Your favorite pizza

[Shrody234]

There are a few posts in the 'Recent Purchases' thread that got me thinking that this is a topic worthy of further discussion...

What's your favorite pie, slice or whatever you call it?

And more importantly, WHY?

Mine is a tie between two. Both completely different, but equally delicious. Food nirvana.

1 - DeNino's in Staten Island, NY. Thin and perfectly crispy, but chewy at the same time. Not too much cheese or sauce and the bread crumbs on the bottom side of the crust make it satisfying in every way. It just works. A lesser known pizza spot in NYC, but one worth the travel from anywhere.

2 - L&B Spumoni Gardens, Brooklyn. A thick (for NY standards) square pie that is light and fluffy with a crispy bottom. The mozz is placed on the crust and then topped with a vibrant red sauce, olive oil and grated cheese. This stuff is so good it's hard to pull yourself away from it. A NY pizza staple and for good reason.

...now I'm hungry

[TheLiquidGator]

You are a lucky man. From a New Yorker in exile.

[skalls]

Duane's house of pizza in Fargo.

Grimaldi's in Old Town Scotsdale.

Can't remember the name, but there's a cozy place with a stone oven in Green Bay that was fantastic.

[Chefalan86]

Oh man! Probably my favorite food. Pizza is top choice for any meal for me, maybe next to chocolate chip cookies (fresh baked).

Im Port Washington, NY is a place called Salvatores... My fav! The dough is chewy and has a subtle yeast flavor, the cheese is fresh mozzarella and add a little extra cheese with sausage and mushrooms... to die for! Wood fired brick oven gives it the best taste. Wow, I need some on Tuesday. Just recommended this place to a fellow FOH member this morning.

When I travel south to a fiends place in Delray Beach, FL there is a place called Pizzeria Rustica. Airy, Crunchy, old school black sheet tray baked focaccia pizza. Many different topping combos to choose from.... Absolutely the best pizza I've had outside of NY.

[sactochris]

Chicago Fire Folsom California & Roseville California & Sacramento California.

Kips Berkeley California

Celestino's Rocklin California

Blondie's Berkeley California & San Francisco California

Franks Silvus Illinois & Bettendorf Iowa

Giordano's Chicago Illinois

Ray's NYC

[SofaKing]

The following in New Haven CT for the crust due to coal or wood fired ovens.

BAR: Mashed potato, garlic, and bacon

FRANK PEPE: Mozzarella or fresh clam pie

MODERN: Any wth topping of your choice

SALLY'S: pepperoni

[DoubleDD]

Pequods - Chicago (carmalized crust/cheese)

Aurelios - Chicago (sweet and tangy sauce, cheese)

Lou Malnatis - Chicago (cornmeal crust and sausage layer topping)

Bricks - Chicago area (wood fired crust/flavor)

Pequods:

Aurelios:

Malnatis:

Bricks:

[Gunson]

Berkeley Heights NJ. Grandma pie.

[shlomo]

Giordanos - Chicago

Marios - Miami

Casa del Shlomo - Montreal

[Blazer]

Pizza at any hole in the wall restaurant in Naples, Italy or Armand's of Washington, D.C. spinach & garlic deep dish pie.

[helix]

Still a work in progress at home NY style Pie.

[Ghabanos]

Omg. The porn!!!

I love pizza!!!

[Ghabanos]

There should be an FOH daily pizza. Lol

[Extensioncord]

Purists will be appalled, but pizza is one of those things where I believe you fall in love with what you grew up with. So, with that in mind...

My #1 favorite will always be Old Forge, Pennsylvania style square pizze, which comes in "trays" (not pies) of "red" (which is like a lighter Sicilian type) and "white" which is double-crusted cheese only garnished with rosemary and onion. There are a half dozen restaurants that offer subtle variations of this in the town -- and lots of arguments about which is best.

My #2 favorite is Vince The Pizza Prince in Scranton, PA. Thin, crispy crust. Sauce is heavy on herbs. Two cheese blend, garnished with Pecorino Romano. The cheese actually bubble up burns in spots and this is intentional; the pizzeria's motto is "love the bubble." Unlike anything else.

[ky70]

One of my favorite foods.

Giordiano's makes good pizza but to many Chicagoans they are the equivalent of Budweiser to beer lovers (most popular among the masses but not considered the best).

My top list for stuffed pizza in Chicago would be:

1. Pequod's

2. Art of Pizza

3. Lou Malnati's

4. Pizzeria Due/Uno (original downtown locations)

[cigcars]

*The best pizza I'll always remember toward the end of my life was that which I had while stationed in Neckarsulm, Germany in 1978. There was a little restaurant in walking distance from the Artillery Kaserne where I was, and I would always order Pizza mit ei...Pizza with egg. Oh BOY was it fabulous eatin'!!!

[wabashcr]

My favorite New York pizza joint...

[RijkdeGooier]

Make my own.

1. Cut a Turkish round bread on half, so two round bottoms remain

2. Spread a can of passata over two halves

3. Put the toppings on, salami, mozarella, parma ham, parma cheeze, olives and red pepper and onion rings

4. Season with fresh rosemary, basil, black pepper and sea salt

5. Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the bread is toasted, the pasatta less liquid and the cheese has melted

Jummy?

[torsion]

Lucali's - Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn NY

The owner is a friend and also a fellow BOTL. The joint has become trendy/hipster in recent years with celebs going and popularizing but it's simplicity at it's best.

If you guys ever go, take a few sticks with you for Mark, he will appreciate that!

Hands down the best pizza I've experienced anywhere in the world. Light, thin crust, wood oven baked. Simple & highly delicious.

The calzone is also excellent.

Was trying to look for a photo but don't have access here at work whilst I tap this out.Edit - photo update

[Shrody234]

I was in the neighborhood today and had to stop bye L&B, especially since day dreaming about it yesterday and all day today. These 3 went down way too easy.

[GasGuy82]

Chicago - Malnati's followed by Giordano's

San Francisco - Delfina or for late night to soak up the booze it's gotta be Golden Boy. Honorable mention to Little Star.

New York - Only had Ray's

[dangolf18]

Best Pizza I had was in Como, Italy. I forget the name of the place. My favorite type of pizza would probably be Margherita. I've also had some great fancy ass pizzas with truffle oil and stuff...but the margherita is always a a safe bet.

[MrGTO]

Any pizza from Big Eds in Oak Ridge, TN

[Ribeye]

Favorite pizza type is a thick Sicilian with a crisp crust bottom....not burnt.

White clam / seafood pizza is a second favorite, usually a thin crust. YUM!

[ThePolskiOgorki]

My wife's Nonna's pizza.

Queen Margherita-Toronto

Cafe Libretto-Toronto

Terroni-Toronto