Unearth The Voyage
While New York gets all the pizza fame, amazing pies are being made across America right now. From coal-fired ovens in Connecticut to grilled crusts in Rhode Island, talented pizza makers have created their own delicious styles. Each city has developed unique flavors and techniques that make pizza lovers travel hundreds of miles just for one perfect slice.
1. New Haven, Connecticut
Coal-fired ovens create magic that most pizza places can’t match. New Haven’s “apizza” (pronounced ah-beetz) gets cooked at scorching temperatures, creating thin crusts with beautiful black blisters and smoky flavors.
Frank Pepe opened his doors in 1925 and basically invented this style. Sally’s Apizza followed in 1938, and Modern Apizza completed what locals call the holy trinity.
People argue passionately about which place makes the best pie, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them. The coal ovens give every bite that special taste you just can’t find anywhere else.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Everyone talks about deep dish, but Chicago’s real pizza secret is tavern-style. These cracker-thin, square-cut pies started in neighborhood bars and became the everyday choice for locals.
Pequod’s serves legendary pan pizza with caramelized edges that crunch perfectly. Vito & Nick’s keeps the tavern tradition alive with paper-thin crusts that have been satisfying families for generations.
Spacca Napoli brings authentic Neapolitan style and regularly appears on national best-pizza lists. Chicago proves it’s not just about thick crust – the city excels at every style imaginable, from craft pizza to classic neighborhood joints.
3. Detroit, Michigan
Motor City pizza comes in rectangular pans with edges so crispy they practically shatter when you bite them. The sauce goes on top, which sounds weird but tastes absolutely perfect.
Buddy’s Pizza created this style back in the 1940s using blue steel automotive parts pans. Those original pans gave Detroit pizza its signature shape and incredible crust texture.
Loui’s Pizza and Cloverleaf both have direct connections to the original founders, so you’re getting authentic history with every slice. The frico-crisp edges happen when cheese hits the pan sides, creating caramelized perfection that makes Detroit pizza completely addictive.
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly’s pizza scene mixes fancy craft techniques with no-nonsense attitude. Pizzeria Beddia became a national sensation by making just 40 pies per day and closing when they sold out.
Angelo’s Pizzeria draws lines around the block because locals know great pizza when they taste it. The working-class swagger meets artisan quality in ways that feel authentically Philadelphia.
Pizza Jawn (“jawn” is Philly slang for “thing”) perfectly captures the city’s personality. Modern pizza makers here don’t forget their roots – they build on Philadelphia’s blue-collar food traditions while creating something completely new and exciting for pizza lovers everywhere.
5. Jersey City, New Jersey
When the New York Times pizza critic said the best “New York” pizza might actually be across the Hudson River, pizza lovers paid attention. Razza Pizza Artigianale started a friendly rivalry that continues today.
Seasonal ingredients and obsessive sourcing make Razza special. They change their menu based on what’s fresh and available, treating pizza like fine dining without the pretentious attitude.
Hudson County has plenty of other excellent pizza spots that have been serving families for decades. Jersey City proves that great pizza doesn’t need Manhattan zip codes – sometimes the best pies are hiding just across the river from all the hype.
6. Los Angeles, California
California produce meets precise pizza technique in ways that create something totally new. Pizzeria Sei just got named the #2 pizzeria in America for 2025, putting LA pizza on the national map.
Pizzana earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand by combining traditional methods with California ingredients. Fresh avocados, local tomatoes, and perfect weather for growing herbs make LA pizza unique.
De La Nonna and Apollonia’s bring distinct LA vibes to their pies. The city’s pizza scene benefits from having amazing farmers markets, creative chefs, and people willing to try new flavor combinations that would never work anywhere else.
7. San Francisco, California
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana ranked #3 in America for 2025 because owner Tony Gemignani masters multiple pizza styles under one roof. You can get New York, Neapolitan, Sicilian, or Roman-style pizza all made perfectly.
Del Popolo started in a food truck with a mobile wood-fired oven. Now they have a restaurant, but they kept that innovative spirit that makes Bay Area pizza special.
Rose Pizzeria in nearby Berkeley shows how the whole region embraces great pizza. San Francisco’s food scene demands excellence, and pizza makers here deliver with technical skill and creative toppings that reflect the city’s diverse culture.
8. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s chef-driven food scene naturally produces incredible pizza. Ken’s Artisan Pizza cracked the 2025 U.S. top 10 by treating pizza like the craft it really is.
GRANA and Nostrana both earned national recognition for their wood-fired pies. Portland pizza makers focus on high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques while adding Pacific Northwest touches.
Local flour, regional cheeses, and foraged mushrooms show up on Portland pizza menus. The city’s commitment to supporting local farmers and artisan producers means pizza here tastes like nowhere else. Portland proves that smaller cities can compete with anyone when passion and quality ingredients come together perfectly.
9. Phoenix, Arizona
Chris Bianco put Phoenix on the pizza map by becoming the first pizzaiolo to win a James Beard Award for regional chef excellence. He later won Outstanding Restaurateur in 2022.
Pizzeria Bianco locations at Heritage Square and Town & Country serve wood-fired pies that make people plan entire trips to Arizona. The desert heat actually helps create perfect pizza dough fermentation.
Cibo and La Piazza Al Forno offer excellent Neapolitan-style options throughout the valley. Phoenix became a pilgrimage destination for serious pizza lovers who understand that great pizza can come from unexpected places when talented people care about their craft.
10. Providence, Rhode Island
Providence invented grilled pizza at Al Forno, a James Beard-recognized restaurant that changed how people think about cooking pizza. Grilling creates unique flavors and textures impossible to get from ovens.
Pizza Marvin brings modern creativity to the Providence scene. D. Palmieri’s serves Rhode Island-style “pizza strips” – focaccia-like squares with sauce but no cheese, perfect for parties.
The city celebrates both pizza tradition and experimentation. Grilled pizza might sound strange, but once you taste that smoky char and perfectly crispy bottom, you’ll understand why Providence pizza lovers are so passionate about their unique local style that started right here.
