Phoenix was ranked among the worst pizza cities on the dumbest list we've ever seen
Andi Berlin
A new data-driven list of America's best pizza cities is so bad, the internet gods have compelled me to write about it. Earlier this month, the loan company Anytime Estimate put out its definitive pizza ranking of 50 cities that pretty much ignored New York and named Ohio as the best state for pizza in the United States.
Worst of all, Phoenix was named #9 in a list of the worst pizza cities in the country, right between San Diego and Austin. Riverside, California earned the dubious honor of worst pizza city in the country, perhaps due to the abundance of California Pizza Kitchens in the area?
Bistro pies:A Michelin-starred Arizona chef makes homey Italian food at this neighborhood bistro
What the heck is this list based off?
According to this list, the best pizza city is Detroit, Michigan, which is obviously amazing for pan-style Detroit pizza. However, it also "ranks No. 1 for BBQ chicken pizza searches." Oh my.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Several other Ohio cities were high on the best-of list, with Cleveland coming in second, Columbus in third and Cincinnati at 19.
This pizza list feels like quite a stretch. So, what's the deal?
According to their website, the data is based on the following factors:
- Google Trends interest in 20 pizza variations.
- Pizza restaurants per 100,000 residents.
- Pizza restaurants per square mile.
- Google Trends interest in general pizza terms.
- Independent pizza restaurants per 100,000 residents.
- Average price and affordability of cheese pizza.
- Average price and affordability of pepperoni pizza.
- Big chain pizza restaurants per 100,000 residents.
The list also includes a breakdown of different categories, like top "taco pizza" cities (Indianapolis, Indiana), top Sicilian pizza cities (Louisville, Kentucky) and top breakfast pizza cities (Buffalo, New York).
The pasta's pretty great too:Try these 10 unique pasta dishes at metro Phoenix restaurants
Arizona pizza is diverse and award-winning
These are interesting categories, but the list fails to measure one very important thing: Chris Bianco. The Arizona pizza icon literally won the most prestigious food award in the country, the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest in 2003, is up for best restaurateur in 2022 and was named "America's Best Pizza Maker" by Bill Addison in a 2015 Eater article.
Bianco is just one of our incredibly talented local pizzaiolos. There's also Claudio Urciuoli of Pa'La and Tanner Locust of Via Della Slice Shop, which I named a best new restaurant of 2021. Downtown Phoenix's Cibo Urban Pizzeria was also named one of the best pizza spots in the country by The Daily Meal in 2020. And all the way back in 2017, Travel + Leisure pointed to La Piazza Al Forno and Spinato’s when they named Phoenix the best pizza city in the country.
Beyond these accolades, it would be almost impossible for any list to capture the stunning variety of neighborhood slice joints, cheesy Chicago deep-dish and rustic Neapolitan restaurants we have here in the Valley.
All this is to say, that list is a fail.
No shade on Ohio, but the only thing I really want to eat when I'm there is Cincinnati chili.
The best of the best:Arizona has 4 James Beard finalists. Here's what to order at each restaurant
Reach reporter Andi Berlin at amberlin@azcentral.com. Follow her on Facebook @andiberlin, Instagram @andiberlin or Twitter @andiberlin.