Una Pizza Napoletana by Anthony Mangieriin New York has been named the Best Pizzeria in the USAfor 2022 by 50 Top Pizza. Tony's Pizza Napoletana byTony Gemignani in San Francisco takes second place. On the third step of the podium is Ribalta NYC in New York.
“I feel very grateful and humbled," said Mangieri of coming out on top. "There are many other great places out there working hard and trying to push the boundaries, so it’s a real honor. This inspires us to keep learning and growing every day to keep getting better.”
According to Mangieri, there are many things that make his pizza unique. “The main ones I’d highlight are that the dough is naturally leavened and never refrigerated, and because I’ve been making the dough for 25 years, I’m continuously pushing hydration levels and trying new flour mixes. I also am constantly trying to source better and better ingredients. Ultimately, we approach everything with a focus on freshness, balance, and restraint so that every ingredient and element of the pizza shines through.”
Coming in at No. 4 on this year’s list was Dan Richer’s Razza Pizza Artigianale in Jersey City, New Jersey. Richer was a little more reflective on the awards. “Of course, it's nice to be recognized, but the best part is that they actually got these amazing pizza makers to fly in from all over the country. And to be able to see all of these people in the same room is just amazing. Being able to sit next to Daniele Uditi from LA and being surrounded by a bunch of pizzamakers that he knows and loves, and ones that I know and love. It's just a great community and it's nice to see everybody.”
Richer, who recently published his own pizza-making bible, The Joy of Pizza, is incredibly meticulous when it comes to making his pizza as delicious as possible and it’s part of why he’s constantly rated so highly.
“Instead of following the guidelines of what came before me or what’s authentic, I kind of broke through that and just focused on making a fundamentally delicious pizza. So, I broke down what a delicious pizza means to me into almost 60 different characteristics. Everything from the structure and the build and how dark it’s baked; the crust should be light and airy, but crispy at the same time,” said Richer.
A number of special awards were also given in various categories by the 50 Top Pizza organisation, including the Pizza of the Year 2022 - Latteria Sorrentina Award,which was awarded to the'diavola' pizza at Pizzana in Los Angeles. Pizza Maker of the Year 2022 - Solania Awardwent to Tony Gemignani, whose pizzeria, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, was crowned best pizzeria last year. See all the special awards listed below.
Once again, New York is crowned pizza capital, boasting the most 'best pizzerias' in the US, with nine listed, followed by Portland and San Francisco with five each.
How are the pizzerias ranked?
The ranking is the result of a year of anonymous inspections of pizzerias located thoroughout the US by 50 Top Pizza inspectors. The pizzerias are assessed on quality of the dough and toppings, service, the wine and beer lists and customer service.
What happens next?
The first 15 positions of the USA 2022 rankings enter by right in the 100 best pizzerias of the world, which will take place on 7 September at the Royal Palace of Naples, Italy.
See the full list of the top 50 pizzerias in the US below, and the 50 Top Pizza Europe 2022here.
50 Top Pizza USA 2022: the full list
1. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York, USA
2. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana - San Francisco, USA
3. Ribalta NYC - New York, USA
4. Razza Pizza Artigianale – Jersey City, USA
5. 0’ Munaciello - Miami, USA
6. Spacca Napoli Pizzeria - Chicago, USA
7. Song’ E Napule - New York, USA
8. La Leggenda Pizzeria - Miami, USA
9. Pizzana - Los Angeles, USA
10. Kesté Fulton - New York, USA
11. Ken’s Artisan Pizza - Portland, USA
12. Pizzeria Bianco - Phoenix, USA
13. Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria - Kenmore, USA
14. Ops – New York, USA
15. Doppio Zero - San Francisco, USA
16. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty - Portland, USA
17. Partenope Ristorante - Dallas, USA
18. Apizza Scholls - Portland, USA
19. Flour House - San Luis Obispo, USA
20. Forcella – New York, USA
21. Pizzeria Mozza - Los Angeles, USA
22. Roberta’s – New York, USA
23. Pizzeria Beddia - Philadelphia, USA
24. Mission Pizza Napoletana - Winston - Salem, USA
25. Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana - Darnestown, USA
26. A 16 - San Francisco, USA
27. San Matteo - Pizzeria e Cucina - New York, USA
28. Brick Fire Tavern - Honolulu, USA
29. Del Popolo - San Francisco, USA
30. Pasquale Jones - New York, USA
31. Forno Rosso - Chicago, USA
32. Il Forno – San Antonio, USA
33. Pasquale’s Pizzeria - South Kingstown, USA
34. Stanzione 87 - Miami, USA
35. Coals Artisan Pizza - Louisville, USA
36. Flour + Water Pizzeria - San Francisco, USA
37. Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company - Chicago, USA
38. Pomo - Scottsdale, USA
39. Bufalina Due - Austin, USA
40. Nostrana - Portland, USA
41. Basil & Barley Pizzeria Napoletana - Colorado Springs, USA
42. Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana - Irvine, USA
43. Scottie’s Pizza Parlor - Portland, USA
44. Cart-Driver RiNo - Denver, USA
45. Bricco Coal Fired Pizza - Haddon Township, USA
46. Roostica Wood-Fire Pizzeria – Key West, USA
47. Diavola - Indianapolis, USA
48. Spark Pizza - Redmond, USA
49. Fabrica Pizza - Tampa, USA
50. Craft 64 - Scottsdale, USA
USA Special Awards 2022
Pizza Maker of the Year 2022 - Solania Award
Tony Gemignani, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana - San Francisco
Best Service 2022 - Goeldlin Award
Ribalta NYC - New York
Made in Italy 2022 - Pastificio Di Martino Award
0’ Munaciello - Miami
Best Beer Service 2022 - Birrificio Fratelli Perrella Award
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria - Chicago
Performance of the Year 2022 - Robo Award
La Leggenda Pizzeria - Miami
Pizza of the Year 2022 - Latteria Sorrentina Award
Diavola - Pizzana - Los Angeles
Best Fried Food 2022 - Olitalia Award
Kesté Fulton - New York
Innovation e Sustainability 2022 - Ferrarelle Award
Ken’s Artisan Pizza - Portland
Best Wine List 2022 - Prosecco DOC Award
Ops - Brooklyn
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