Best pizza shops in the US? California has 5 — and one spot ranks No. 1, Yelp says
Pizza lovers in California can try some of the top pizza shops in the country, including the spot that ranked No. 1 on a new list.
Yelp released its top 100 pizza spots in the U.S. rankings on Monday, Jan. 23, and it featured five places in five California cities: Pasadena, Laguna Niguel, Covina, San Diego and Los Angeles.
To find the top pizza spots in the country, Yelp identified businesses in the pizza category and ranked those spots based on the total volume and ratings of reviews and other factors.
#1 Sapori Di 786 Degrees — Pasadena
Last year, 786 Degrees’ Los Angeles location ranked No. 10. Now self-taught chef Ali Haider’s pizza restaurant in Pasadena topped Yelp’s list at No. 1.
Like its Los Angeles counterpart, Sapori Di 786 Degrees serves wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas with halal meat.
There’s one pizza that comes to mind for Yelp reviewers more than any other one, and it’s the bombay tikka masala pizza.
It’s made with tikka masala sauce, San Marzano tomatoes, tandoor baked chicken kebab, mango chutney, burrata, paneer, roasted sweet peppers, cilantro, olive oil, grilled onions, Himalayan salt and a “splash of kaffir lime.”
“Tender chicken doused in masala sauce. The crust of the pizza was like wood-fired naan,” one reviewer wrote. “This place definitely won my heart through my stomach.”
Reviewers also recommended the fungi lama, shrimp Tuscany and the Istanbul pizza.
Pasadena is about 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
#8 B+C Pizza — Laguna Niguel
B+C Pizza doesn’t look like a pizza parlor on the outside. But inside a bakery, the owner whips up pizzas that Yelp reviewers can’t seem to get enough of.
“This is pizza gold. It’s basically a speakeasy for pizza. You’re not going to see it or know it exists unless someone tells you,” one reviewer wrote.
The pizza shop is a one-man show run by the owner, Yelp reviewers said. And to get one, customers should order online.
The menu includes 10 different 16-inch pizzas. The burrata pizza is particularly popular among reviewers. It’s made with tomato sauce, pesto “drizzle,” mozzarella and grated grana.
“We ordered the burrata pizza for the first time and it exceeded our high expectations! The crust was thin and crispy how we like it with nice sauce,” one reviewer wrote.
Other pizzas include shiitake and rosemary; garlic white; pepperoni, garlic and basil; crispy potato; and fennel sausage, Calabrian chiles and honey.
Laguna Niguel is about 55 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
#13 Italia Pasta e Pizza — Covina
A family from Amalfi Coast, Italy, moved to the Los Angeles area and started Italia Pasta e Pizza where they serve homemade Neapolitan pizza with ingredients from Italy.
“Simply sensational and delicious Napoletana pizza from a wonderful Italian fam!” one Yelp reviewer wrote.
The pizza spot has a food truck parked at 5101 N. Barranca Ave. in Covina. Pizzas include margherita, pesto and salsiccia, which is served with sweet Italian sausage, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil.
Yelp reviewers rave about the burrata pizza.
“Who puts homemade burrata in the center of their pizza???! Just one of the ingredients that sets them apart from the others,” another reviewer said.
The food truck also serves lasagna and tiramisu.
Covina is about 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
#88 Cucina Caprese — San Diego
Cucina Caprese started as a catering company and recently opened a brick-and-mortar location in San Diego.
The “intimate” and “cozy” restaurant serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, pasta, salad and small bites.
“Everything we have tried it was delicious as same taste you are eating in Italy,” one reviewer wrote.
Notable pizzas mentioned by reviewers included prosciutto e rucola. It’s cooked with San Marzano pizza sauce, fior di latte di agerola, fresh arugula, prosciutto di Parma, shaved parmeggino and extra virgin olive oil.
#89 Esco’s Pizza — Los Angeles
Esco’s Pizza created a menu to bring “East Coast flavor to LA.”
Pizzas include maestro sausage, meat lovers, white, chicken parm, Sicilian square, buffalo chicken and white clam.
The white clam pizza was popular among reviewers. It’s made with baby clams, lemon, garlic, chili flakes, mozzarella cheese, garlic oil and topped with fresh basil.
“My partner has ordered multiple clam pizzas for us and WOW. I know it sounds weird but trust me - it’s amazing. Garlicky goodness with tender clams ... Their crust is perfect and they sell huge NY slices,” one reviewer wrote.
Esco’s Pizza also serves sandwiches, pasta and salads.
Customers can order an 18-inch pie or by the slice.
This story was originally published January 24, 2023 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Best pizza shops in the US? California has 5 — and one spot ranks No. 1, Yelp says."
