
Prepare yourself for a delicious adventure across the United States as we discover who is the ultimate champion of the finest pizza. This article is your ticket to the greatest pizza joints in America, from the busy streets of New York City to the quaint alleyways of Chicago. We’ve searched the country to bring you a carefully chosen list of pizzerias that elevate the art of dough, sauce, and cheese, whether you’re a die-hard pizza enthusiast or just searching for the perfect slice. Come us on a delectable journey as we discover the varied techniques, local delicacies, and the fervent pizzaiolos that transform each bite into a mouthwatering symphony. Prepare yourself to savor a little piece of pizza heaven!
John’s of Bleecker Street
278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
212-243-1680
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John’s of Bleecker Street is undoubtedly one of the most popular pizza places in New York City and has been around since 1929. This coal-oven pizzeria is known for its thin and crispy pies, with just the right amount of char. John’s is small and casual, with a few tables for dining in. But most people get their pizzas to go since the line can get pretty long – especially because it’s known for all the celebrities that have visited, making people even more interested in trying this pizza for themselves. I enjoy eating inside, though, because the decor is old-school and the atmosphere is energetic. And in terms of what to order, you can’t go wrong with any pizza here, but I like to keep it straightforward with a pepperoni and cheese pizza here. The sauce and cheese are incredible, and I don’t want too many toppings to take away from them.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Multiple Locations
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Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is a famous pizza chain in the Northeast. It was founded in 1925 by Frank Pepe, and today, there are several locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and New York. The chain is best known for its coal-fired pizzas cooked in a brick oven. The menu features a variety of traditional and modern pizza toppings, as well as calzones, salads, and pasta dishes. My favorite menu item is the clam pie – specifically in the Connecticut locations – because it is unique, has a delicious garlicky white sauce, and includes fresh clam.
Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-8300
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Pizzeria Bianco is a popular pizza chain in the Southwest. In 1988 Chris Bianco started Pizzeria Bianco within the back corner of a small Phoenix, Arizona, grocery store. There are now two restaurants in Phoenix and two other Italian restaurants he owns, Pane Bianco and Tratto. I appreciate Pizzeria Bianco for its warm and cozy atmosphere, which reflects its humble beginnings. They serve delicious wood-fired pizzas from a brick oven, so every pie is cooked to perfection. My favorite menu item is the Rosa pizza, which includes red onions, pistachios, rosemary, and parmesan cheese. Make sure to order some appetizers and small plates as well, like the fontina wrapped in prosciutto or the local organic greens salad.
Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-258-1367
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Di Fara Pizza is a popular no-frills restaurant serving delicious pizza slices in Brooklyn, New York. Di Fara is the perfect spot to grab a bite to go, as long as you have enough time to potentially wait in line for a bit. What makes Di Fara so iconic is its New-York style thin slices, delectable fresh toppings, and powerful reputation since it opened in 1965 by Domenico De Marco. Domenico, otherwise known as “Dom,” immigrated to Brooklyn from Italy and to this day still makes the pizza pies himself! With over 50 years of pizza-making experience, there’s no wonder these pies taste so incredible. Plus, the restaurant offers a variety of specialty toppings such as porcini mushrooms, sun-dried cherry tomatoes, wild onions, soppressata, eggplant, and more.
Razza Pizza Artigianale
275-277 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-356-9348
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Razza Pizza Artigianale is a brick oven pizza restaurant in Jersey City, New Jersey. The restaurant prides itself on using high-quality, local, and seasonal ingredients to make its artisanal pizzas. In addition to the great food, Razza has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with an open kitchen so you can watch the pizzaiolos at work. The menu features a variety of pizzas, but the burrata one is my personal favorite. It’s also a great idea to complement your pizza with one of their salads, like their kale caesar salad, that’s almost as good as their pizza! Dan Richer, the chef-owner, was born and raised in New Jersey, and his restaurant received a 3-star review from the New York Times. Given its popularity, reservations are required for dining in, so make sure to book a spot if you’re ever in town!
Santarpio’s Pizza
111 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128
617-567-9871
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If you’re looking for New York-style pizzas, but you live in Massachusetts, then you’re in luck! Santarpio’s Pizza is a local favorite, serving up thin and crispy pies in East Boston and Peabody. This cash-only establishment offers a no-frills, old-school vibe that genuine pizza-lovers appreciate. This atmosphere speaks to the fact that the decor comes in second place and the food comes first! You can order any pizza on the menu and feel satisfied. But if you want to take things up a notch, I recommend trying some of their other dishes as well, like the lamb skewers. And just because the place is casual doesn’t mean you can’t grab a drink. They have both wine and beer available at both locations.
Sally’s Apizza
237 Wooster St, New Haven, CT 06511
203-624-5271
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New Haven is well-known for its pizza, and Sally’s Apizza is one of the reasons why. This pizzeria has been around since 1938, making it one of the oldest pizza places in the country! Sally’s is a no-frills type of place, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and a casual atmosphere. Even though it’s nothing fancy, the food is what matters, and boy does Sally’s deliver. Their brick oven pizzas are thin and crispy, with the perfect amount of sauce and cheese. The garlic knots are also a must-try. If you find yourself in New Haven, make sure to stop by Sally’s for a slice (or eight slices) and cheesy goodness.
Pequod’s
2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
773-327-1512
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Pequod’s Pizza is a deep-dish pizza place located in Chicago, Illinois. The restaurant is known for its unique “caramelized crust” that’s made by baking the cheese onto the edge of the cast-iron pan. The result is a crispy, cheesy, and slightly burnt crust that’s absolutely delicious. Pequod’s is the perfect place to go with a group of friends since the pizzas are big enough to feed a small army. Whenever I’m in Chicago, I make sure to stop at Pequod’s and get one of these filling pies, ordering giardiniera – an Italian relish – as one of the toppings every single time. There is also a location in Morton Grove, Illinois, with just as good of ratings.
Emilia’s Pizzeria
2995 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
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Emilia’s Pizzeria is a very small pizza joint where you can grab New York-style pizzas in Berkeley, California. Emilia’s is not as popular as some of the other best pizza places in America, but you won’t be disappointed with this pizza, especially if you order it with their house-made sausage. Because of the tiny space, this pizza place is best for pickup and to-go orders. They organize time slots for ease and organization, which I highly appreciate.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
312-858-5600
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There are a few Lou Malnati’s locations across Illinois and Indiana, but the best one is right in Chicago on Michigan Ave. It’s one of those chain restaurants that have successfully maintained its family-owned and family-oriented vibe, which I appreciate. As you might’ve expected, it’s best known for its Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza. But you might not expect how deliciously buttery Lou Malnati’s pizza crusts are! This restaurant is perfect for takeout, and in addition to deep-dish pizza, I highly recommend adding on the side of their delicious bruschetta to start your meal off with a bang.
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
4039 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
503-281-4060
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If you want pizza, someone else wants to be healthy and eat a salad, and someone else has a sweet tooth and wants homemade ice cream, then going to Lovely’s Fifty Fifty is your best bet! For pizza, I adore their spinach one with crushed tomatoes, capers, fermented chilies, and castelvetrano onions. And if you want to add an egg on top, I say go for it – it’s delicious. I also love that you can get sides for the pizza, like a herb-based ranch to dip your crust or a jar of anchovies oil for extra saltiness. Additionally, their spring garden salad is lovely, and their organic buckwheat honey toffee ice cream is out of this world!
Pizzeria Beddia
1313 N Lee St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
267-928-2256
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In addition to New York, Chicago, and New Jersey, Philadelphia is another great city for tasty, memorable pizza. Pizzeria Beddia is one of the top spots to go to in the town, and it’s known for its daily pizza pie specials. One of the most comical pizzas to order is the “Angry” pizza, an arrabbiata pizza with spicy Serrano pepper sauce and loads of extra peppers on top for an incredible kick. Another popular and intriguing menu item at Pizzeria Beddia is an espresso soft-serve ice cream, which is the perfect sweet touch to end your meal.
Al Forno
10674 SW 24th St, Miami, FL 33165
305-456-3699
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Al Forno Neapolitan Wood Fire Pizza is an excellent restaurant for dine-in, takeaway, or delivery in Miami, Florida. And if you think you can’t get good pizza in Florida, Master Pizza Chef Mateo Ruvolo will prove you wrong. You can’t go wrong with the Neapolitan pizza or the Margherita pizza, and in addition to the pizzas, I’m obsessed with their gnocchi, focaccia bread, and calzones. You’ll get thin-sliced, wood-fired oven pizzas here, which is more challenging to find in Florida. Plus, the prices at Al Forna are very reasonable, which is perfect if you’re on a budget – or simply want to order even more pizza!
Pizzeria Delfina
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
415-437-6800
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Pizzeria Delfina is a must-visit spot in San Francisco, and it’s one of the most popular restaurant chains in and around the city for a reason. Their wood-fired pizzas are mouthwatering, and some of my favorites at the Mission location include the Margherita pizza, the garlic chicken pizza, and the potato and rosemary pizza. I also highly recommend getting a side of their roasted Brussels sprouts – they’re some of the best I’ve ever had. Pizzeria Delfina has a casual yet chic vibe, and it’s a great place to go for a birthday or other type of celebration, especially given their wide menu and extensive wine list.
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
503-233-1286
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One of the best pizza spots in Portland is called Apizza Scholls. It’s a no-frills joint that’s perfect for pickup and delivery. I love their handcrafted pies due to their crusts that are crispy on the outside and showy on the inside. The cheese on this pizza is something to write home about as well, as it’s deliciously gooey and fatty. I also appreciate how easy it is to customize your pizza here. They allow you to do half-half pizzas with entirely different toppings on each side. This is useful when my partner and I can’t agree on which pizza we want but only want to order one pie.
Cane Rosso
2612 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
214-741-1188
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Texas is best known for its beer, barbecue, and country music, but they’re also home to some of the best pizza in America. Cane Rosso is a prime example. There are six separate locations across the state, but the one in Dallas is arguably the most popular. Not only can you get amazing Neapolitan-style pizza here, but they also have a delicious menu of starters, salads, pasta dishes, and desserts. I highly recommend their honey balsamic Brussels sprouts, the burrata salad, and the handmade s’mores plate for dessert.
Joe’s Pizza
7 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
212-366-1182
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Last but far from least is Joe’s Pizza, a no-frills New-York style pizza chain created back in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli. Pozzuoli is originally from Naples, Italy, regarded as the birthplace of pizza, so it’s no wonder his pies are so darn good. Joe’s Pizza has several locations throughout New York City, but the one in Greenwich Village is the most popular. The secret to their success is their use of only the freshest ingredients and their coal-oven pizza that’s cooked to perfection. Their pies are also relatively large and reasonably cheap, which is always a bonus.