Italy really did what needed to be done when they created pizza. The simple, savory pie consisting of a dough base, flavorful tomato sauce, cheese, and any number of toppings is a universal favorite (although the jury is still out on whether pineapple belongs on pizza).
But you don’t have to travel along the Mediterranean coastline to find great pizza. The United States has some pretty good options of its own. And we’re not just talking Chicago and New York. Here is the best spot in each state.
Alabama
The ‘world’s best pizza‘ is said to reside at Davenport’s Pizza Palace thanks to its fresh toppings. The spot is owned by former Major League Baseball player Jim Davenport.
Where: 2837 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Alaska
Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria earns rave reviews for unconventional toppings. The Mac and Cheese pizza features Reindeer Sausage, Macaroni Noodles, Parsley, American Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, and Garlic Oil.
Where: 3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503
Arizona
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The signature Margherita pizza from Pizzeria Bianco made with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil is worth the wait. Owner Chris Bianco, who started Pizzeria Bianco at the back of a grocery store in 1988, is a James Beard Award winner.
Where: Multiple locations
Arkansas
The award-winning pizza at U.S. Pizza Company has been a favorite in the Bear state since 1972.
Where: Multiple locations
California
The secret to Pizzeria Mozza‘s success is in Chef Nancy Silverton’s crust.
Where: 641 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles
Colorado
Pizzeria Locale serves as authentic as it gets Neapolitan pizza. Orders can be customized to accommodate dietary needs.
Where: 550 Broadway (6th Ave)Denver, CO 80203
Connecticut
The beauty is in the simplicity of Domenick & Pia Downtown Pizzeria. Customers can’t get enough of their classic cheese pizza.
Where: 3 Brook St, Waterbury, CT 06702
Delaware
Wood Fired Pizza Shop is true to its name. Other offerings include garlic knots, cheese bread, and tomato pie.
Where: 140 E Cleveland Ave, Newark, DE 19711
Florida
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From a trattoria in Treviso, Italy to Miami, Florida, the folks at Spris Pizza pride themselves on using the highest quality ingredients in their pies.
Where: Multiple locations
Georgia
The reviews are overwhelmingly positive over on Trip Advisor for Antico Pizza Napoletana.
Where: Multiple locations
Hawaii
Big Kahuna’s Pizza is locally owned and made, serving a blend of traditional pies along with some specials like the Banzai made with Teriyaki chicken on a teri-glazed crust and topped with fresh mushrooms and green onions.
Where: 550 Paiea St, Honolulu, HI 96819
Idaho
Large New York slices meet Idaho at Guido’s Original N.Y. Style Pizzeria.
Where: 235 N 5th St Get Directions. Boise, ID 83702
Illinois
It’s almost impossible to pick just one from a legendary pizza state like Illinois. But we’re going to go with Pequod‘s and their iconic “Caramelized Crust” Pan-Style Deep-Dish Pizza.
Where: Multiple locations
Indiana
Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza is known for its innovative pies like the Creole that features Papa Roux’s Cheesy Étouffée sauce, smoked Cajun sausage, green pepper, Roma tomato, and your choice of crawfish or shrimp. It’s topped with smoked Gouda cheese and dusted with Papa’s own Cajun spice mix.
Where: Multiple locations
Iowa
Zipp’s Pizzaria may be in the tiny town of Adair, Iowa, with a population of less than 800, but the flavor is larger than life.
Where: 301 Audubon St Adair, IA 50002
Kansas
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AJ’s NY Pizzeria is so committed to bringing New York-style pizza to Topeka and Manhattan that they only use toppings from the Big Apple on their pies.
Where: 1930 SW Westport Dr, Topeka, KS 66604
Kentucky
Impellizzeri’s is known for adding two layers of both cheese and toppings in what is known as a “Louisville Style of Pizza.”
Where: 14 Public Square #100, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Louisiana
Dean-O’s Pizza has been bringing the Cajun flavor synonymous with the state to pizza pies for almost 50 years.
Where: 305 Bertrand Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506
Maine
Handmade Sicilian inspired pizza is the specialty at Slab.
Where: 25 Preble St, Portland, ME 04101
Maryland
Matthew’s Pizza is Baltimore’s first pizzeria and continues to endure because of fan favorites like the 3 Cheese Pie.
Where: 3131 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21224
Massachusetts
Visitors will want to get to Galleria Umberto’s Sicilian-style eatery early because they often sell out.
Where: 289 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Michigan
PizzaPapalis is a must visit for deep dish lovers.
Where: 553 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
Minnesota
Pizzeria Lola adds a Korean twist to their wood-fired pies.
Where: 5557 Xerxes Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Mississippi
Meat lovers will get a kick out of the Carnivore at Pop’s Pizzeria. It’s loaded with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, pork sausage, ground beef, bacon, and mozzarella cheese.
Where: 921 Cedar Lake Rd, Biloxi, MS 39532
Missouri
Imo’s is a chain of pizza restaurants headquartered in St. Louis known for their clever play on a mix of cheddar, provolone and Swiss cheese, ‘Provel.’
Where: Multiple locations
Montana
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Biga Pizza’s brick ovens bake the most beautiful pies with the crispiest crusts. The result is the most mouthwatering pizza in Montana.
Where: 241 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802
Nebraska
Isles Pub & Pizza, or as longtime patrons call it, The Isles, is beloved for its Chicken Bacon Ranch and Leaning Tower of Pizza.
Where: 6232 Havelock Ave. Lincoln, NE 68507
Nevada
Contrary to the name, everyone is fully clothed at Naked City Pizza. The only attention grabbers are their wide range of pizza pies.
Where: 4608 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
New Hampshire
Constantly Pizza produces a consistent stream of unique combos like the Pastrami Bomb and Eggplant Parm.
Where: 108 Fisherville Rd #3, Concord, NH 03303
New Jersey
New Jersey is definitely not in New York’s shadow when it comes to pizza thanks to Razza Pizza Artigianale.
Where: 275 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
New Mexico
If you’re looking for an inherently New Mexico pizza, Trail Rider Pizza has you covered. The Tijeras has yellow squash, spinach, pine nuts, mushrooms, onions, ricotta, and mozzarella on an olive oil base.
Where: 12165 NM-14 b2, Cedar Crest, NM 87008
New York
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It’s tough to crown a champion with so many heavy hitters in the state, so we’ll just show our appreciation to Di Fara Pizza. Even after more than 50 years, Dom still handcrafts each pie with an assist from his kids.
Where: 1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, NY 11230
North Carolina
Blue Mountain Pizza believes in homemade pizza with fresh toppings, and the option of homemade ice cream for dessert.
Where: 55 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
North Dakota
Try Fireflour Pizzeria’s signature white and red pizzas.
Where: 111 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501
Ohio
Want a delicious pizza in a hurry? Pizza Whirl can produce it in three minutes without sacrificing taste.
Where: 1822 west 25th street Cleveland, OH 44113
Oklahoma
Empire Slice House lays claim to the title of best pizzeria in the state with classics like the pork-centric Notorious P.I.G.
Where: 1804 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Oregon
Apizza Scholls is putting Portland pizza on the map. The Pig & Pineapple may also put the ongoing debate to rest.
Where: 4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
Pennsylvania
Pizza Brain is designed to keep their pies on your mind long after you’ve tried them.
Where: 2313 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Rhode Island
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Fellini Pizzeria pairs a killer New York-style crust with unconventional toppings to produce clever delights like the G-Unit: freshly sliced mushrooms with homemade sausage stuffing finished with shaved Parmesan, scallions, and a balsamic glaze.
Where: Multiple locations
South Carolina
Pizza Kovachi‘s Sweet Hot Mama is an intriguing combo of ham, bacon, bell pepper, pineapple, jalapeño + buffalo swirl.
Where: 905 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC 29072
South Dakota
Dough Trader in South Dakota does pizza right with a sourdough crust.
Where: 543 W Jackson Blvd, Spearfish, SD 57783
Tennessee
Follow the giant T on the building to find your way to the Tennessee Pizza Company and their incredibly freshly made pizzas.
Where: 935 Boyds Creek Hwy, Seymour, TN 37865
Texas
Home Slice is a self-proclaimed iconic Austin landmark. Fans of their Pepperoni & Mushroom pizza agree.
Where: 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Utah
Forget pineapple. The Pie Pizzeria has been voted Utah’s best pizza and boasts a Bacon-Berry Pie, a thin crust brushed with a sweet Strawberry-Balsamic sauce with Oven Roasted Chicken, Mozzarella, Crisp Bacon, Sweet Red Onions, and Feta Cheese topped with chopped Cilantro and fresh Strawberries.
Where: Multiple locations
Vermont
Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge pays homage to its Sicilian heritage with artisan pizza and an authentically Italian menu.
Where: 1899 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
Virginia
Pupatella boasts the best Neapolitan pizza in Virginia.
Where: Multiple Locations
Washington
Proletariat Pizza’s Real Hawaiian Pizza turns Spam into a delicacy.
Where: 9622-A 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
West Virginia
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Lola’s specialties include Fig Jam & Rosemary and Pesto Portabello straight out of a stone hearth oven.
Where: 1038 Bridge Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
Wisconsin
Dells Pizza Lab makes its pies right before your eyes, so you can witness the magic personally.
Where: 332 State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Wyoming
Grandpa’s Downtown Pizzeria is a no fuss spot which serves up the biggest calzones.
Where: 1611 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001
