Chicago Goes Deep to Win Traveler Recognition as Top City for a Slice

Juliana's in New York City is Travelers' Favorite Pizza Restaurant

NEEDHAM, Mass., July 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel site*, today revealed the top 10 U.S. cities and restaurants for pizza, based on the quality and quantity of reviews and opinions from millions of TripAdvisor travelers.

"Travelers come from all corners of the country to sink their teeth into Chicago's deep dish, the big cheese of pizza destinations according to reviewers on TripAdvisor," said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "New York City pizzerias also toss out an excellent slice, with Juliana's in Brooklyn ranking as the top pizza restaurant in the country and two other NYC restaurants within the top ten."

Top 10 U.S. Pizza Cities

1. Chicago, Illinois
Must-try pizzerias:Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - River North, Giordano's

2. New York City, New York
Must-try pizzerias: Juliana's Pizza, Keste, John's Pizzeria - Bleeker St.

3. New Haven, Connecticut
Must-try pizzerias: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Modern Apizza, Bru Rm At BAR

4. Orlando, Florida
Must-try pizzerias:Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Via Napoli, Red Oven Pizza Bakery

5. San Francisco, California
Must-try pizzerias: Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Il Casaro Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar, Za Pizza

6. Washington, D.C. 
Must-try pizzerias:We the Pizza, Matchbox Pizza, Pizzeria Paradiso

7. Las Vegas, Nevada
Must-try pizzerias:Project Pie, Pizza Rock, Secret Pizza

8. San Diego, California
Must-try pizzerias:Basic, Buona Forchetta, Pizza Port Ocean Beach

9. Phoenix, Arizona
Must-try pizzerias:Pizzeria Bianco, Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana - Phoenix, The Parlor Pizzeria

10. Miami Beach, Florida
Must-try pizzerias:Visa-O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Giotto Maestro della Pizza, Blocks Pizza Deli

"Using time-tested techniques and premium ingredients, the top ten U.S. pizzerias are successful as they always keep their eyes on the pies," continued Brooke Ferencsik. "These popular pizza joints toss up mouthwatering and sometimes unique takes on the American staple, from apricot-sauced pies in Alaska to white clam creations in Connecticut."

Overall Top 10 U.S. Pizza Restaurants

1. Juliana's Pizza, New York City, New York
Opened in 2012 by legendary Brooklyn pizza maker Patsy Grimaldi, this eatery tantalizes taste buds with its thin crust pizza that is charred to perfection under a coal-fired hearth. A TripAdvisor reviewer raved, "The main reason why Patsy Grimaldi is an institution is because he does make outstanding pizza! After all these years, the perfect crust, great tomatoes, delicious mozzarella and toppings galore; try them all, you can't go wrong."

2. Pizza Time of St. Augustine, Saint Augustine, Florida
Located in Saint Augustine's historic downtown, pizza fanatics can get their fill at this cash-only spot that serves up a variety of specialty slices including breaded eggplant, lasagna, and "Grandma's" Sicilian-style. A TripAdvisor reviewer commented, "The pies were fresh and cooked to perfection. We had slices of their meat lovers, spinach white and plain cheese. They make their own sauce from Roma tomatoes imported from Italy, it's to die for."

3. Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, Anchorage, Alaska
After feasting on flavorful pies including the "Amazing Apricot"—topped with apricot sauce, cream cheese, carrots and chicken—satiated diners can wash down the delicious 'zawith one of more than 40 draft beers that are hand-crafted in this pizzeria's sister brewery. "Love the combinations and have tried nearly all of them. Pair it with one of the in house brews and you are in for a treat. There is a reason this place is always packed," said a TripAdvisor reviewer.

4. Keste, New York City, New York
Famished travelers can get a taste of Naples in this popular eatery in the West Village of Manhattan. Italian chef-owner Roberto Caporuscio serves up stringently authentic Neapolitan pizza that is tenderly topped with San Marzano tomato sauce and imported bufala mozzarella before quickly firing in a hand-built wood oven. A TripAdvisor reviewer commented, "The cheese, the crust, the tomato sauce, the slight burn on the crust, everything comes in a harmony to make this pizza what it is."

5. Tony's Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco, California
There's a slice to suit every taste at this North Beach pizzeria that uses different ovens to bake delectable styles including Neapolitan, Sicilian, New York, St. Louis and more. Indecisive diners can place their bets on the shop's premier pie—its Margherita was the first U.S. entry to win the coveted World Pizza Cup. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, "Instant bliss filled my mouth… the dough divine, sauce simply super, magnificent mozzarella, and beautiful basil blended together in the best way imaginable."

6. Pizzeria Regina, Boston, Massachusetts
In Boston's North End, this small, family-run eatery has been toasting perfect pies since 1926. While there is often a line outside, once seated, famished patrons can feast on the Giambotto—it boasts all the traditional toppings and weighs more than three pounds. "The best pizza I have ever eaten! Had to wait about 40 minutes, but it was well worth the wait! Loved the history of the restaurant, location (Little Italy), atmosphere, and the food!" a TripAdvisor reviewer said.

7. Antico Pizza Napoletana, Atlanta, Georgia
Boasting an open kitchen, communal tables and bring-your-own-beverage policy, this casual spot welcomes groups to gather over its delectable Neapolitan pizzas. Conversation may even steer to the standout San Gennaro pizza, a tangy blend of salsiccia sausage, sweet red peppers, bufala mozzarella and cipolline onions. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, "I've never had a pizza with such fresh ingredients. It was pretty cool that you could watch them make the dough and the pizzas."

8. Bill's Pizza, Palm Springs, California
In the Coachella Valley, this pizzeria has amassed a following among desert dwellers and travelers. A sourdough crust creates a canvas for fine toppings including Schriener's sausage and olive oil roasted veggies. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, "We ordered our pizzas and once they arrived it became evident that this was no ordinary pizza parlor. This was the best pizza ever. The crust was thin and not the least bit doughy, the sauce and toppings fresh and tasty."

9. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven, Connecticut
Founded in 1925, this pizzeria originated the New Haven-style apizza—a thin, coal-fired crust topped with tomato sauce (without cheese), oregano, and a sprinkling of pecorino Romano. More adventurous diners can also sample another Pepe's original—the white clam pie. "No matter how long the line seems it moves pretty quick and is worth the wait. After filling ourselves to the brim we decided to order one to go to eat at home later that night," said a TripAdvisor reviewer.

10. John's Pizzeria - Bleeker St.,New York City, New York
NYC pizza aficionados and first-timers will be similarly satisfied at this quintessential joint. Operating since 1929, John's maintains its classic flavor with graffiti-carved wooden booths and delectable pizza pies fired in its original, hot-burning coal oven. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, "There are quite a few old school pizza joints in NYC. John's is among an elite group of the best. You don't go here for fantastic service. You go here for amazingly delicious pizza."

Tale of the Toppings

According to a word search within TripAdvisor pizza reviews, the favorite toppings of travelers (aside from cheese) are:

1. Pepperoni
2. Sausage
3. Mushroom

Methodology:

Top Cities: The TripAdvisor ranking of top U.S. cities for pizza is based on three factors:

• The quality of pizza restaurant reviews
• The quantity of pizza restaurants and their reviews, with more weight given to reviews in the past year
• The ratio of pizza restaurants and reviews compared to all restaurants for the city

Top Restaurants: The TripAdvisor ranking of top U.S. pizza restaurants is based on the quantity and quality of reviews for pizza restaurants, giving more weight to reviews written in the past year. Pizza restaurants were identified as those having a majority of reviews mentioning pizza, a minimum of 500 reviews, and at least 10 percent of reviews mentioning "best pizza."

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 375 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 250 million reviews and opinions covering million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, December 2014

**Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique users, Q2 2015

CONTACT: Erin Millard

         (781) 800-5150

         emillard@tripadvisor.com