Are you a fan of history? Better yet, are you a fan of pizza? Best of all, are you right in the middle of that very strange Venn diagram? Then it’s time to hit the virtual road for a quick tour of the best and oldest pizzerias in America. Here are 15 pizza shops, mostly located on the East Coast, worthy of your bucket list.
Note:While we highlight 15 of the oldest pizzerias here, we haven’t included all of the oldest spots.
Lombardi’s Pizza
New York
Established: 1905
If this list didn’t begin with Lombardi’s, I feel very much like I’d be arrested by the self-appointed pizza police that are sure to pop off in the comments. The place is 120 years old and widely credited for the creation of New York-style pizza. If classic thin crust pizza is your favorite, you can thank Lombardi’s for helping to make it so popular.
Papa’s Tomato Pies
Robbinsville, New Jersey
Established: 1912
Cheese first, friends. Then the tomato sauce. That’s what’s happening at Papa’s, and that’s the reason these bad boys are called tomato pies. After 100 years in business, Papa is clearly doing something right.
O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria
Utica, New York
Established: 1914
It’s not all about New York City. Upstate in Utica, you’ll find the easy-to-pronounce O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria, also famous for tomato pies. They call it upside-down pizza here, but it’s the same deal: Cheese goes down first, and sauce goes on top.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
New Haven, Connecticut
Established: 1925
Connecticuters feel just as strongly about pizza as anybody in New York, and for good reason. New Haven is a pizza, well, haven, and Frank Pepe might be the most beloved pizzeria in the state. You’re here for Frank’s world-famous white pie, topped with clams, garlic, and oregano.
Regina Pizzeria
Boston
Established: 1926
As one of the most well-known Italian food neighborhoods in the country, Boston’s North End is bound to have a few legacy shops still hanging around. One of them is Regina, which started in 1926 and has grown to over 20 locations.
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Marra’s Italian Restaurant
Philadelphia
Established: 1927
Marra’s has been serving up wood-fired pizzas in South Philly for nearly 100 years now. The brick oven that cranks ‘em out just keeps getting older, but the crowd stays the same age.
Alex’s Washington Gardens
Highwood, Illinois
Established: 1932
10 years before deep dish pizza got big in Chicago, Alex’s Washington Gardens was firing up tavern-style pizzas out in the ‘burbs. If “light cheese” is something you’re used to saying when you go out for dinner, you’re in the wrong place. Alex is gonna cheese it up for you, big time.
Santarpio’s Pizza
Boston
Established: 1933
Technically, Santarpio’s opened in 1903 as a bakery, so if we’re going by opening date, we’ve got the oldest one on the list (pizza wasn’t an option for another 30 years though). Today, Santarpio’s thin crust, tangy pizza remains well-loved, with two Boston locations.
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Patsy’s Pizzeria
New York
Established: 1933
When Pasquale “Patsy” Lanceri and his wife Carmella opened their pizzeria in the 30s, East Harlem was a very Italian neighborhood. They claim to have coined the concept of selling pizza by the slice, but naturally, that’s hard to verify.
Modern Apizza
New Haven, Connecticut
Established: 1934
No, I’m not just saying the word “pizza” with an Italian accent. If you’re going to be extra Italian about it, it’s pronounced “ah’beetz” but I don’t think you’re annoying enough to do that. What we’re talking about here is the iconic thin crust, New Haven-style pizza that makes Connecticut such a pizza destination, and Modern Apizza’s been doing it for 90 years.
Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano
San Francisco
Established: 1935
Tommaso’s is holding it down as the oldest pizza spot on the west coast, and for that, it has my respect. San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood is famous for great Italian food, and there is no tour of historic North Beach that doesn’t include the California-famous establishment. Go simple with as few ingredients as possible; you want to taste that 90 year-old sauce.
Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern
Staten Island, New York
Established: 1937
If you grew up on Staten Island, you’re probably screaming, “Hey, what about Staten Island? I’m walkin’ over here!” or something like that. Well, we’re here now, and Denino’s has been slicing up Staten Island pies for a very long time now. It won’t be hard to find a New Yorker who calls this the best pizza in the state. Don’t leave without a meatball, be it on the side or as a topping.
L&B Spumoni Gardens
Brooklyn, New York
Established: 1939
This place is wonderful; I love it with my whole heart. Heaping, thick slices of Sicilian-style pizza are the lifeblood of L&B, topped with its delicious, oh-so-sweet tomato sauce. And obviously, make sure you finish up with some spumoni; it’s right there in the name.
Pizzeria Uno
Chicago
Established: 1943
Somebody had to be the first to do deep dish in Chicago, and Pizzeria Uno is that somebody. Places like Lou Malnati’s and Pequod’s went on to become famous, but Pizzeria Uno was there first. It’s since boomed into a chain of over 100 locations across 20 states.
Barone’s
Los Angeles
Established: 1945
You’ve seen Barone’s moody, stained glass vibes in countless movies and TV shows, but you know where I’ve seen it? My dreams. Every night. I grew up worshipping this pizza as a kid, and I still do. They’re going 80 years strong here at my all-time favorite pizza shop, so get over there and enjoy their square pies at your earliest possible convenience.
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