2 MD Pizzerias Are Ranked Among Top 50 In U.S.

DARNESTOWN, MD — Some of the best pizza in the country is found in Maryland, according to the new 50 Top Pizza guide based on the findings of a team of inspectors who anonymously evaluate pizzerias around the world.

“Year after year we are noticing changes in pizzerias across the United States that have led to increasingly interesting ideas and that are good for the entire industry,” guide curators Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere said in a statement. “We would also like to mention that the different styles of pizza that our inspectors get to enjoy are also getting more numerous. This is a good thing because it creates a wider variety for the customer.”

According to their list, the best pizza in Maryland is found at Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown. The venue run by chef-owner Tony Conte ranked 21st on the list of the nation’s top pizzerias.

"The pies coming out of Chef Conte’s oven have evolved drastically since Inferno’s inception," the restaurant website said. "Originally planning to abide by strict guidelines set forth by the ruling bodies of Neapolitan pizza in Italy, he’s strayed in an effort to make a more modern product. There is an updated style of pizza, called canotto, finding increasing favor from, amongst others, the younger generation of pizzaiolos in and around Naples. Canotto translates in Italian to ‘dinghy’ or ‘inflatable raft’ - alluding to the airy outer ring serving as crust."

One other Maryland pizzeria made the list — Angeli’s Pizzeria with four locations in Baltimore — ranking 44th on the national list.

"Like the angel on our restaurant’s logo, we have no philosophy but love," Angeli's said. "We seek to spread the love from our employees, to our guests, and create a welcoming and family friendly environment."

If you’re a connoisseur of pizza and are traveling this year, here’s the complete list:

1. Una Pizza Napoletana, New York City
2. Pizzeria Sei, Los Angeles
3. Tony;’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco
4. Jay’s, Kenmore, New York
5. Ribalta, New York City
6. Robert’s, Chicago
7. Don Antonio, New York City
8. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Portland, Oregon
9. Truly Pizza, Dana Point, California
10. ’O Munaciello and La Leggenda, both of Miami (tie)
11. Pizzeria Beddia, Philadelphia
12. Razza, Jersey City, New Jersey
13. Pasquale’s, South Kingstown, Rhode Island
14. Kesté, New York City
15. Ops, New York City
16. Pizza Secret, New York City
17. Partenope Ristorante, Dallas
18. MPN - Mission Pizza Napoletana, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
19. Flour House, San Luis Obispo, California
20. Fabrica Pizza, Tampa, Florida
21. Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, Gaithersburg, Maryland
22. Il Forno, San Antonio
23. Coals, Louisville
24. Nardò, Huntington Beach, California
25. GRANA, Portland, Oregon
26. Craft 64, Scottsdale, Arizona
27. Valentina’s, Madison, Alabama
28. Bricco, Haddon Township, New Jersey
29. Nostrana, Portland, Oregon
30. Antico Pizza, Atlanta
31. Pizza Delicious, New Orleans
32. A Modo Mio, Arlington, Virginia, and Salsa, New York City (tie)
33. Pizza Rock, Las Vegas
34. Tribute Pizza, San Diego
35. Zeneli, New Haven, Connectict
36. Posto, Somerville, Massachusetts
37. Audace, New York City
38. Leña, Cleveland
39. Pizzeria Florian, East Aurora, New York
40. Pasquale Jones, New York, City
41. Pizza Baby, Charlotte, North Carolina
42. Penelope Pizza, Tucson, Arizona
43. Coda di Volpe, Chicago
44. Angeli’s Pizzeria, Baltimore
45. Lincoln Winebar, Mount Vernon, Iowa
46. Hapa Pizza, Beaverton, Oregon
47. Stretch Pizza, New York City
48. Si Cara, Cambridge, Massachusetts
49. Rose Pizzeria, Berkeley, California

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