Introduction: Welcome and Overview
Okay, we are ready to begin the proceedings for this evening. Thank you so much for attending. Bonusera, benvenuti, welcome to the 50 Top Pizza USA 2022. I am your host, Andrew Colto, a novelist, journalist, and the editor-in-chief of Italian America Magazine. I write a lot about food, which is why I’m here. We are here to celebrate together this year’s top 50 pizzas in the United States of America. We are doing so in this beautiful room here, live in person, which is a truly unique and joyous experience to do once again. We’re also streaming this worldwide on our streaming platform.
About 50 Top Pizza
Before we begin the awards, let me tell you a little bit about our organization. 50 Top Pizza is an online guide to the best pizzas around the world, without preference to style, and it’s updated every year. The guide does not have any ideological purpose. The emphasis is really on pizzerias that provide local ingredients that are sourced fresh, with an emphasis on the experience people have when they’re in these pizzerias. There’s a real sense of wellness that can be derived from the experience in the pizzeria, which factors into the evaluation system.
The work of 50 Top Pizza begins with a large survey conducted worldwide by about a thousand inspectors. These inspectors visit pizzerias anonymously and use their best evaluative skills while focusing on certain criteria. These criteria include the quality of the pizza itself, the leavening, and the ingredients used. They also evaluate the ambience of the restaurant, the service, wait times, and the beverage list. All these criteria inform the final evaluation, with a strong focus on the overall customer experience.
In Memory of Domenico De Marco
Before we begin the proceedings tonight, we must stop and dedicate this year’s event to Domenico De Marco of De Fara Pizza in Brooklyn, who passed away in March. He was an absolute legend among pizza lovers, food enthusiasts, and people who appreciate soul. The New York Times wrote that he was a working-class hero, but I would argue he was far more than that. He connected Southern Italian cuisine with the culture of pizza as street food in America. The praise from fellow pizzaioli, like Matthew Pass, about what a magical human being he was, is a testament to his legacy.
Start of the Award Ceremony
Now, let’s get started with the list. If you’re here in attendance and your pizzeria’s name is called, please come up and accept your award from the stage. Let’s move through the list efficiently, as we have some presentations from our sponsors later in the evening and a special surprise for you.
Top 50 Pizzerias in the United States (Positions 50-31)
Number 50: Scottsdale, Arizona – Craft 64
Number 49: Tampa, Florida – Fabrica Pizza
Number 48: Redmond, Washington – Sparks Pizza
Number 47: Indianapolis, Indiana – Diavola
Number 46: Key West, Florida – Rustica Wood Fire Pizza
Number 45: Haddon Township, New Jersey – Cold Fired Pizza
Number 44: Denver, Colorado – Cart Driver Rhino
Number 43: Portland, Oregon – Scotty’s Pizza Parlor
Number 42: Irvine, California – Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Number 41: Colorado Springs, Colorado – Basil and Barley Pizzeria Napoletana
Number 40: Portland, Oregon – Nostrana
Number 39: Austin, Texas – Buffalina
Number 38: Arizona – Pomo
Number 37: Chicago, Illinois – Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company
Number 36: San Francisco, California – Flower + Water Pizzeria
Number 35: Louisville, Kentucky – Kohl’s Artists Pizza
Number 34: Miami, Florida – Stanzione 87
Number 33: South Kingston, Rhode Island – Pasquale’s Pizzeria
Number 32: San Antonio, Texas – Il Forno
Number 31: Chicago, Illinois – Forno Rosso
The Top 30 Pizzerias in the United States (Positions 30-11)
Number 30: New York, New York – Pasquale Jones
Number 29: San Francisco, California – Del Popolo
Number 28: Honolulu, Hawaii – Brickfire Tavern
Number 27: New York, New York – San Mateo Pizzeria Cucina
Number 26: San Francisco, California – A16
Number 25: Darnestown, Maryland – Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana
Number 24: Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Mission
Number 23: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Pizza Di Abedia
Number 22: New York, New York – Roberta’s
Number 21: Los Angeles, California – Mozart
Number 20: New York, New York – Forte
Number 19: San Luis Obispo, California – Flower House
Number 18: Portland, Oregon – Apizza Scholls
Number 17: Texas – Pate No Pe Restaurante
Number 16: Portland, Oregon – Lovely’s 50 50
Number 15: San Francisco, California – Doppiozero
Number 14: New York, New York – Ops
Number 13: Kenmore, New York – Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria
Number 12: Phoenix, Arizona – Pizza Bianco
Number 11: Portland, Oregon – Ken’s Artisan Pizza
The Top 10 Pizzerias in the United States (Positions 10-1)
Now, as we approach the top 10, let’s first take a moment for some videos from our sponsors.
Top 10 Pizzerias and Special Awards
Number 10: New York, New York – Roberta Caparusco
Number 9: Miami, Florida – La Legenda Pizzeria
Number 8: San Francisco, California – Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
Number 7: New York, New York – Song and Napoli
Number 6: Chicago, Illinois – Spaka Napoli
Number 5: Miami, Florida – Monaciello
Number 4: Jersey City, New Jersey – Rasa Pizza
Number 3: New York, New York – Ribalta NYC
Number 2: San Francisco, California – Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
Number 1: New York, New York – Una Pizza Napoletana
Closing Remarks and Gratitude
We’d like to thank all the pizzaioli who are here tonight, our partners, and the entire team that made this event a success. Congratulations to all, and we look forward to seeing the top 15 again at the Palazzo Reale in Naples for the 50 Top Pizza Top 100 Pizzas in the World event. Thank you for attending, and we look forward to next year’s event!
