New York – The Undisputed Pizza Capital
New York State remains the undisputed champion in the pizza world, with roughly three-quarters of Americans listing it as one of America’s five best pizza states. New York City asserts its dominance in the U.S. pizza scene, with 17 restaurants in major pizza guides, making it the most represented state. The state’s pizza legacy stretches back more than a century, and you can taste that history in every bite.
The best pizza slice in the country comes from L’industrie Pizzeria in New York, while Una Pizza Napoletana claims the title of best pizzeria in America for the fourth consecutive year. The first pizzeria in the United States opened in New York City’s Little Italy in 1905, creating pizza that differed from traditional Neapolitan style to help homesick Italian immigrants feel more at home. Whether you prefer the classic fold-and-eat style from a Manhattan street vendor or the artisanal Neapolitan pies from Brooklyn’s acclaimed spots, New York delivers flavors that have shaped America’s pizza culture.
Connecticut – Home of the Famous White Clam Pizza
Connecticut stands out with its coastal delicacy pizza creations, where clams are used as pizza toppings. At Frank Pepe’s in New Haven, voted the number one pizza in America by The Daily Meal for several years straight, try the famous white clam pizza with freshly shucked littleneck clams, olive oil, garlic, and Pecorino Romano cheese. This might sound unusual, but it’s exactly this kind of creative thinking that makes Connecticut pizza special.
New Haven, Connecticut, boasts the most pizza restaurants per capita in the entire country, with roughly 36 per 100,000 residents. Modern Apizza in New Haven offers an experience steeped in tradition and flavor, established in 1934 and run by the Pustari family since 1988, serving as a beloved member of New Haven’s “holy trinity” of apizza alongside Pepe’s and Sally’s. What truly sets Modern apart is its ultra-thin yet chewy crust, blistered and charred just right from an oil-fired brick oven. The pizza culture here runs so deep that locals have their own pronunciation for pizza – “apizza” (pronounced “ah-beetz”).
Illinois – Deep Dish Glory in Chicago and Beyond
Chicago’s deep-dish pizza represents one of the most well-known and decisive pizza styles in America. Unlike New York’s preference for mess-free slices, deep-dish pizza is almost guaranteed to make a mess, with its crust set in a round, deep pan and topped with a layer of tomato sauce on top of vegetables, meats, and cheese. But don’t think Illinois is just about deep dish – the state offers incredible variety.
Pizza Payaa in Normal, Illinois, creates a vibrant experience with Detroit-style pizzas made from cold-fermented, hand-mixed dough topped with premium ingredients like Ezzo pepperoni and Mike’s Hot Honey. Their pizzas offer a light, airy crust with crispy edges, earning accolades like a ‘Top 10 Pizza Worldwide’ ranking at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo. Interestingly, about half of Illinois residents use a knife and fork rather than their hands to eat pizza, showing just how seriously they take their pie etiquette.
California – Innovation Meets Tradition
California ties with New York as one of the reigning champions for pizza lovers, with each state claiming 10 spots in the top 100 pizza places according to Yelp reviewers. On the West Coast, pizza picks are evenly divided between Northern and Southern California, with Los Angeles’ Bestia ranking number two nationally. California pizza represents the perfect marriage of innovation and quality ingredients.
The Golden State has become famous for its fresh, inventive approach to pizza toppings and its commitment to locally sourced ingredients. San Diego earned the highest average Yelp score of any of the 100 metros studied, achieving 4.35 out of 5 stars. From wood-fired ovens in Napa Valley to creative fusion pies in Los Angeles, California pizza makers aren’t afraid to push boundaries while respecting traditional techniques. The state’s year-round growing season means you’ll find fresh, seasonal toppings that change with the harvest.
Texas – Where Everything Really Is Bigger
Texas proves that everything really is bigger in the Lone Star State at Big Lou’s in San Antonio, where you can order a massive 42-inch pie that’s as big as the table. Even their regular pepperoni pizza impresses with thin-sliced pepperoni that gives the perfect amount of crisp and an on-point cheese-to-sauce ratio. But Texas pizza culture goes far deeper than just size.
Texas ranks fourth nationally with 9 top pizza spots, including Austin’s highly-ranked Home Slice Pizza. Texas BBQ Pizza represents the state’s signature style, combining two of the state’s greatest culinary loves. Houston offers some of the most affordable pizza in the country, with typical large cheese pizzas costing $16.62 and large pepperoni at $18.70, well below national averages. Meanwhile, El Paso serves up the cheapest average large pepperoni pizza in the entire United States at just $15.40.
Florida – Cuban Influence and Beach Vibes
Florida’s pizza scene thrives on simplicity and flavor, exemplified by Steve’s Pizza in Miami where you’ll order at the counter before heading to a graffitied booth to await your slice of heaven. Served on a paper plate, their New York-style slice delivers just the right amount of greasy, gooey, cheesy, and saucy satisfaction. The state’s unique position has created a distinctive pizza culture influenced by both Northern transplants and Caribbean flavors.
Cuban style pizza has taken over pizza lovers throughout Florida, featuring a thick, doughy crust with a thin layer of toppings including mozzarella and gouda cheese. No Name Pizza in Wynwood showcases Detroit-style pies with perfectly two-day fermented dough, crisp cheesy edges, and creative toppings like Roni & Hot Honey or Mushroom Truffle, earning praise as some of the best pizza Florida has to offer. The combination of fresh seafood access and diverse cultural influences makes Florida’s pizza scene surprisingly sophisticated.
Arizona – Desert Heat Meets Pizza Perfection
Arizona boasts one of the most celebrated pizzaiolos of all time in Chef Chris Bianco of Phoenix, who has been touted as among the best pizza makers ever. His magic comes from basic dough, hand-crushed tomatoes, shaved Parmigiano, and fresh basil leaves. The state’s dry climate and intense heat create unique challenges and opportunities for pizza making.
Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix offers a culinary delight with its warm, inviting atmosphere and wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas crafted with house-made mozzarella, hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and perfectly blistered, chewy crust. Their artisanal approach using the finest local and imported ingredients has earned national acclaim as a pioneer in America’s craft pizza movement. Arizona residents show their love for hearty pizzas, with the state favoring Meat Lover’s pizza loaded with multiple types of meat.
Michigan – The Detroit Style Revolution
Detroit-style pizza began in 1946 and differs significantly from Chicago’s deep-dish style. The dough goes into a pan just a couple of inches deep, topped with pepperoni slices, followed by sharp cheese more popular in the midwest instead of traditional mozzarella, all finished with three large stripes of tomato sauce. This unique style has exploded in popularity nationwide in recent years.
Although Detroit pizza has been wildly popular in its home city for many years, it didn’t gain much national recognition until recently, but in 2012, a Detroit pizza maker won the Las Vegas International Pizza Expo. Authentic Italian eateries like one in Grand Rapids use family-secret recipes straight from Sicily to create dense, doughy pies, including the “Sfinciuni Pizze” – a half-sheet-pan-sized pizza with sweet sauce and big chunks of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. The square-cut pizza trend has become so popular that you’ll now find Detroit-style pizza shops across the country.
Pennsylvania – Old Forge and Philly Pride
Pennsylvania features the Old Forge style pizza that’s cooked on a tray, and Pennsylvanians proudly claim they are the pizza capital of the world. The state’s pizza culture combines Italian-American traditions with local innovations that have created distinctive regional styles.
Pizzeria Beddia in Philadelphia provides an exceptional experience for pizza lovers, known for meticulously crafted pies with perfect balance of thin, crispy crust, vibrant fresh ingredients, and innovative flavor combinations. Their commitment to quality and consistency has earned them a reputation for offering the best pizza in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania ranks among the top states for pizza with 5 spots in national rankings, sharing this honor with New Jersey. From the coal-fired ovens of the northeast to the cheesesteak-inspired pizzas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania pizza culture reflects the state’s blue-collar heritage and immigrant influences.
Washington – Mustard Pizza and Pacific Northwest Innovation
Washington has carved out its place on the map with one of the most unusual pizza styles in America, replacing traditional tomato sauce with mustard. The pizza is topped with typical ingredients like mozzarella cheese and sausage, but onions and sauerkraut are also considered necessities for authentic Washington style pizza. This might sound strange, but it reflects the state’s Germanic heritage and willingness to experiment.
The West Coast proves highly pizza obsessed, with Seattle claiming one of the top 3 spots on national pizza city rankings alongside San Francisco and Portland. New York and Chicago traditional pizza capitals still rank within the top 10 most pizza-loving cities. Seattle is known for its coffee culture, but pizza is emerging as the Emerald City’s latest fascination, with nearly half of its pizza joints earning above 4 stars on Yelp and nearly half the population searching for pizza online. These factors combine with an overall pizza restaurant rating of 3.61 to create a true pizza haven.
The pizza landscapes across these ten states showcase America’s incredible diversity and creativity when it comes to this beloved dish. From New York’s century-old traditions to Washington’s mustard-based innovations, each state has contributed something unique to our national pizza story. Whether you’re craving a classic slice or ready to try something completely unexpected, these states offer pizza experiences that go far beyond ordinary takeout. The next time you’re planning a food adventure, consider chasing the perfect slice across state lines – you might just discover your new favorite pizza style along the way.
