Readers Weigh In On Best Pizza In Tampa On National Pizza Day

TAMPA BAY, FL — As National Pizza Day is celebrated, Tampa Bay residents have no shortage of places to celebrate one of America's top food choices.

Consuming 350 slices every second, Americans rank as the world's second top lovers of pizza. Believe it or not, the top honor goes to Norway.

According to ThePizzaCalc, approximately three billion pizzas are consumed each year. That's 8.2 million pizzas eaten per day, or the equivalent of 100 acres of pizza every day. On average, an American eats more than 6,000 slices of pizza in his or her lifetime.

Approximately 94 percent of Americans eat pizza on a regular basis with 83 percent eating pizza at least once a month and 40 percent eating pizza once a week.

Here are some fun pizza facts:

• 12.5 percent of people eat pizza on any day of the week.
• The majority of pizza is consumed at dinnertime for adults and lunchtime for kids.
• 61 percent of people prefer a thin crust.
• 17 percent of all restaurants in the U.S. are pizza joints. That's more than 70,000 restaurants. totals 70,000+ restaurants.
• Pepperoni is the most popular pizza making up 36 percent of all pies ordered.
• The first pizzeria opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
• Gennaro Lombardi, the first pizzeria in the United States, opened in 1895 in New York City.
• The first cities to sell pizza in the United States were New York City; Boston; New Haven, Connecticut; and Trenton, New Jersey.
• Kids ages 3 to 11 prefer pizza over all other food groups.
• NASA funded and tested a 3D printer that can make pizza for astronauts.

We asked readers to weigh in on the best pizzerias in Tampa and received the following nominations:

Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria

The quality of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria is evidenced in its rapid expansion since Dan and Anna-Maria Bavaro packed up their five kids and moved from New Jersey to Tampa, opening the first restaurant specializing in Neapolitan pizza in Tampa in March 2009. In addition to its flagship restaurant at 514 N Franklin St., Tampa, the Bavaros have opened pizzerias in Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa International Airport along with Oronzo Italian in Midtown Tampa.

The Bavaros are committed to the art and craft of Neapolitan pizza, staying true to tradition by using hand-crafted, wood-fired brick ovens designed by third-generation Neapolitan craftsmen, a 100-year-old yeast culture, 100-year-old Neapolitan recipes and top-of-the-line ingredients sourced directly from Italy.

Favorites include the Quattro Formaggio with fior di latte, provolone piccante, asiago, parmigiano reggiano, spicy soppressata, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil; and the Margherita with san marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte, parmigiano reggiano, basil and extra virgin olive oil.

Oronzo Italian

Go pizza-hopping in Midtown Tampa at Oronzo Italian and the recently opened Colony Grill.

For chef-inspired housemade pizza, the Bavaro family also offers Oronzo Italian, 1120 Gramercy Lane in Midtown Tampa.

Oronzo serves up hand-tossed, sizzling artisan pizza pie including the Burrata with stracciatella cheese, cherry tomatoes, arugula, shredded parmesan and extra virgin olive oil; the Bianco with fresh mozzarella, grilled chicken, basil, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil; and the Quattro Carne with San Marzano tomato sauce, ricotta meatball, Italian fennel sausage, cup and char pepperoni, crispy pancetta, fresh mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil.

Colony Grill

Then check out Colony Grill at 3640 Midtown Drive, a New England-based restaurant with Irish origins that was introduced to Tampa by co-founder Paul Coniglio in September. Another Colony Grill is located at 670 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg.

Colony Grill has become famous for what is now its only menu offering: a one-of-a-kind, thin-crust pizza that is best served with signature "hot oil" topping.

Popular specialty pizzas include the Salad Pizza with the signature Colony crust baked with a touch of olive oil and sea salt, topped with hearty mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots tossed with balsamic vinaigrette and the hot oil bar pie made with serrano pepper-infused oil and sausage.

Colony Grill dedicates space in each restaurant for its "Wall of Heroes," a display of photos that honors those who have served in uniform, either at home or abroad, as first responders or members of the United States Armed Forces. Diners are invited to share their photos of family members in uniform to display on the restaurant's walls.

Due Amici Ybor Pizza & Pasta Bar

John Travolta isn't the only fan of Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar.

The family-run restaurant at 1724 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, founded by New York City native Geo Bunjaku in 2015, earned high marks for its handcrafted sauces and hand-spun pizza dough, available by the pie or the slice.

In addition to the traditional choices — cheese, pepperoni and sausage — Due Amici offers such specialties as barbecue and Buffalo chicken, lasagna pizza, chicken bacon ranch and white pizza.

Eddie And Sam's N.Y. Pizza

Eddie and Sam’s N.Y. Pizza introduced classic, New York-style pizza with foldable slices and thick, flavorful crust, to Tampa in 1982.

Located at 203 E Twiggs St., Tampa, Eddie and Sam's offers more than 20 toppings.

Founder Mike Sarmat attributes the popularity of his pizza to the crust made with the New York water.

Specialties include the Lasagna pizza, made with ricotta, homemade marinara, ground beef, mozzarella cheese and Parmigiana cheese; the Eggplant Parmigiana made with breaded eggplant, ricotta, mozzarella, homemade marinara and Parmigiana cheese; and the Greek made with mozzarella, teta cheese, fresh spinach, Kalamati olives and roasted pepper.