Best Pizza Across the U.S. (You’re Welcome)
The best day of the year any way you slice it…
National Pizza Day is upon us this weekend (Feb. 9th), which means you have an excuse to head to that dollar pizza spot and not feel bad about it. Heck, you can even grab a different slice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It can be tough to find the best slice, especially when you live in the New York area and travel to a different state. With that in mind, I rounded up some of the best spots you can visit to get a taste of the local pizza.
RHODE ISLAND
Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza — Found in the Federal Hill section of Providence, this pizza joint is owned by Providence native Chef Billy Manzo.
BEST SLICE: Sicilian Clam
PENNSYLVANIA
Caliente Pizza and Draft House — Caliente Pizza and Draft House has four locations in the Pittsburgh-area. Eating a slice of the Quack Attack is a special experience that guests from around the region often call ahead to make sure they can have as only 23 of the pies are sold each day.
BEST SLICE: Quack Attack is topped with pan-seared duck breast, garlic butter, wild mushroom ragu, baby arugula, fontanella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, tomato and truffle garlic oil.
ARIZONA
Venezia’s Pizzeria — Popular for their huge New-York style slices, the slices are cut from a massive 24-inch pie. Their signature thin crust pizza dough is slathered with 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese, sauce that will make you think you’re in Italy, and your choice of toppings of course.
BEST SLICE: The Phoenix Rising Pie ‘The Mala’
NORTH CAROLINA
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza — This spots’s brick ovens enhance the natural flavors of its ingredients, giving their pizza that amazing, wood-fired taste. They also offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
BEST SLICE: Veggie Veneto features roasted bruschette tomatoes spread over cauliflower crust then topped with freshly made mozzarella, banana peppers, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and red onions. It’s then sprinkled with Italian herbs and crowned with balsamic-dressed arugula.
KENTUCKY
Pizza LUPO — Serving Louisville’s first and only true Neapolitan pizza, Pizza LUPO crafts pies and pastas inspired by Mediterranean traditions. Chef Max Balliet utilizes local ingredients atop Old World-style pizza dough cooked in a 900-degree wood-fired oven.
Best Slice: Sting Like A Bee, which is named for the city’s own Muhammad Ali; features Fra’mani soppressata, spicy local honey, tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil
FLORIDA
Dolce Italian — Located at The Gale Hotel in Miami Beach, FL, Dolce Italian offers some of the best slices on Miami Beach. The spot also recently won Bravo TV’s Best New Restaurant for its star-shaped pizza.
BEST SLICE: Tartufata
OHIO
Donatos Pizza — You know a pizza spot is good when it’s founded by a sophomore in college. Ohio State University sophomore Jim Grote founded this spot which now reaches nearly 160 locations across nine states. What makes the pizza unique is the aged smoked provolone instead of mozzarella, square cut instead of triangles, and the brand’s Edge-to-Edge promise that guarantees toppings go literally from Edge-to-Edge.
BEST SLICE: Hot Chicken featuring Nashville hot chicken, ranch and pickles
IDAHO
Firenza Pizza — Firenza specializes in truly handcrafted and made-to-order, stone hearth-baked pizzas that can be customized with nearly 40 toppings.
BEST SLICE: Hot Chicken and Waffle
PENNSYLVANIA
Revello’s Pizza — This family owned and operated restaurant has been using the same fresh ingredients and recipes for over 50 years. “Red” is made with tomato sauce and cheese; “white” is cheese only, double crust, with olive oil and rosemary sprinkled on top.
BEST SLICE: Broccoli White
NEVADA
Buddy V’s Ristorante — Courtesy of world-renowned chef, Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro.
BEST SLICE: Buddy’s Favorite Pizza features spiced sausage, caramelized onions, fennel and four cheese.
TEXAS
Sauce Pizza & Wine — Pizza with potato? Seems odd but is quite delicious.
BEST SLICE: Rosemary Potato Pizza with spinach, feta, olive tapenade & truffle oil and topped with thinly sliced potatoes seasoned with rosemary.
OKLAHOMA
Empire Slice House — OKC’s iconic pizza shop serves up good vibes and unique pies. In a space inspired by 90’s hip hop, its slices are aptly named.
BEST SLICE: Ghostface Killah, which is topped with ghost chili marinara, pepperoni, poblano and BBQ chips. It’s a spicy slice with a ton of crunch, and one of Empire’s most popular pies.
MISSISSIPPI
Saint Leo — Pizza for breakfast?! Yes, please! T
BEST SLICE: Breakfast Pizza features leeks, scallions, potatoes, mozzarella, Green Hill cheese, pork jowl, bechamel, pecorino and an egg.
Now go grab a slice!
