- Pizzeria Regina, North End, Boston, MA
From the very moment you line up at Regina's (about 25 minutes from the neighboring door), you know it's going to be a great experience. Rushed, off-the-boat Italians will make you feel respected if you know what you're doing. What makes this place the best? Two words: garlic oil. Shake it up and pour it on along with some parmesan cheese onto a large cheese ordered crispy and you're in heaven. The sizeable slices with a doughy crust with a slight crunch provides the perfect palette cleanser to the fresh, rich, still hot cheese on the slice. An excellent cheese to sauce ratio and a well constructed, easy to eat slice make this an all-around home run.
2. Di Fara, Brooklyn, NY
Coming in at number one this year at The Daily Meal's Top Pizzas in America, this place rightfully deserves a spot in the top 5 and to be perfectly honest- it got here from the Food Court at Caesars! The original location is promised to be better and may steal the show from Regina's next year. The sizeable yet easy to eat slices are a favorite of mine and Di Fara does an excellent job at that. Toss in some fresh basil and some grated parmesan on top and this is a favorite.
Artichoke Basille's, New York City, NY
Perhaps the best pizzeria I've been to when it comes to options. Artichoke is ROBBED at #101 on The Daily Meal's list and at least everyone who has ever been there knows it and the 20 person lines at 3 AM exemplify it. If you are looking for the best margherita in New York- come here. The best pepperoni? You're also coming here. More eclectic options like crab or its namesake; artichoke? You guessed it- you're landing here. As to why its landed at three, the sicilian slices....well let's just say let's keep those in Sicily.
Santarpio's, East Boston, MA
You can yell at me all you want for including two Boston spots in my top 5 but I suggest you at least try Santarpio's garlic and sausage pizza before you do so. What came in at #25 this year on The Daily Meal's list certainly had me impressed. Inconsistent amounts of garlic and a moderately weak base have this one outside the top 3 but for taste, it's right up there.
Zuppardi's, West Haven, CT
Apparently I just have a knack for pissing people off. Including a Connecticut location in my top 5 is not unheard of, in fact it's pretty common. But it's Pepe's. It's Sally's- it's.... not typically Zuppardi's. However Zuppardi's packs a signficant punch with what rivals Regina's as the best cheese. Perhaps the most photogenic (and yes this is a beauty contest ladies and gentleman), Zuppardi's provides a nice crunch to a bubbled up, slightly burnt lower crust and some of the tastiest cheese you will ever find on a pizza. Two slight knocks on it- inconsistent across two different pizzas and a slightly off crust to cheese ratio. Otherwise an excellent selection.
To read more on those just missing the cut... click here.