The Best Pizza in Every U.S. State (A 50-State Guide)
Picture this: a crackling wood-fired oven, the scent of charred crust and bubbling cheese wafting through the air, and a slice so perfect it transports you to the heart of New York City or a hidden Midwestern gem. Pizza isn’t just food—it’s a cultural artifact, a love language, and for many, the ultimate travel souvenir.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of foldable New York slices or an adventurer seeking clam-topped pies in Connecticut, this guide unlocks America’s richest pizza traditions, iconic institutions, and avant-garde creations. Let’s embark on a coast-to-coast journey where every state serves up its own slice of genius.
Follow Regional Styles for Authentic Flavors
Every pizza style tells a story, and America’s diversity shines through its pies.
Start in New York, where thin, foldable crust reigns supreme. Rochester, Buffalo, and New York City dominate rankings, with spots like Brooklyn’s legendary coal-fired joints serving slices that embody the city’s hustle.
Over in Illinois, Chicago’s deep-dish pizza—a buttery crust bowl filled with chunky tomato sauce—is a must-try, though locals often debate its merits against the city’s lesser-known tavern-style thin crust.
Head to:
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Michigan for Detroit-style pizza: a rectangular marvel with caramelized cheese edges
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Connecticut for its divisive clam pizza: a briny, garlicky masterpiece born in New Haven
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Ohio Valley for pizza with toppings added after baking, delivering Lunchables-like freshness
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Washington for a mustard-sauce pie topped with sauerkraut and sausage
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Texas for BBQ pizzas with brisket and tangy sauce
Regional styles aren’t just about dough and toppings—they’re time capsules.
At Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, the white clam pizza (a local obsession since the 1920s) offers a taste of Italian-American history.
In Alabama, War Eagle Supper Club revives its 1950s square pie, a crispy, sauce-forward relic that defined Auburn’s pizza scene before chains took over.
Seek Out Local Legends and Innovators
Beyond regional staples, every state boasts pizzerias pushing boundaries or perfecting traditions.
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Pizzeria Beddia (Philadelphia) reimagines the American slice with seasonal toppings like Calabrian cream and caramelized fennel
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Lovely’s Fifty Fifty (Portland, Oregon) crafts sourdough crusts adorned with foraged greens and edible flowers
For a nostalgic slice:
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Visit Gatto’s Pizza (Columbus, Ohio): a 1952 staple serving cracker-thin, edge-to-edge topped pies
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Head to Norma’s Pizza (Lancaster, Pennsylvania): stretch dough alongside a third-generation pizzaiola and savor award-winning New York-style slices
Even Oklahoma City’s Empire Slice House—a punk-rock-inspired joint—delivers creativity with slices like the Ghostface Killah, crowned with ghost chili marinara and BBQ chips.
Don’t overlook newcomers:
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Extreme Pizza’s Shredder: spicy hoisin-marinated pork meets Korean flavors on a Western crust
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And in Caiazzo, Italy—okay, not a U.S. state, but worth the detour—Pepe in Grani’s ethereal pizzelle napoletane (donut-shaped bites with a single basil leaf) redefine minimalism
Embrace Topping Adventures (Yes, Even Pineapple)
Pizza purists might shudder, but America’s topping experimentation is its secret weapon.
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Hawaii: the infamous ham + pineapple combo still has die-hard fans
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Colorado: honey-drizzled crusts sweeten the deal
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Mississippi: French dressing on pizza—yes, really
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St. Louis: cracker-thin crusts topped with creamy, processed provel cheese
Even classics get quirky upgrades:
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Detroit’s Cloverleaf: fennel-spiced sausage under a blanket of brick cheese
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California-style pies: Berkeley’s Chez Panisse features farmers’ market veggies and goat cheese
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Minnesota’s Sota-style: cheese-heavy squares for the brave
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Maine’s Portland slabs: thick, Sicilian-inspired slices that weigh nearly a pound each
The Pizza Pilgrimage: A Delicious Journey
Americans don’t just eat pizza—they live for it.
A staggering 59% call it their favorite food, and 35% would move cities for better slices.
This passion fuels pizza meccas:
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New Haven: queues at Pepe’s snake around the block
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Cleveland: home to hyper-local legends like Eduardo’s and its Polish Boy pizza (yes, with coleslaw)
Planning your own pizza road trip? Target states with multiple heavyweights:
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New York: leads with five top-20 cities—Rochester (#1), Syracuse (#11), and more
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Pennsylvania: Philly’s tomato-pie temples and Pittsburgh’s bar-style standouts
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Rhode Island: grilled “pizza strips”—sauce on bread, no cheese
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Maryland: biscuit-like crusts proving creativity needs no population size
Your Slice Awaits
From New York’s iconic folds to Portland’s floral-topped masterpieces, pizza is America’s edible love letter to diversity.
Whether you’re chasing childhood nostalgia or bold new flavors, every state offers a story—and a slice—worth savoring. So grab a map, bookmark this guide, and let your taste buds lead the way.
After all, the best pizza isn’t just a meal; it’s a memory in the making.
Now, who’s up for seconds?