My pizza journey began like lots of people’s — consuming it continually. However at 15, whereas working as a dishwasher in a Northeastern Pennsylvania pizzeria, I turned fascinated with the craft. I wished to make pizza like the blokes on the road.
That curiosity was an obsession.
In the present day I’ve been making pizza for greater than 25 years and reviewing it throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania since 2012 by way of NEPA Pizza Evaluate. I’ve tasted tons of of pizzas throughout Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Previous Forge, and past, and I’ve discovered that each nice pizza tells a narrative.
I’m additionally the co-founder of the Digital Pizza Academy with JimmyHank Pizza, the place we train individuals learn how to make pizzeria-quality pizza at residence. So I come at critiques not simply as a fan — however as somebody who understands the craft behind the tray.
My NEPA Pizza Evaluate Ranking Scale (And What the Scores Actually Imply)
I take advantage of a 1–10 grading system, however right here’s one thing essential:
My scale is compressed.
As a result of I analysis pizzerias beforehand, most pizzas fall between roughly 6 and 9.
- 7.5 → stable, common to above-average pizza
- 8+ → excellent pizza price driving 30–60 minutes for
- Under 6 → uncommon, and often not one thing I’d spotlight until it’s fascinating or distinctive
Usually talking, pizzas scoring above a 7 earn the NEPA Pizza Evaluate Permitted sticker, that means I’d advocate others strive it.
However right here’s the reality…
The Rating Isn’t the Most Vital Half
My critiques don’t exist to rank pizza with numbers.
They exist to describe the pizza precisely so you may determine if it suits your preferences.
I take pleasure in telling you:
- the way it’s cooked
- what it tastes like
- the textures
- the steadiness
- the type
The rating is generally for my very own monitoring and comparability.
The outline is what issues most.
1. Crust: Fermentation, Dealing with, Construction & Aroma
The crust tells you every part a couple of pizza.
I search for:
- Fermentation depth and dough taste
- Whether or not the dough was dealt with correctly
- Even stretching vs. skinny weak spots
- Construction — does it maintain or flop?
- Crispness vs. softness
- Even the aroma earlier than the primary chunk
An excellent dough ought to scent inviting and style developed, not bland.
2. Sauce: Texture, Sweetness & NEPA Expectations
Sauce texture issues loads to individuals in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
I notice:
- Clean vs. chunky
- Presence of onions or seen substances
- Thickness and consistency
- Sweetness stage (crucial in NEPA)
- Whether or not it leans candy, impartial, or acidic
Folks need to know precisely what they’re getting earlier than they order.
3. Cheese: The Mix Guessing Sport
Cheese blends are a part of NEPA pizza tradition.
Frequent cheeses embody:
- Mozzarella
- American
- Cheddar
- Muenster
- Provolone
I attempt to establish or guess the mix, consider soften, protection, taste, and the way it interacts with the remainder of the pizza. Readers love this element.
4. Bake & Crispness: Full Disclosure on My Choice
Most NEPA pizzerias bake their pizzas lighter than I personally favor.
I’m a fan of a extra well-done pizza, and I usually order it that means.
Once I do, I disclose it and clarify how the pizzeria dealt with the request.
I’m taking a look at:
- Backside crispness
- edge coloration
- evenness of bake
- whether or not the pizza holds construction
5. Total Style: Steadiness and Proportions Matter Most
A pizza can have nice particular person parts and nonetheless fail if the proportions are off.
I consider:
- dough-to-sauce steadiness
- sauce-to-cheese ratio
- whether or not one ingredient dominates
- whether or not the flavors work collectively
If the sauce is superb however buried beneath an excessive amount of dough or cheese, that impacts the rating.
Pizza is about concord.
6. Worth: It’s Not Simply About Worth
Worth isn’t about how low-cost one thing is.
I take a look at the mix of:
A pizza can price extra however nonetheless be an awesome worth if the standard and expertise justify it.
7. The Intangibles: The X-Issue That Can Transfer a Rating
Typically a pizza stands out in methods numbers don’t seize.
I’ll modify for:
- distinctive substances
- distinctive high quality merchandise
- one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than
- a memorable expertise
Nice pizza isn’t all the time formulaic.
Whereas the score focuses on the pizza, I all the time take within the full expertise.
I discover:
- how I’m greeted
- cleanliness
- parking and accessibility
- signage and branding
- social media presence
- whether or not I can see into the kitchen
- total vibe and inclusivity
This stuff form the story I inform within the evaluate, even when they don’t straight influence the rating.
After a long time of constructing and consuming pizza throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, I’ve discovered one factor:
There’s no single “finest pizza.”
There’s solely the pizza that’s finest for you.
My job is to explain it clearly sufficient so you realize what you’re strolling into.
Let’s Speak Pizza
I’ll depart you with this:
Do you assume a pizza reviewer must know learn how to make pizza to be credible?
Drop your ideas — I’d love to listen to them.
Wish to know what the most effective pizza sauce is? I examined, ranked, and scored all of them! Listed below are my Pizza Sauce Rankings!
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