By Jeanette Ponder
Lombardi's Pizza, New York, N.Y.
Lombardi's is the first pizzeria in the United States. Opened in 1897, the restaurant has a simple family atmosphere with weathered benches and the original brick oven. Lombardi's makes New York-style pies with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, as well as other toppings like vegetables and homemade meatballs. A popular weekend hangout and tourist attraction, the restaurant accepts reservations Monday through Thursday only, and doesn't accept charge cards. Lombardi's Pizza, 32 Spring St., New York, N.Y. 10012,(212) 941-7994; www.firstpizza.com
Great Lake, Chicago, Illinois
Great Lake pizza is rated the number one pie in America by GQ Magazine's Alan Richman. Co-owner Nick Lessins hand rolls the dough and creates every pie from scratch. The wait is often long; a 6:15 call to Great Lake yielded a pick-up time of 8 p.m. Daniel Zemans of Slice Pizza Blog says, "The perfectly charred crust is astounding; the bread has great flavor and a flawless hole structure that gives it a spectacular degree of chewiness." Ingredients are fresh each day. Great Lake, 1477 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60640, (773) 334-9270
Pizzeria Delfina, San Francisco, California
Craig and Ann Stoll's Neapolitan-inspired eatery boasts six thin-crust pizzas and two daily specials. Ingredients are local, with a seasonal emphasis, and might be slightly unusual. GQ Magazine's Alan Richman raved about a $10 pizza with tomato sauce, heavy creamin lieu of mozzarella, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and olive oil. There is also a wide range of wines, antipasti and homemade desserts. Pizzeria Delfina, 3611 Eighteenth St., San Francisco, California 94110,(415) 437-6800; www.pizzeriadelfina.com
Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix, AZ
Chris Bianco is legendary among pizza connoisseurs, since he makes every pizza that leaves the restaurant. Oprah Winfrey ambassador Gayle King traveled cross-country for his dine-in-only pie. The selection of six pies ranges from $10 to $14, and all ingredients are fresh. The restaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m., with reservations for groups only. Pizzeria Bianco, 623 East Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004,(602) 258-8300; www.pizzeriabianco.com
The Best Pizza in the USA originally published on Travels.com
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