This won’t start any arguments.
I adore all kinds of pizza – New York-style, Neapolitan-style (thin crust, wet center), Roman-style (also thin-crust but with a cracker-like crust), Sicilian, coal-fired, wood-fired, whatever. Except “deep dish,” which is just a bread casserole and should be avoided at all costs. I try to find good artisan pizzerias everywhere I travel, and I’ve hit just about all of the most highly-regarded places in Manhattan and Brooklyn too. I grew up on Long Island, eating by the slice and folding as I did so, but a couple of trips to Italy convinced me of the merits of those very thin crusts and superior toppings. We’re the beneficiaries of a huge boom in high-end pizza joints in this country, and while I haven’t tried all of the good ones, I’ve been to enough to put together a ranking of the 40 best that I’ve tried. There is, I admit, a bias to this list – I’ve tried more places in greater Phoenix than any other metro area other than New York – and I’m sure I’ll get some yelling over where I put di Fara or Co. or Paulie Gee’s, but with all of that out of the way, here’s how I rank ’em. Links go to my reviews here on the dish.
1. Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
2. Kesté, New York
3. Motorino, New York
4. Roberta’s, Brooklyn
5. Pizzeria Vetri/Osteria, Philadelphia
6. Frank Pepe’s, New Haven
7. Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles
8. Pizzeria Lola, Minneapolis
9. cibo, Phoenix
10. Lucali, Brooklyn
11. Forcella, New York
12. Pizzeria Stella, Philadelphia
13. Paulie Gee’s, Brooklyn
14. Don Antonio by Starita, New York
15. ‘Pomo, Phoenix
16. Marta, New York
17. Ribalta, New York
18. Totonno’s, Brooklyn
19. Via Tribunali, New York/Seatte
20. Federal Pizza, Phoenix
21. Il Cane Rosso, Dallas
22. Antico, Atlanta
23. City House, Nashville
24. Tarry Lodge, Port Chester, NY
25. Desano, Nashville
26. Franny’s, Brooklyn
27. Grimaldi’s, Phoenix
28. Il Bosco, Phoenix
29. Di Fara, Brooklyn
30. 800 Degrees, Los Angeles
31. Co., New York
32. Rubirosa, New York
33. Bar Toma, Chicago
34. Punch Pizza, St. Paul
35. Toro, Durham
36. Dolce Vita, Houston
37. Stella Rosa, Santa Monica
38. Grimaldi’s, Brooklyn
39. Basic, San Diego
40. Nicoletta, New York
There’s a long list of pizzerias I still need (okay, want, but where I’m concerned pizza is a need) to try, so they’re not on the list: Flour + Water & del Popolo in San Francisco, Apizza Scholls in Portland, A4 in Somerville (near Boston), 2 Amy’s in DC, Sottocasa in Brooklyn, al Forno in Providence, Pizzaiolo in Oakland, Mani Osteria in Ann Arbor, Vero in Cleveland, Iggie’s in Baltimore, Garage Bar in Louisville, Vinny & Jon’s in Los Angeles, and more. It’s a good time to be a pizza lover, and unless you have to be gluten-free, how could you not love pizza?
I know I’ve mentioned it to you before on twitter, but La Piazza Phx/La Piazza Al Forno in Phoenix/Glendale will probably make this list. I put it right up there with Bianco and ahead of Pomo. I’m a big enough believer, if you come to AZFL & wanna try it, it’s on me.
Next time you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Black Sheep Pizza is worth a try.
Great list, KLaw. I went to Motorino a couple years ago after reading your Dish review, and I still think about that Brussels sprouts & pancetta pizza. Will be back in NY in next week and it’s one of my first stops. Although it looks like I have a lot of other options to aim for as well.
Still can’t wait to try Bianco; last time I was in Scottsdale for only one day, I was devastated to find out they are closed on Mondays. Next time.
I live in Atlanta and love Antico, but think it may have been passed (very slightly) by a placed called Ammazza, which was opened by a former partner at Antico. Worth a try next time you’re in town, even though I’m sure your list of places to try in Atlanta has gotten quite long.
Bricks, in Chicago. NOT deep dish, that’s for tourists.
They started in Petaluma, CA, if that’s more convenient, although you’ll be in Chicago a lot in October to cover the Cubs fan layoff run
Thanks for this list, I have a trip to Phoenix coming up soon and I am going to try out at least one of these.
I am also excitedly waiting your top “pizzeria skills” list; best hand tossing, best brick oven, best pizza cutting, etc.
Not sure why you’d stop in Jersey City (although there has been a food renaissance in the past few years), but I’d have to suggest Razza. You may have come across an article in the New York Times last year profiling the chef / owner; and while the “Jiro of breadmaking and butter” may be overdoing it a little, the place is great. Here’s a link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/12/nyregion/at-razza-pizza-artigianale-in-jersey-city-taking-care-of-a-simple-dish.html?_r=0
That list made me so hungry for good pizza like I used to get in NY and New Jersey. Not something that is easy to find in Northern Virginia.
Agreed. The entire DC/MD/NOVA area is not exactly teeming with good pizza.
I’m a Washingtonian (not born, but bred in the area). Only Comet Ping Pong comes to mind for great pizza.
Have you tried Pupatella? I feel like there are a bunch of places in DC always popping up in DC that are pretty good. Try 14th Street.
I’ve heard good things about 2Amys and Menomale, and both are making Neapolitan style; have you been? I haven’t had the chance since I moved down here last year
Keith, while clearly none merit placement on your top 40, I’m curious what your favorite pizza in Delaware is.
DiMeo’s in Wilmington is creditable. There’s a Neapolitan place just over the line on Baltimore Pike I need to try. Ciao and Elizabeth’s are totally overrated. Franco’s in Dover is pretty good although I like their pastas more.
Thanks for the reply, totally agree on Ciao and Elizabeth’s. I will check out DiMeo’s. Have you by chance had Cafe Napoli on Kirkwood Highway? That is my personal favorite in the area, as close to New York style as I have found since moving from New York.
Nope, but I’ll check it out. There’s also one called Little Vinny’s that folks say is NY-style, although I’ll believe that when I taste it.
Little Vinny’s is pretty good, but ultimately nothing around here is the NY style I grew up with. Still, almost-NY style is better than the trash peddled at Grotto’s. I think the one you mentioned in PA on Baltimore Pike is Ravanesi…that’s on my to do list as well, I have heard good things.
I actually like deep dish, but that debate isn’t worth having. I usually get thin crust or brick oven, but every so often I get Malnatti’s. Take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Regardless, I have little doubt you would have liked Great Lake Pizza on Balmoral in Andersonville/Chicago. I doubt it will ever open again, however. It was probably the best pizza I’ve had.
2 Amy’s in DC. Been there, not completely impressed. However on your list of DC pizza joints should be Comet Ping-Pong. That’s despite the fact that Guy Fieri has been there.
Tony have you tried Pete’s? I’ve been repeatedly underwhelmed at comet ping-pong. When you consider the price point ($15) and the 8-9″ pizzas it just leaves me feeling fleeced. I had the Yalie pizza there once and I found three clams on the entire pizza. You ought to try Pupatella in NOVA or Menomale in NE DC.
Pizzicletta in Flagstaff is excellent, although with so many great places in the valley not sure you can justify driving up there just to try it. But if you are headed up that way definitely worth a stop
Yep, only been to Flagstaff once and that was just for brunch.
You need to try Juliana’s in Brooklyn. It’s right next to Grimaldi’s and is actually Patsy and Carol Grimaldi’s place. They sold Grimaldi’s and a little while later decided to give pizza another go. I am sure there is a juicy story surrounding that decision.
I really thought Juliana’s was better than Motorino, and blew away Grimaldi’s and Di Fara. Now I can’t stop thinking of going back to NY for some Juliana’s. Thanks a lot Keith!
Yep, that’s another one I need to try – but Brooklyn is so damn difficult for me to get to (or to get out of, more accurately).
Keith – we spoke a few years ago about city limits in White Plains.
Next time in Westchester go to Joes in Fleetwood on Broad Street in Mt Vernon
Or Louie and Ernies in the Bronx. Damn the overpriced Neapolitan style pizza
that Keste etc promote. There is nothing like a simple Bronx street slice.
Peace and keep up the mindfulness practice.
Jonny
You probably went on a bad day for Di Fara because living in NY and having been to a lot of the places that you’ve been to, to me it’s still the best in the NY area. Then again, I haven’t tried Roberta’s or Paulie Gee’s yet.
As much as I liked Juliana’s, I didn’t think it was better than Lucali.
Have you ever tried L&B Spumoni’s? Their sicilian is a piece of heaven.
If you want a dining partner for Pizzaiolo, let me know next time you’re in the Bay Area. It’s on par with anything you have on this list, fantastic stuff.
I got to go to Motorino when I was in NY earlier this summer. I thought it was very good and I enjoyed it but I would never have known it was supposed to be one of the best places around if you hadn’t mentioned it previously.
With all the time you’ve spent in the Boston metro region, not a one makes it? I’m not complaining, just surprised.
Which places? Regina would just be a typical slice shop in NYC. Figs is just OK for me, although it could be in the bottom five on the list. I haven’t been to Santarpio’s – it was the opposite side of the city from where I lived and not easy to get to. I know Coppa is supposed to have great pizza but I haven’t tried theirs.
Nothing from St. Louis?
Never been to Pastaria, which is on that Food and Wine ranking. “St. Louis-style pizza” uses a fake-food product called Provel, which I will not consume.
Every time you’re in Chicago, I hope to read about your trip to Spacca Napoli. 12 blocks NW of Wrigley. 5 Bib Gourmand awards in a row. Free cannoli on your way out the door! With Band of Bohemia (Aliea alums) opening soon about a block away you have 2 good reasons to head to Ravenswood next time.
Yes, a Cubs exec actually recommended it. I’ll drag Old Hoss there next time.
Klaw, I know that when you travel to Chicago you mostly stay either downtown or on the north side, but there is a pizzeria on the south side that is outstanding and if you ever get a chance for an extended stay, look me up (been a long time follower, you have my email). I think you’ll love it. But while some Chicagoans might bristle at the relative lack of Chicago joints listed (us Chicagoans take pride in our ‘Za), I understand because you’ve probably tried the touristty, deep dish that Chicago is (unfortunately) famous for. But we have much more to offer off the beaten path.
What’s the place? You’re correct that I’m never on the south side, though.
Iggie’s changed ownership and is not the same.
this is terrible news
Have you ever tried Detroit style pizza? Several Detroit are places land on best of lists… Buddy’s is the best of the bunch
I’ve heard Buddy’s and Supino are good, but I never have a reason to go to Detroit these days. Not exactly an amateur baseball hotbed.
I have to recommend Beddia and Tacconellis in Philly. Beddia especially. And also Una Pizza Napoletano in SF.
I haven’t been to Beddia, but I find Tacconellis to be very overrated.
Next time you’re in Milwaukee, check out Rustico (downtown) and Balistreri’s (not too far from Miller Park).
I live a block away from 2 Amys. Life is good.
Extra votes for Roberta’s, Paulie Gee’s, and Totonno’s. Those places are all incredible. I’ve only had Motorino via delivery so that’s not a fair comparison, but I preferred the other spots. I agree with your take that Grimaldi’s is not a top ten on the list of NYC spots. It’s good but not worthy of the hype.
Any recommendations for us lactose-incompetent people? The marinara at Bianco’s was incredible; any idea which other places recognize the necessity of a good marinara?
I am highly lactose-incompetent, as you say, but do pretty well with buffalo-milk mozzarella, or with a basic margherita if I take a lactase pill. A lot of these higher-end places are more sparing (sometimes too much so) with the cheese.
Re: Iggie’s
Keith, it is indeed a mess. On the bright side, just a few blocks north of Iggie’s is an excellent Thai restaurant, Stang of Siam. In the same neighborhood, try The Helmand for wonderful Afghan food. If we are restricting the discussion to pizza, try Hersh’s in Federal Hill.
I got to eat at 800 Degrees for the first time this weekend at the Monte Carlo in Vegas. I got a margherita and thought they did a pretty terrific job. It’s definitely the best of the assembly line pizza trend.
Have you tried Delorenzo’s tomato pie in the Trenton, NJ area? I know you are in the area quite often and they seem to always be highly ranked on the “best of” lists.
Tarry Lodge is in Port Chester, NY, not CT. It’s very close though, the bridge that takes you over the Byram River into CT is not even a block away.
Fixed, thanks.
If you ever get back to Vegas, be sure to go to Settebello — both locations in neighborhoods — one in Summerlin, one in Henderson.