Yearly I sit up for counting down my 5 favourite pizzas from the previous 12 months. I began this annual recap again in 2013. That yr, pies from Pizza Mind, Colony Grill, Desk 87, Micucci Grocery, and Luna D’Autunno (a pizzeria in Vietnam!) made the minimize. Since then, prime accolades have gone to Pizzeria Pico (2014), The Parlor (2015), Westwind Orchard (2016), Pie For The Individuals (2017), Mama’s Too (2018), La Morra Pizzeria (2019), Pizza Rita (2020), Kingston Normal Brewing (2021), Testo (2022), JBGB (2023), and Shaner’s Pizza (2024).
I devoured many scrumptious pies this yr (over 300 slices in whole), however right here have been the 5 finest:
5) LONG DRIVE HOME PIZZA
Michigan & Trumbull
Detroit, Michigan
Lots of Detroit’s most well-known pizzerias have been round for many years, however Michigan & Trumbull is a comparatively new participant on the scene, opening its doorways across the begin of the pandemic. Throughout a weekend journey to the Motor Metropolis this summer season, I headed there proper from the airport. My favourite pie was the Lengthy Drive Residence (vodka sauce, mozz, parmesan, sausage, banana pepper) — easy and simple, however with a pleasant kick from these banana peppers.
4) PLAIN PIZZA
Papa’s Tomato Pies
Robbinsville, NJ
There may be nothing plain about this pie. The oldest pizzeria on this record by about 100 years, Papa’s was based in 1912 and is supposedly the second oldest pizza restaurant within the nation (after Lombardi’s). A frequent pit cease on drives from New York Metropolis to Washington, DC, Papa’s has these old style vibes with overhead desk lights paying homage to a Pizza Hut and black & white pictures adorning the partitions. Feeling adventurous? Give their well-known mustard pie a strive.
3) MARGHERITA PIZZA
L’Industrie Pizzeria
New York, New York
L’Industrie is regardless of the reverse of a effectively stored secret is. With nearly fixed traces snaking across the block at each its West Village and Williamsburg places, it’s no shock that their pies stay as much as to the hype. In previous years I’ve neglected L’Industrie in my December roundups, however I’m making amends in 2025. After a few actually stable outings to each places this previous yr, I’m declaring it list-worthy. When you can’t go flawed with any pie on the menu, right this moment I’m spreading some love for his or her most elementary providing: the margherita pie.
2) APPLE SAUCE AND BLUE CHEESE PIZZA
Sartoria Panatieri
Barcelona, Spain
Technically a anonymous pie from the “seasonal” menu part at a pizzeria as soon as named the third finest on this planet by “World’s 50 Finest,” every chew blew me away. The pie options: applesauce, blue cheese, candy and bitter celery, caramelized almonds, mozzarella, and freeze dried apples. I imply… how enjoyable is that mixture? And the perfect half is that the freeze dried apples are served on the aspect — you have to crush them on the pie your self. I really like an interactive meals expertise (as did my 6 yr previous). This pie was distinctive, scrumptious, photogenic, and landed within the #2 spot on my record of prime pizzas.
1) PICKLE PIZZA
Allday Pizza
Austin, TX
Pickle pizza? Actually? Means again in January, I strolled into this Austin pizzeria with no intention of ordering a pizza with pickles on it. However the man behind the counter beneficial it, so I gave it a shot. Boy, was he proper. It options ricotta cream, mozzarella, sliced dill pickle, shaved garlic, lemon pepper panko, olive oil, and contemporary dill. I’ve by no means had a slice like this earlier than and it was unbelievable. And it comes with a aspect of ranch for dipping. Such a superb mixture of flavors and I’m not even the most important fan of pickles. In line with their web site, today it’s an off menu merchandise, however “you may at all times order it.” They should replace their web site: “you MUST order it.”
