Top 5+ Pizzas in the US

Trying to put together a Top 5 Pizza list is virtually impossible. Maybe 10 years ago, you could have taken a crack at it, but today there are just too many amazing pizzas out there. The classics will always hold their own. But the newcomers have been pretty successful in upping the ante. And then you overlay all the regional styles from Chicago deep dish to Detroit style to CT bar pizza to the NYC Slice to New Haven Style and so many more. As I said above, it’s impossible. So this Top 5 List is NOT tight. It’s loose. And it’s evolving. And don’t get all whipped up about #1 vs. #3 because it really just depends on the mood you are in. But, trust me, this list will be a good start for you Lifetime Pizza Bucket List!

  1. VIA 313, Austin, Texas (Detroit style)
  2. Modern Apizza, New Haven, CT (New Haven style)
  3. Lou Malnati’s, Chicago, IL (Chicago Deep Dish)
  4. Roberta’s, NYC (Naples style)
  5. Sally’s Apizza, CT (New Haven Style)
  6. Stretch Pizza, NYC (Naples style)
  7. Sal’s Pizzeria, Mamaroneck, NY (Sicilian)
  8. Colony Grill, Stamford, CT (CT Bar pizza)
  9. Grigg Street Pizza, Greenwich, CT (NYC style)
  10. John’s of Bleecker Street, NYC (NYC style)
  11. Marta, NYC (Naples style)
  12. Big Green Pizza Truck, New Haven, CT (New Haven style)
  13. Emily, NYC (Detroit style)
  14. Rafferty’s, Nisswa, MN (Americana style)
  15. Greenwich Pizzeria, Greenwich, CT (Take-Out favorite)

After putting this list together, I’ve received a number of suggestions of places I still need to visit:

  • Buddy’s Pizza, Detroit, MI
  • Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles
  • Driftwood Oven, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Pizzaria Bianco, Phoenix, AZ
  • DiFara, Brooklyn, NY
  • Zachary’s, East Bay locations, CA

And I know have a Downtown NYC Pizza Bucket List:

  • Joe & Pat’s – East Village
  • Scarr’s – Lower East Side
  • Vic’s – Noho
  • Prince Street Pizza – Soho
  • Rubirosa – Nolita
  • Joe’s – West Village
  • Pasquale Jones – Nolita
  • Loring Place – West Village
  • Lions & Tigers & Squares – Chelsea

Some others I really like, but not enough to put on the list:

  • Don Pepe’s, New Haven, CT
  • Tarry Lodge, Port Chester, NY
  • The Original Little Italy, NYC, NY
  • Lombardi’s, NYC, NY
  • Farmshop, Larkspur, CA