A Slice of Life: My Love Affair with Pizza ❤️🍽️ 🍕
Join me on a flavorful journey as I share my lifelong love for pizza, from my college days in LA to my current favorites in Oregon, and explore the best pizzas around the country and the world.
Ciao, pizza fans, globe-trotting gourmands, and culinary champions!
From my earliest memories of savoring a slice to the joy of crafting the perfect pizza from scratch with my family, my love affair with pizza has been a lifelong journey.
Imagine this: the aroma of fresh dough rising, the vibrant colors of ripe tomatoes, the earthy scent of mushrooms, the tangy bite of olives, and the sizzle of mozzarella melting into a golden masterpiece.
I invite you to join me in an Olympic-caliber competition, where we hit up the best pizza joints, savor the finest ingredients, and celebrate this delicious adventure.
Let’s roll, one delicious slice at a time!
My Personal Favorites - From Scratch to California Pizza Kitchen to Oregon’s Best
As a child, I remember the sheer excitement of pizza night, making pizza from scratch—from kneading the dough to choosing our favorite toppings. The aroma of fresh dough rising and the vibrant colors of the ingredients created a warm and inviting atmosphere for the whole family.
My love affair with pizza took a new turn in the early 1980s, as a starving student at UCLA. Down the road in Beverly Hills, I discovered the original California Pizza Kitchen restaurant, where we had the opportunity to taste-test a new type of California-style pizza. Imagine biting into their Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, with its tangy barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly melted cheese, all on a crispy, golden crust.
This was a time when pizza was being reimagined, and California Pizza Kitchen was at the forefront of this culinary revolution. Their innovative toppings and unique flavor combinations were a revelation, expanding my understanding of what pizza could be.
It was so much better than ordering pizzas from Domino’s with the hope that we would get our cheese pizza for free if they did not deliver in 30 minutes.
My favorite pizza experience in northern California is the Cheese Board in Berkeley. Not only does this pizza melt in your mouth with its deliciousness, but the atmosphere is even better with live jazz music entertaining folks lining up down the block.
Fast forward to today, and my journey has led me to Oregon, a state with an incredible pizza scene. I highly recommend Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland, but be sure to get there early or order your pizza to go!
Nearby in Beaverton, we enjoyed the fusion of Indian flavors with pizza at Bombay Pizza & Curry. Their Tandoori Chicken Pizza (White Garlic Sauce, Cheese, Bell Peppers, Red Onions, Diced Tomatoes, Tandoori Chicken, Cilantro) and Shahi Paneer Pizza (Curry Sauce, Cheese, Masala Paneer, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cilantro) are a must-try.
The Best Pizzas Around the Country and the World
Pizza is a universal language, a culinary passport that takes you from the bustling streets of Naples to the neon-lit avenues of New York, from the deep-dish havens of Chicago to the innovative kitchens of California. It’s a dish that transcends borders, a canvas for creativity, and a comfort food that brings people together. Whether it’s a classic Margherita in Italy or a BBQ Chicken Pizza in San Francisco, each slice tells a story, each bite is a delicious adventure.
Top 10 Pizzas in the USA
In the USA, places like Una Pizza Napoletana in New York City and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco are setting high standards for pizza excellence according to 50 Top Pizza.
Una Pizza Napoletana - New York City, NY: Known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana - San Francisco, CA: Famous for its variety of pizza styles and award-winning pies.
Pizzeria Beddia - Philadelphia, PA: Celebrated for its simple yet flavorful pizzas.
Ribalta - New York City, NY: Offers a true taste of Naples with its traditional recipes.
Ken’s Artisan Pizza - Portland, OR: Known for its wood-fired pizzas and sustainable practices.
Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria - Kenmore, NY: Praised for its high-quality ingredients and craftsmanship.
Don Antonio - New York City, NY: Renowned for its innovative toppings and classic flavors.
Pizzeria Sei - Los Angeles, CA: A favorite for its authentic Japanese-style pizzas.
La Leggenda - Miami, FL: Combines traditional Italian techniques with local ingredients.
Robert’s Pizza Company - Chicago, IL: Famous for its unique take on Chicago-style pizza.
Top 10 Pizzas Around the World
Internationally, the pizza scene is equally exciting. From the traditional Pizza Margherita in Naples, Italy, to the unique Greek Pizza with its fresh vegetables and feta cheese, pizza is as diverse as it is delicious according to 50 Top Pizza.
I Masanielli - Caserta, Italy: Known for its perfect balance of flavors and textures.
10 Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria - Naples, Italy: Celebrated for its innovative approach to traditional pizza.
Una Pizza Napoletana - New York, USA: A top contender globally for its authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Sartoria Panatieri - Barcelona, Spain: Famous for its creative toppings and artisanal approach.
The Pizza Bar on 38th - Tokyo, Japan: Known for its unique fusion of Japanese and Italian flavors.
I Tigli - San Bonifacio, Italy: Renowned for its gourmet pizzas and high-quality ingredients.
Seu Pizza Illuminati - Rome, Italy: A favorite for its modern twist on classic Roman pizza.
50 Kalò - Naples, Italy: Celebrated for its light and airy crust.
Bottega - Beijing, China: Known for its authentic Italian pizzas in the heart of Beijing.
180g Pizzeria Romana - Rome, Italy: Famous for its traditional Roman-style pizza
What about you? I’d love to hear about your favorite pizza and the best pizza joint restaurant you’ve ever visited. Share your stories and recommendations in the comments below!
I love CPK! I also love that six of the top ten pizza places in the world are in Italy. Ciao bello!