Best Pizza in the USA

[mgjim]

I stumbled across an interesting website while looking for opinions on the best pizza in the USA.

This read may take you a while but I'd be intersted in hearing about your favorite pizza places out of the many examples listed on this site:

Best Pizza Places in the U.S. | Food & Wine (http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-pizza-places-in-the-us)

Being from Minnesota, I happen to like Punch Pizza and I'm going to try Pizzeria Lola (recommended by Andrew Zimmern) this weekend. But, having lived in Italy, I still haven't found an American pizza that matches what I was able to find there.

Which ones do you like best?

[jblum315]

Best pizza in New York. Great pizza in California and Maine. I think it's the water.

[Bobbie416]

My husband has his own theory. The further away from New York City you go, the worse the pizza is. He has not yet tried pizza in TV.

[Bobbie416]

My favorite is Don Pepe's white clam pizza in New Haven, CT. I am not a purist.

[cbg150]

My favorite is Don Pepe's white clam pizza in New Haven, CT. I am not a purist.

I love white clam pizza...can't understand why it hasn't spread from CT!

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[archerlc]

The pizza capital of the world is Old Forge, Pennsylvania.

[cathyw]

I stumbled across an interesting website while looking for opinions on the best pizza in the USA.

This read may take you a while but I'd be intersted in hearing about your favorite pizza places out of the many examples listed on this site:

Best Pizza Places in the U.S. | Food & Wine (http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-pizza-places-in-the-us)

Being from Minnesota, I happen to like Punch Pizza and I'm going to try Pizzeria Lola (recommended by Andrew Zimmern) this weekend. But, having lived in Italy, I still haven't found an American pizza that matches what I was able to find there.

Which ones do you like best?


I looked thru all 50 pizza places and have only eaten at one....Totonno's of Brooklyn. It is and always will be one of my favorites.
A picture says a thousand words. When I looked at the pictures, I saw SEVERAL that I would love to try. Most of the pictures look NOTHING like what you get in this area. Several had a fried egg in the center....the only place I have seen that was in Italy and it was DELICIOUS. I am very hungry after viewing those pictures. I think I'll have to make homemade pizza tonight !

[bluedog103]

[QUOTE=mgjim;586923 But, having lived in Italy, I still haven't found an American pizza that matches what I was able to find there. [/QUOTE]

I agree, I haven't found pizza in the U.S like I had so many times in Italy. I've looked all over and nothing comes close. That being said, in the U.S. I prefer NY pizza. It isn't remotely similar to Italian but it's great in its own way. I don't think water has anything to do with the quality of NY pizza since NY City water comes from all over. Westchester County, Sullivan and several other locations are homes to NY City reservoirs. Good NY pizza can be found all over the NY area including New Jersey and Connecticut and these areas all have their own water sources. I think it has everything to do with knowing how to make pizza in this style. I'm heading north next week for the holidays and as usual, our first dinner in NY will be pizza.

[rtime]

Flying Pie, Portland, Oregon

[skyguy79]

Technically there is no "best in the USA" pizza, only "The best pizza's in the USA!" You'd have to have tried any and all pizzas to claim which one is "The best," and I'm sure that only I have tried the pizza my mother used to make. Yes, I feel that my late mother's homemade pizza was the best I ever tried but... alais, no more! :sigh:

[joycenemetz]

The pizza capital of the world is Old Forge, Pennsylvania.

Oh...how I miss Old Forge pizza! Can't find anything here even close!!

[2BNTV]

I think some of the better pizzas had higher quality ingredients.

Although not scentific, I think the water has something to do with the taste of pizza. Ironically. New York City water supply is high in quality.

FWIW - I am originally from Yonkers, Yew York.

[paulascorpio]

Love Al Forno in Rhode Island and Grimaldi's Pizza in NY and also Ft Myers and Palm Beach Gardens......

[flhr95]

Ozzie's Pizza
Park Avenue
Rochester, New York

[Wi11iam]

I stumbled across an interesting website while looking for opinions on the best pizza in the USA.

This read may take you a while but I'd be intersted in hearing about your favorite pizza places out of the many examples listed on this site:

Best Pizza Places in the U.S. | Food & Wine (http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-pizza-places-in-the-us)

Being from Minnesota, I happen to like Punch Pizza and I'm going to try Pizzeria Lola (recommended by Andrew Zimmern) this weekend. But, having lived in Italy, I still haven't found an American pizza that matches what I was able to find there.

Which ones do you like best?
Hi everyone,
I have learned the secret of the Famous New York Pizza..... As stated it is not the water, I learned the secret is the number of times the dough hits the floor. Lol...:a20::a20:
1 time = fair
2 times = good
3 times = very good
4 times = outstanding and no extra charge for the cleaning process...
:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[Parker]

Round Table Pizza in California. Nothing close out this way.

[Villages PL]

I don't eat pizza anymore but I have a theory on which ingredients make the best pizza.

Lots of good quality cheese, tomatoes, olive oil and high sodium.
The higher the fat content the better it will taste and the more calories it will have. High sodium helps to enhance taste also.

Calories per slice depends of what kind of pizza you have.

Cheese pizza 230 calories per slice

Pepperoni pizza 290 calories per slice

Sausage pizza 280 calories per slice

Meat-piled high pizza 350 calories per slice

Veggie pizza 215 calories per slice

Spinach Alfredo pizza 240 calories per slice

I assume if you ask for double cheese you will increase the number of calories quite a bit. That's why doubble cheese usually tastes better. Double cheese means more fat and sodium.

If you're hungry and eat 3 slices with beverage, you're up around 1,000 calories. :22yikes:

[eweissenbach]

My favoite is the original Pizzaria Uno in Downtown Chicago. It is Chicago style deep dish, and purists will say it is more of a casserole than a true pizza, however I found it delectable.

[eweissenbach]

I don't eat pizza anymore but I have a theory on which ingredients make the best pizza.

Lots of good quality cheese, tomatoes, olive oil and high sodium.
The higher the fat content the better it will taste and the more calories it will have. High sodium helps to enhance taste also.

Calories per slice depends of what kind of pizza you have.

Cheese pizza 230 calories per slice

Pepperoni pizza 290 calories per slice

Sausage pizza 280 calories per slice

Meat-piled high pizza 350 calories per slice

Veggie pizza 215 calories per slice

Spinach Alfredo pizza 240 calories per slice

I assume if you ask for double cheese you will increase the number of calories quite a bit. That's why doubble cheese usually tastes better. Double cheese means more fat and sodium.

If you're hungry and eat 3 slices with beverage, you're up around 1,000 calories. :22yikes:

Jeeze, no offense, but when it comes to food you are really a scold or Debbie Downer! I think most people realize pizza is not "health food", and it shouldn't be eaten daily, but for a calorie splurge once in a while it is heavenly.

[ugotme]

Just like making the fast food places put the nutrition data on the walls.

I truly don't believe that ANYONE would walk into McDonalds to get a Big Mac, look at the data and say "OH MY THAT ISN'T GOOD - THINK I WILL HAVE A SALAD INSTEAD." BULL !

People go to these places because 1) they enjoy it; 2) it is fast and 3) it is cheap. You know what you are getting into when you go there.

Remember - there was a guy who wanted to sue because eating at fast food places made him fat !! DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[rubicon]

I suspect that the best pizza you have had occured when you were really hungry. The best pizza ordered out for me came from Auburn New York. The pizza was 3 feet long and 1/1/2 feet wide and doughy and we order four of them for a party . The toppings excellent as they were not over the top. My wife makes all sort of pizza Neapolitan, some with various toppings white pizza with asparagus or spinach deep dish, thin round, square. I love it all. Pizza, salad and a glass of vino.

It would b difficult to determin the best pizza in New York city as they have thousands of pizza places. However, its a dirty job but someday ust has to tackle it and make that determination:D:D

[ugotme]

It would b difficult to determin the best pizza in New York city as they have thousands of pizza places. However, its a dirty job but someday ust has to tackle it and make that determination:D:D

OOH OOH PICK ME - I'LL DO IT !!!!

:BigApplause:

[2BNTV]

Pick me. I am only half an hour drive from NY. :smiley:

[ugotme]

Pick me. I am only half an hour drive from NY. :smiley:

Yeah but I'm a NEW YAWKER !!!! :wave:

[2BNTV]

Yeah but I'm a NEW YAWKER !!!! :wave:

So am I. I just live in CT. :smiley:

Joe :wave:

[SyrNancy]

Varsity Pizza on Syracuse Univ. campus!!

[graciegirl]

Best pizza in New York. Great pizza in California and Maine. I think it's the water.

JEAN! I hardly EVER disagree with you.

But La Rosa's from Cincinnati has been making people smile for over fifty years.

YUM!

Maybe it IS the water, but I don't think they use the water from the old muddy. (OHIO RIVER)

[applesoffh]

My husband has his own theory. The further away from New York City you go, the worse the pizza is. He has not yet tried pizza in TV.

Neither have we...(we're from Queens). I just can't...

[mgjim]

Clearly, most of us prefer our "home-grown" pizzas but I think there is some truth to the opinion that New York wins the pizza wars in the USA. I've been fortunate to have lived in a lot of places in my life incuding Chicago, Brooklyn, Monterey, and northern Italy. The pizza in New York is definitely competitive with Italian pizzas; Chicago pizza is really good too, but an acquired taste. I think there may be a lot of good pizza locations missing from Wine and Food's list.

Sadly, Florida is badly unrepresented in the pizza discussion. I'm surprised, with the number of New Yorkers who have settled in Florida that someone hasn't opened a great pizzeria.

So, if you need a pizza fix in The Villages, where do you go?

[eweissenbach]

I suspect that the best pizza you have had occured when you were really hungry. The best pizza ordered out for me came from Auburn New York. The pizza was 3 feet long and 1/1/2 feet wide and doughy and we order four of them for a party . The toppings excellent as they were not over the top. My wife makes all sort of pizza Neapolitan, some with various toppings white pizza with asparagus or spinach deep dish, thin round, square. I love it all. Pizza, salad and a glass of vino.

It would b difficult to determin the best pizza in New York city as they have thousands of pizza places. However, its a dirty job but someday ust has to tackle it and make that determination:D:D

Best New York pizza I have had was a kosher place about a block or two from the Empire State Building. An orthodox Jewish friend took me there when we were at a two week meeting in NYC. I am not Jewish, but damn was that good pizza.

[eweissenbach]

So, if you need a pizza fix in The Villages, where do you go?

We go to Mallory. Love their brick oven baked portabella and swiss.

[Patty55]

It's not the water, it's the dough. Freezing yeast forever doesn't work.

You know, making pizza is not that difficult. Satisfying all the different palates from all over the country is the hard part, so I guess they go the easy road and serve frozen dreck.

I'm good with that.

[graciegirl]

It's not the water, it's the dough. Freezing yeast forever doesn't work.

You know, making pizza is not that difficult. Satisfying all the different palates from all over the country is the hard part, so I guess they go the easy road and serve frozen dreck.

I'm good with that.

Who does Patty? Never had frozen dreck. Never even had defrosted dreck.;)

[zummy]

I agree with Mallory for Pizza in the Villages

[graciegirl]

What do you think makes a pizza from New York great?

For instance..If you order a pepperoni pizza in New York, what makes it better than my deeeeelicious LaRosa's Pizza from Cincinnati???

LaRosa's Pizza...pepperoni pizza has a thin crust and a slightly sweet tomato sauce with the pepperoni hidden under the cheese.


Tell my about your New York pepperoni pizza...how is it different...and DON'T say the water. I am just not buyin' that...:crap2:

I am listening....;)

[ugotme]

What do you think makes a pizza from New York great?

For instance..If you order a pepperoni pizza in New York, what makes it better than my deeeeelicious LaRosa's Pizza from Cincinnati???

LaRosa's Pizza...pepperoni pizza has a thin crust and a slightly sweet tomato sauce with the pepperoni hidden under the cheese.


Tell my about your New York pepperoni pizza...how is it different...and DON'T say the water. I am just not buyin' that...:crap2:

I am listening....;)

Actually Gracie, I was told by friends who run pizza parlors in NY that the water (which obviously makes the dough) has A LOT to do with it.

But the main thing - IT'S NEW YAWK PIZZA !!!! :a20:

[Patty55]

Actually Gracie, I was told by friends who run pizza parlors in NY that the water (which obviously makes the dough) has A LOT to do with it.

But the main thing - IT'S NEW YAWK PIZZA !!!! :a20:

I still say it's the dough. Frozen dough doesn't give it that 3-4" raised edge where it's all airy and crunchy. It's also in the throwing. To me the sauce is more spicy than sweet, I don't get pepporoni, but if I did it would be on top of the cheese getting kind of crunchy.

I like to fold it and have the olive oil a bit dripping.

And not for nothing kiddies, if NY pizza (NYMA, not Buffalo)was not held in such high regard, then why is there a chain called NYPD? HUH? I don't see a chain called DesMoinesPD or ClevelandPD. HUH?

[ugotme]

I still say it's the dough. Frozen dough doesn't give it that 3-4" raised edge where it's all airy and crunchy. It's also in the throwing. To me the sauce is more spicy than sweet, I don't get pepporoni, but if I did it would be on top of the cheese getting kind of crunchy.

I like to fold it and have the olive oil a bit dripping.

And not for nothing kiddies, if NY pizza (NYMA, not Buffalo)was not held in such high regard, then why is there a chain called NYPD? HUH? I don't see a chain called DesMoinesPD or ClevelandPD. HUH?

Ha Ha - I love it!
My brother and I call this the "flop test."
The pizza - obviously folded - has to flop a little in the front and have some good old olive oil dripping from it.

In addition to your comment - why do many, many pizza joints exclaim "New York Style?"

:pepper2: Can we get a "pizza" emoticon? LOL

[graciegirl]

Ha Ha - I love it!
My brother and I call this the "flop test."
The pizza - obviously folded - has to flop a little in the front and have some good old olive oil dripping from it.

In addition to your comment - why do many, many pizza joints exclaim "New York Style?"

:pepper2: Can we get a "pizza" emoticon? LOL


Now listen carefully, because I am only gonna tell you this once.

Because they have NEVER been to Cincinnati.:shrug:

;);)

[ugotme]

Now listen carefully, because I am only gonna tell you this once.

Because they have NEVER been to Cincinnati.:shrug:

;);)

CINCINNATI ?

I SPENT A WEEK THERE ONE DAY !

:a20:

[Shimpy]

- why do many, many pizza joints exclaim "New York Style?"

:pepper2: Can we get a "pizza" emoticon? LOL

Many restaurants advertise NY style this and that because they know that it will bring in all the homesick NY'ers who think there is nothing better in the world than how it was in NY. Those restaurants are located in areas where there is alot of of NY'ers such as here. Go to Chicago, Pittsburgh, Dallas, LA, etc and see how many advertise that. There is a car wash in Inverness just 1/2 hour west of here that advertises "NY car wash" I guess they bring in NY water. My point is how can you say you have the best in the world when you haven't tried the rest of the world? My experience with NY pizza was just ok but not the best I've had by far.

[2BNTV]

[QUOTE=ugotme;588988]

I SPENT A WEEK THERE ONE DAY !



:1rotfl:

[Patty55]

The best I have ever had was a place on Hylan Blvd in Staten Island.

I kind of knew coming down here I wouldn't care for the pizza, I'm totally okay with it.

[ugotme]

Many restaurants advertise NY style this and that because they know that it will bring in all the homesick NY'ers who think there is nothing better in the world than how it was in NY. Those restaurants are located in areas where there is alot of of NY'ers such as here. Go to Chicago, Pittsburgh, Dallas, LA, etc and see how many advertise that. There is a car wash in Inverness just 1/2 hour west of here that advertises "NY car wash" I guess they bring in NY water. My point is how can you say you have the best in the world when you haven't tried the rest of the world? My experience with NY pizza was just ok but not the best I've had by far.

Right you are!

I realize that I am not going to get what I liked back in NY.
I have said to many people - If you grew up in Florida (or wherever) and are used to the pizza there you may hate NY pizza. all depends on what you are used to. But still . . .
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE NY PIZZA !!!! :beer3: LOL

[bluedog103]

Actually Gracie, I was told by friends who run pizza parlors in NY that the water (which obviously makes the dough) has A LOT to do with it.

But the main thing - IT'S NEW YAWK PIZZA !!!! :a20:

Most New Yorkers couldn't find the source of their water if you gave them a map and a compass. Hint: It ain't the Central Park Reservoir. NY has something like 20 reservoirs scattered around southern NY on both sides of the Hudson. Great pizza can be found all around the metropolitan area. There is no water source in common with these areas. I think it has everything to do with technique. I can think of at least 10 pizza places within 10 minutes of my NY home, all somewhat different but all great. The common denominator is that the owners all came from NYC. Just the way they do it there.

[eweissenbach]

Right you are!

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE NY PIZZA !!!! :beer3: LOL

Well, saying there's nothing like it implies it is distinctive, not that it is necessarily good! ;)

[mgjim]

Are any of you willing to comment on Flippers Pizzeria in Town Square? I missed trying it out when I was there a couple of months ago.

[ugotme]

Well, saying there's nothing like it implies it is distinctive, not that it is necessarily good! ;)

Excellent point!
Guess I will have to watch my P's and Q's from now on. LOL

Ahhh Heck - just give me pizza, pizza and more pizza !

:icon_hungry:

[Mack184]

Lombardi's..NYC.

[Aloha]

In Lebanon, Tennessee, there is a restaurant called Gondola Restaurant. They have the best pizza I have ever had. They grind their own meat there and make everything fresh. It is right down the street from the original (first) Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/foodspotting-ec2/reviews/208913/thumb_600.jpg?1289765889

[Schaumburger]

Lou Malnati's in Chicago -- the Lou pizza is to die for...just my 2 cents. :icon_hungry:

[Cantwaittoarrive]

In Lebanon, Tennessee, there is a restaurant called Gondola Restaurant. They have the best pizza I have ever had. They grind their own meat there and make everything fresh. It is right down the street from the original (first) Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/foodspotting-ec2/reviews/208913/thumb_600.jpg?1289765889

Looks good

[eweissenbach]

Looks good

As far as franchise pizza joints, we like Pappa Johns. When in TV we order from the Lady Lake store online and get lots of promotional deals along with outstanding pizza.

[Arubagirl2000]

As far as franchise pizza joints, we like Pappa Johns. When in TV we order from the Lady Lake store online and get lots of promotional deals along with outstanding pizza.

How does that work ordering online? Can you still get it delivered that way?

[Skip]

How does that work ordering online? Can you still get it delivered that way?

No, the pizza gets stuck in the wires.

Skip

[Mack184]

No, the pizza gets stuck in the wires.

Skip
You're a funny man!

On-line ordering whether it's with Papa John's or any of the various pizza chains is very convenient. You just fill out the order form, you can pay with your credit card, leave a tip for the driver that way if you want to, and you have a hard copy of your order so you can confirm what you ordered when the pizza arrives. If we order from a chain we always do it that way. It's very easy.

[bluedog103]

Has anyone had Domino's recently? I had it many years ago and remember it being pretty bad. Awhile back there were commercials on TV claiming to have seen the light and created a new and improved pizza. Just wondering.

[ugotme]

Has anyone had Domino's recently? I had it many years ago and remember it being pretty bad. Awhile back there were commercials on TV claiming to have seen the light and created a new and improved pizza. Just wondering.

Can't say I know. Tried it once many years ago and will NEVER try it again.
Not for me.

[mrfixit]

Has anyone had Domino's recently? I had it many years ago and remember it being pretty bad. Awhile back there were commercials on TV claiming to have seen the light and created a new and improved pizza. Just wondering.

Yes...much better than years ago.
The NEW Artisan Pizza is real good.

Wonder what " Ol' Tom " is doing these days....
since BAIN CAPITAL paid him a BILLION DOLLARS for his pizza company.

[Mack184]

Has anyone had Domino's recently? I had it many years ago and remember it being pretty bad. Awhile back there were commercials on TV claiming to have seen the light and created a new and improved pizza. Just wondering.
Most of Dominos customers are either too stoned or too drunk to even know what they are eating. Dominos could just serve them the box and they wouldn't know the difference.

[Golfingnut]

Hey. I resemble that remark. I had some drinking buddies over the other night and after several rounds, I ordered from Domino's. After the first bite, I ran to the fridge for a bottle of peppers, hot sauce and parm cheese. Added all three to a slice and I did not gag that time. So, yea, its OK if you doctor it up a little and drink faster.

[Patty55]

In Lebanon, Tennessee, there is a restaurant called Gondola Restaurant. They have the best pizza I have ever had. They grind their own meat there and make everything fresh. It is right down the street from the original (first) Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/foodspotting-ec2/reviews/208913/thumb_600.jpg?1289765889

Hellooo, can you eat this in your car while you're weaving in and out of traffic? I don't think so.

FAIL

[RangeWalker]

Born and raised in Philadelphia. Neighborhood pizzarias like 'Dominic's' or 'Teresa's', not chain restaurants, the only way to go. Cannot stand 'Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pan Pizza' (an inch of bread, a millimeter of topping). Tony's Pizza in Eustis has the best NY (or NE Style) pizza in the area. Too bad it is so far away...