There is a new pizza capital in America, and surprisingly, it is not Detroit, Chicago, or New York City. California has dethroned New York City as the home of the best pie in the United States.
Pizza Renaissance in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has experienced a pizza renaissance in recent years, with pandemic pop-ups maturing into first-class restaurants that have mastered the best styles from Naples to Detroit. The highly regarded listing of the nation's best pies, 50 Top Pizza, has placed three California pizzerias in their top five, with only one entry from New York City.
Top Rankings
Tied for second place are Pizzeria Sei by William Joo in Los Angeles and Tony's Pizza Napoletana by Tony Gemignani in San Francisco. Fourth place went to Truly Pizza in Dana Point, California, a charming beach town just south of Los Angeles.
It is important to note that New York City still claimed the top spot: Anthony Mangieri's Una Pizza Napoletana secured the number one position for the fifth consecutive year. However, California pizza enthusiasts will point out that Mangieri's restaurant originally launched in New Jersey in 1998 and came of age during an eight-year stint in California, specifically San Francisco, from 2010 to 2018.
Other California Pizzerias
Third place went to Razza by Dan Richer in Jersey City, and fifth place went to Francesco Martucci in Miami, Florida. Three other California pizzerias made the list: Flour House in San Luis Obispo took 22nd place, Nardo in Huntington Beach was 25th, and San Diego's Tribute Pizza was 38th.
Pizza of the Year Award
Additionally, the organization's Pizza of the Year Latteria Sorrentina Award was given to the umami mushroom pie made by Dana Point's Truly Pizza, adding another accolade to California's pizza crown.
Global Recognition
The top fifteen entries on the list automatically qualify for consideration in the organization's ranking of the best pizzerias in the world, a list that is unsurprisingly dominated by Italy. Number two winner Sei is more experimental than other top winners, focusing on daring combinations of dough and topping, reflecting Joo's experience in fine dining. Meanwhile, Tony's in San Francisco has become a pioneer of the rising art of the pizza tasting menu.
Pizza influencer David Turkell told SF Gate when asked about California dominating the top five: 'We don't need their water, but we will gladly take their tears.'
