anything, and it worked well with the rest of the pie. Not much else to say, it did its job and kept the slice balanced.

Dough and Crust

The crust was soft and fluffy, not burnt or crisp. The slice flopped a bit, but the dough held together without being soggy. There was a little grease on top, as you’d expect with pepperoni, but nothing excessive or off-putting. This wasn’t a charred, artisan-style crust. It was soft, comforting, and in line with the overall feel of a family restaurant pizza.

Overall Impression

This isn’t a bad pizza, far from it. It’s just not exceptional, either. It’s above average, but just barely, and that’s why I’m rating it a 6.5. It’s a dependable, no-frills pie made by a place that doesn’t focus on pizza but still gets the basics right. If you’re nearby and craving pizza, Cousin Basils is a perfectly good choice.