Support your local pizza shop--name your favorite!

[Vox_Reason]

After reading Redstone's mouth-watering best burger thread, I thought I would stir up some more trouble and get recommendations from you all about your favorite pizza shops across the country.

I've had a lifelong love affair with pizza of all kinds; I've worked for 3 different chains, and would one day love to open my own shop. I also daydream about traveling the country and eating at local pizza shops.

After extensive analysis of "who's got the best pizza?"-related threads on Fark.com containing hundreds of posts, I compiled this list of recommended pizza shops (independents and chains of a smaller scale than Domino's/Pizza Hut) across the country. The number following each shop name is the number of times each shop was recommended by others after its initial nomination:

Lou Malnati's, Chicago--22
Giordano's, Chicago--20
Frank Pepe's, New Haven, CT--19
Gino's East, Chicago--17
Mellow Mushroom, Chain, USA--16
Pizzeria Uno, Chain, USA--16
Sally's Apizza, New Haven, CT--13
John's (Bleecker), Manhattan--11
Monical's, Chain, IL/IN/WI--9
Fellini's, Atlanta--8
Antonio's Pizza, Amherst, MA--8
Joe Bologna's, Lexington, KY--7
Grimaldi's, Brooklyn--7
Aurelio's, Chicago--7
Vincent's, Pittsburgh--7
Lombardi's, NYC--6
Mack and Manco, Ocean City, NJ--6
Modern Apizza, New Haven, CT--6
Pizzeria Regina, Boston--6
Due's, Chicago--6
Outback Pizza, Taos, NM--5
PizzaPapalis, Chain, MI--5
Crozet Pizza, Crozet, VA--5
Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria, Chain, USA--5


Tell us about your favorite local pizza shop! Please include name of the shop, city, and state. Web site links encouraged. What makes your favorite pizza shop the best, in your opinion?

[bicentennial_baby]

1. w00t! for Antonio's in Amherst!

Although, i kinda prefer Pinnochio's in Noho, myself...They're pretty much the same though...and delicious :9

[Tyrone Slothrop]

2. Papa Del's in Champaign-Urbana, IL

For Chicago style

Grimaldi's in Brooklyn for NYC style.

And I also like Monical's for super-thin crust. They're a local chain in rural Illinois.

[AngryAmish]

37. I used to work at Papa Del's

What a strange crew we were. We looked like the bar scene in Star Wars. Great pizza, tho.

Monical's is vile.

[Rosie1223]

40. I love Papa Del's

I grew up in CU.

[Critters2]

74. I lived in the C-U area for 10 years, and I don't think I ever had a Papa Del's

I liked Monical's though.

[fishwax]

97. Papa Del's Calzones are a great and inexpensive meal

mmm...

:toast:

[AllegroRondo]

3. Ruffallo's, in Kenosha WI

best darn pizza in the whole state. and there are a LOT of families of Italian immigrants in Wisconsin.

[momophile]

4. Angelo's Pizza in Denver

I'm not big on Chicago-style or New York-style pizzas; I love Angelo's style!!!

(must note that I wouldn't say no to a pizza though, unless it were maybe one of the chains)

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Santarpio's in East Boston, MA.

Bertucci's, although I remember store #1 in Somerville, MA and the national chain version, dumbed down by corporate interpretation of American taste, is a pale substitute.

Mario's in Clifton, New Jersey.

There are few decent pizza joints in the San Francisco area. The Tomatina chain has passable thin crust pies, as does Zachary's for deep dish. There are a few places in the city proper.

[Goblinmonger]

6. St. Louis people, help me out please

There was a pizza place there in the 90s that served a "super pig" and a "super veg." Does that ring any bells?

[AllegroRondo]

23. Are you thinking of Pointer's Pizza?

home of the "Pointersaurus"

theres also some really great pizza on the Hill, too.

[donco]

69. Fortel's Pizza Den

7932 Mackenzie Rd, St Louis, MO

[Left Is Write]

7. The Italian Pie Shoppe. St. Paul & Eagan, Minnesota

They also have a store in New Hope, MN, but I've never been to that one.

http://www.italianpieshoppe.com/

The Eagan store has great atmosphere, sort of a gangster style reminiscent of the 1920s. They serve drinks in jelly jars. The garlic and gouda pizza is out of this world, they have the best thin crust ever, and I'm craving an Italian Pie Shoppe pizza right now. I used to go there for lunch at least twice a week when I worked across the street for a notorious DoD contractor.


Edited to add - I forgot to mention the Italian fries! A meal in and of themselves.

[ohiosmith]

8. Nora's Cuisine in Las Vegas. The NY white is the best.

[sakabatou]

9. We don't have any locals

Just chains

[jobycom]

17. What about Pizz'a Chicago?

No, I've never been to Palo Alto, I just googled Pizza Palo Alto, and came up with that! :)

http://www.pizzachicago.com/pa/index.htm

Of course, if your profile is wrong, I withdraw my question.

[sakabatou]

18. I went once

Didn't like it. Maybe I should go back and try again.

[SPKrazy]

10. Hideaway Pizza - Oklahoma Based

Stillwater is the original
Tulsa
Oklahoma City
Norman

best damned pizza anywhere, I guarantee it.

http://www.hideawaypizza.net/

[Nicole]

71. Hideaway Pizza

Yes! :9

[SPKrazy]

78. I Knew You'd Find This

and I thought you'd agree

Hideaway is the best in my opinion.

The one in Stillwater seems the best, but they are all good.

We could always go on a Hideaway tour to see which one has the best pizza!

:evilgrin:

[Nicole]

83. Hideaway Pizza Tour of 2007?

I'm soooo ready for that!

:evilgrin:

[SPKrazy]

87. I'm Ready, Willing And Able!

love Hideaway Pizza!

:evilgrin:

[Nicole]

88. ............

Me too! :evilgrin:

[SPKrazy]

89. Well We Should Plan Our Expedition...

Hit all of the Hideaways, might be awfully full of pizza after a way. Have to take a break :evilgrin:


then hit the pizza again.

[Nicole]

90. That's a lotta Pizza

I could do it though. :evilgrin:

[SPKrazy]

91. Well....

I could too

:evilgrin:

what's your favorite topping(s)?

[Nicole]

93. Meat

Lots of meat is my favorite topping. :evilgrin:

I need lots of protein to counter attack all those carbs. :scared:

[SPKrazy]

94. Meat Is Good!

Don't know if carbs yield to the power of protein but it's worth a try!

Meat!!!

:evilgrin:

[Nicole]

95. Yes it is

The Big Country pizza has a lot of meat. :9

[SPKrazy]

96. That's Right!

it does

Now I'm getting hungry.

:9

[fishwax]

98. Hideaway Pizza is great, though my favorite pizza in Oklahoma is

New York Pizza on campus corner in Norman. Well, actually, I don't know if I could really pick a favorite of the two--they're very different in terms of style, atmosphere, experience, etc. They're both great :)

I've never been to the original Hideaway, only the Norman and OKC locations. It's one of the things I miss about Oklahoma :)

[pdx_prog]

11. Olive Garden.....

:evilgrin:

[YankeyMCC]

12. Capri is my local favorite in Arlington, MA

But Pizzeria Regina also gets my recomendaiton for the greater Boston area.

And I can voch for Gino's East. I ate there once and Man was that Good stuff!

There used to be a place in Hyde Park (Boston) called Italiano's. I'm not sure if they're still there or not but they were great too.

[Cannikin]

13. In Little Rock, AR: U.S. Pizza co. and Damgoode Pies.

[jobycom]

14. In Austin, my fave single store is Reale's, and my chain is Austin's Pizza.

Reale's is a moderate price Italian restaurant in a strip center in northwest Austin. Excellent pizza and bread, not to mention the pasta dishes.

My favorite delivery style pizza is Austin's Pizza. Great regular pizza--a little crispy, but still excellent cheese and dough), and some creative alternative pizzas, including soy cheese contraptions, and good salads that are much better than the ice-berg-lettuce-sprinkled-with-vegetable-shavings stuff you get most places. Original dressings, even.

In case ya'll are ever in Austin.

Best pizza I ever had, though, was in New York City, at a little sidewalk cafe just south of the WTC site. I don't remember the name, and I don't know if it was the pizza or the fact that I was in New York (on a cold and uncrowded Sunday) or the company I was with--my five year old daughter-- but it was the best I ever had, for whatever reason.

[Lethe]

76. excellent choices!

Hey I used to go to Reale's all the time. I love their marinara sauce.

Austin's Pizza is great too!

[jus_the_facts]

15. Johnny's Pizza House....Home of the Sweep The Kitchen Pizza!

:9 :9 :9 :9 :9 :9

http://www.johnnys-pizza.com/

A Johnny's original...with generous helpings of pepperoni, mushrooms, ham, black olives, onions, sausage, anchovies, ground beef, green peppers and jalapenos...all crowned with 100% real cheese toppings. Try it!

[Cannikin]

21. They ARE good. I went there when I was in Monroe

[jus_the_facts]

22. Cool...glad you were impressed...taste the same today as they did when I was a kid...

...sans the anchovies and light on the jalapenos!!! :D :hi:

[Blue-Jay]

16. Three Floyds Brewery/Pub = YUM!

ditto on Malnati's & Giordano's.

Big ups on Ha Ha Pizza & The Trail Tavern in Yellow Springs OH.

[Rhythm]

19. Big Louie's - Ft. Lauderdale FL

followed closely by:

House of Pizza or La Strada's - Charlotte NC
HoP has the best round... La Strada's the best Sicilian...

Crisenzo's - Utica NY (at 5-points)

Here in Morgantown?!... Vocelli's

[youthere]

20. *sob* no pizza shops in my area..just Pizza Hut.

[montanto]

24. Casa Bianca Pasadena/Eaglerock THE ONLY

GOOD PIZZA IN L.A.

[EMAN51]

52. Agreed

In fact, my wedding rehearsal dinner was held in the side eating section. The best!

[NewWaveChick1981]

25. Too many to mention...

...but if I had to, Elizabeth's Pizza (small local chain), Greensboro, NC, area; Pollo Pizza Pasta, Greensboro, NC, and Pepper's Pizza, Chapel Hill, NC. :9

[jobycom]

26. fa·vor·ite (fā'vər-ĭt, fāv'rĭt) adj.Liked or preferred above all others;

Seems to imply one. Example: I enjoy allof NewWaveChick1981's pics, but I would blush to mention my favorite. :rofl:

[Strawman]

27. Other great Detroit pizza: Buddy's, Loui's

I think Pizzapapalis is probably the best in the city but it's Chicago style. I think it compares favorably with Giordano's or Gino's East.

But Buddy's, Loui's, and to a lesser extent Shield's and Cloverleaf make a unique kind of Detroit style pizza that originated with Buddy's on Conant in Detroit which is a shrine for Detroit pizza lovers. It's square, deep dish, pizza but it has more of just a brick of cheese with the sauce on top of the cheese and toppings. I've never had sicilian quite like it elsewhere. It's not fancy-assed margherita style California pizza with thai chicken any of that bullshit on it. Enough cheese and grease to kill your ass, best topped with pepperoni. among all of those places, Loui's gets the nod.

There are lots of other good smaller neighborhood pizzeria's. Nona's, Holiday and Bella Cosenza are great neighborhood pizzerias kinda close to me. I never buy chain pizza unless I am absolutely starving. Then I'll go the Hot and Ready route at Little Caesars.

I love pizza.

[1gobluedem]

28. Cottage Inn, Ann Arbor

Mmmmmm.....

Also Pizza House in Ann Arbor. There was a place in Fruitport, MI, that had great pizza but I can't remember its name. It was great.

[Strawman]

29. Those are both good

Cottage Inn has become sort of a chain though. I like the original Cottage Inn more than the carry out joints they have around MI now.

[1gobluedem]

30. The original is still there

And their pizza is still the best. Along with their baked spaghetti....yum.

[Strawman]

33. their baked spaghetti sounds so good right about now

yum is right

[bullwinkle428]

48. I really enjoyed Cottage Inn when I would visit my brother at U of M

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

31. Just about any pizza shop in or around Naples, Italy

Here in the U.S., I've had good Napoli-style pizza only in a few places in NYC, one of which is Naples 45, at Grand Central.

[cloudbase]

32. In Houston

it's Star or Fuzzy's. Excellent crust, sauce and toppings.

Having left Pittsburgh 33 years ago, I'll cast a vote for Vincent's there. I remember many a time seeing Vince making those pizzas with a Kool hanging out of his mouth. It would usually have an inch or two of ash hanging off the end. Hell, it was probably his secret ingredient. Glad to know it's still around.

[kimsterdemster]

34. Starvin Marvin's..

In beautiful downtown Cordell, OK across from this stunning courthouse (spared from a tornado a few years back).

[Blue_In_AK]

35. Moose's Tooth in Anchorage. Yum.

[Wcross]

36. T.K.'s pizza (Fairport, N.Y.) A Rochester suburb.

I live in Tennessee now but I always go to Tk's when I visit my folks.

FYI I have yet to find an acceptable pizza place in Tennessee.

[Vox_Reason]

38. Great responses, folks! Keep 'em coming!

Many new shops to add to the spreadsheet that I hadn't heard of. This is great! Thanks to everyone who's contributed.

[grace0418]

39. In Chicago: Apart Pizza, Spacca Napoli and Pizza D.O.C.

In the burbs: Gigio's in Evanston and Village Inn in Skokie.

I am not a fan of Chicago style pizza but if I must eat it, Lou Malnatti's isn't bad. My favorite is NY style and Neopolitan style. Thin, handmade crust with simple, fresh ingredients on top. OOOH, now I want pizza really bad.

[jpgray]

41. PUNCH! Cleveland and Highland, St. Paul MN

[swimboy]

42. Bottom's Up Pizza, Richmond, Virginia

Under the railroad tracks right by the flood wall.

Barbeque Chicken
Maggie Malay
Karen Combo

I've never had dessert there. I was too full of pizza.

[swag]

60. Sounds like a great place to chow down.

[Arugula Latte]

43. Pizzicata and Hot Lips

(Portland, Oregon)

Hot Lips is organic, socially responsible, etc.

[swag]

51. Funny that more Hot Lips have started sprouting up around town.

When I go, I go to the one by PSU.

[swag]

53. I like Bella Facia on NE Alberta in Portland.

Love the staff, the pizza, the music that's blaring, the wine and beer selection, and usually even the art on the walls.

Lately the buzz has been that Apizza Scholls down on Hawthorne has the best pizza outside of Italy, but I have never been able to stomach the thought of the wait.

Need to try Mississippi Pizza. A lot of friends' bands play there.

Oops, misplaced post. Well, since its Oregonian's Portland subthread, I don't feel too bad.

[Arugula Latte]

54. I need to get out to the cooler parts of town more often.

I'm in Southwest PDX, and, you know, we're not much hipper than Beaverton, except for Multnomah Village.

I used to live on the East side, pre-kids ...

[swag]

59. I really like Multnomah Village.

That's so great. I need to get down there some time.

[Omphaloskepsis]

56. Pizzicata rocks...

When I worked at the PSU bookstore I would eat there everyday.

[bigwillq]

44. Modern Apizza

In New Haven, CT is my fave! And it's on the list! :bounce:

[MassLiberal]

80. Modern--YEAH, baby, YEAH!

Also in the New Haven area:

Dayton Street Apizza in Westville
Olde World on Whitney Ave. in Hamden (the chef used to work at Modern)

[bigwillq]

104. I've never had pizza

from those two places but I think now I will have to check them out.

:hi:

[book lady]

45. Amici's Pizza in Berkley, MI is wonderful....

The traditional pizza's are great and my daughter orders the vegan pizza when she visits from Chicago...

amicispizza.com

[Strawman]

49. I forgot them. They're great! I love that place.

Plus it's a smoke free bar and you can bring in your own music and they'll play it which is very cool!

[jakefrep]

46. Inky's in Toledo, OH...

...Malnati's is a must whenever I visit Chicago.

[bullwinkle428]

47. Dino's Bocce Club Pizza in Buffalo, N.Y.!!

http://www.bocceclubpizza.com/pageDisplay.jsp?pageid=11849

Compared to Bocce Club, everything else is just crap on a crust! :hide:

They don't know how to do pizza in the Midwest. More often than not, I'll end up getting a "take & bake" from Papa Murphy's or Nick & Willy's because the ingredients seem fresher and it just tastes better than the local pizzerias around here, but The Wedge in Iowa City is pretty decent.

[GOPisEvil]

50. Roppollo's and Double Dave's

Both local or state-wide chains.

Roppollo's is local only - New York style. Double Dave's makes better pepperoni rolls, but the pizza is good. :9

[Frank Cannon]

55. I've actually been to Double Dave's

Austin, TX, right?

It was not too bad. And I'm a stickler when it comes to pizza.

[GOPisEvil]

57. There are a couple of locations here, but it started in College Station.

In fact, there's one about 2 minutes from my house here in Austin. :)

[Frank Cannon]

61. Well, then, go Aggies!

Or is it, Hook 'em HORNS! ;)

We went to the Double Dave's in Austin on Christmas Eve a few years ago. I do recall the pizza being very good. Lots of cheese, tangy sauce, and crispy crust. That's what it's all about for me, pizza-wise.

[GOPisEvil]

62. I'm an Aggie.

So, I went to the original. ;)

Their crust is really good. I don't know what it is, but the crust is very flavorful. Get the pepperoni rolls next time. To. Die. For. :9

[VelmaD]

85. Mmmmm...droooooool...

Double Dave's pepperoni rolls.

It's about time for me to whip up a chocolatey dessert and us order some pepperoni rolls. :)

[trof]

58. Jim Bob's Deep South Kosher Pizza and Flea Market.

Burnt Corn, Alabama
;-)

[eppur_se_muova]

63. Mellow mushroom is the pick for vegetarians and DeadHeads.

Their pizza has a great crust, would be good even plain. But they have a regular veggie and a deluxe veggie which is super, with everything up to and including artichoke hearts (although I beg off on the banana peppers). They also sell subs with avocado, tofu and seitan, all of which are great. If you like soft pretzels, they have both cinnamon/honey and garlic/parmesan. In the absence of a truly vegetarian restaurant in the area, MM was my most frequent stop for meals.

I've never seen MM outside of Georgia, though according to their Web site they certainly exist.

DeadHeads will get off on the decor.

[Robeson]

81. They have one in Nashville, and yes, they do have alot of....

...vegetarian choices. They have one with tempeh which is pretty good.

[eppur_se_muova]

64. Hungry Howie's wasn't even LISTED? What's with that?

I love their 'flavor crust', but I was heartbroken when they stopped offering poppy seed crust. Their deluxe veggie with garlic/butter/poppyseed crust was so good I could only eat one when I had some reason to reward myself.

[mdmc]

65. Democratic stronghold - Cracolici's Pizza Broadway Newburgh NY

:kick: For Councilman Sal Cracolici!:kick:

[smtpgirl]

66. Ledo's Restaurant, not to be confused with Ledo's Pizza

Ledo's Restaurant, the original Ledo's Pizza, Adelphi, MD - very close to University of MD

http://www.ledorestaurant.com/

Lombardi's Pizza - Ocean City MD

http://www.lombardisrestaurant.com/

Carabba's

Gepetto Restaurant - Bethesda, MD
3 Brother's Pizza - Greenbelt, MD
Gentleman Jim's Pizza - Gaithersburg, MD

[Race4Peace]

67. Lovezzola's, Bambino's, Vinne Van-Go-Go's

[blitzen]

68. Casanova's Pizzeria (Boise)....maybe the best pizza outside of New Haven, CT

http://www.casanovapizzeria.com/

The guy who runs it is from CT and a true pizza guy. He tries to emulate the great pizzerias of New Haven--and comes pretty close. The clam and bacon with no tomato sauce (a Pepe's classic) is excellent.

[bigwillq]

73. Thanks for giving props to New Haven.

It has the best pizza of any place I've ever been too!

Haven't traveled far but the places I went to, none compare to NH! :bounce: :hi:

[Maddy McCall]

70. Pizza King, Longview, TX.; Chanello's Pizza, Williamsburg, VA; Paninos, Hattiesburg, MS.

Top three I've ever had.

[Critters2]

72. Everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say Casey's General Store has the best crust

of any pizza on the planet. Until they taste it, that is!!

[krispos42]

99. Casey's is pretty tasty

I got that alot when I lived in South Dakota

[TommyO]

75. Manny B's in Bethlehem Township, PA

They have a great "Big Cheese" pizza with mozzarella, provolone and cheddar, I add ground sausage and it's three or four meals for me (well, OK, two or three).

[lildreamer316]

77. Bill's Pizza--Greensboro, NC

Used to work there. Handmade from the crust up. Cut in squares. Almost anything you can put on a pizza is available. Cheap; too. Too bad they are down to just two locations; both a ways from my current house..but I'll make the drive.

Damn. Now I'm craving them. Hope I can afford to go Sat. and get some....

[LostInAnomie]

79. All the pizza places around here are donkey's dick nasty.

:puke:

[Little Wing]

82. The Pizza Factory - Newburyport, MA

They make the awesomest pizza and calzones ever!

[Initech]

84. Oggi's Pizza - Orange, CA

[VelmaD]

86. There are a couple in Austin I like

I'm a fan of Saccone's...though their sammiches are even better than the pizza. I like Austin's Pizza...they make the only chicken pizza I'll eat. And there's Mangia...their pizza is good and they make amazing white chocolate pasberry cheesecake to go with it.

[General Zod]

92. Smitty's Pizza

In the North View section of Clarksburg, WV. Best Italian peppers I've ever had. Mouthwatering delicious pizza sauce.

Here is their website:

http://www.wisemarketing.com/smittyspizza/Menu.htm#Pizza

Smitty Brunetti passed away a few years ago, but his family carries on the tradition of excellent pizza.


Runner-up goes to Mama Ginna's in Summerfield, N.C. Best pizza in the Piedmont!

[QMPMom]

100. Mention Chicago and Pizza to me and I immediately think of Lou Malnati's!

They have the absolute number one pizza on the planet, IMHO.

[PVnRT]

101. Maurizio's, Terre Haute, IN

Any attempts at argument are futile.

[PVnRT]

102. Oh yeah, and another vote for Gino's East

Best damn deep dish ever. Their cornbread crust is awesome, and that don't use sweet sauce for the pizza. And the cheese sticks! The cheese is so melty and soft I've had strands extending from my mouth all the way down my throat before.

[QMPMom]

103. Royal Pizza in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. They have a few

restaurants around the city and all are equally good but my husband and I prefer the original one on the south side. It's got the atmosphere that the others don't.