Pie In The Sky

By Kyle Hall

In arguably the most contentious ranking in the history of rankings, TripAdvisor (tripadvisor.com) has named San Diego the Number One spot in the nation to bite into one of America’s favorite foods - pizza.

That’s right; America’s Finest City beat out the traditional pizza meccas of New York (No. 4) and Chicago (didn’t even place!).

“Better known for burritos and beaches than marinara and mozzarella, San Diego is now giving travelers yet another reason to visit,” says Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications at TripAdvisor, who should be forgiven for forgetting the obvious alliterative addition of “beer” to San Diego’s claims to fame.

Other media outlets were quick to disagree. Business Insider says, “TripAdvisor has got to be kidding.” Eater.com called the list “ludicrous baloney.”

The rest of the country must be jealous, but here in paradise, culinary victories have become a slice of life.

Pie Chart

Trip Advisor’s Top 10 U.S. pizza cities

1. San Diego
2. Las Vegas
3. Boston
4. New York City
5. Seattle
6. Austin
7. San Francisco
8. Indianapolis
9. Philadelphia
10. Phoenix

Home Slice

PacificSD‘s hometown pizza picks

Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria
897 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas
760.634.7671, blueribbonpizzeria.com
The wood-fired pies at this North County pizzeria were some of the first to elevate the city’s pizza game.

Urban Pi
2673 Via De La Valle, Del Mar
858.792.8000, urbanpi.com
Don’t be fooled by the stripmall location or the fast-casual ordering counter. This spot imports organic ingredients from Italy. The prosciutto/grilled onion combo is a winner.

Bronx Pizza
111 Washington St., Hillcrest
619.291.3341, bronxpizza.com
With San Diego’s now having better pizza (according to TripAdvisor) than the actual Bronx, this is the go-to spot for foldable, thin-crust slices and pies. Be prepared to wait
in line.

Buona Forchetta
3001 Beech St., South Park
619.381.4844, buonaforchettasd.com
Translating to “good fork” in Italian, Buona Forchetta is a new-ish South Park pizzeria. A three-time World Pizza Champ consulted on the menu, which is prepared by a chef trained at New York City’s famed Keste Pizzeria.

Pizza Port
135 N. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach
858.481.7332, pizzaport.com
Pizza and beer is a classic combo. Pizza and great beer is a more recent trend that started at Pizza Port’s original Solana Beach location. If the phrase “Beer Buddies” remains meaningless to you, Dear Reader, it’s time to get thee to a Pizza Port.