Is there even a question about this?

Pepe's Pizza on Wooster Street in New Haven, CT.

Nearly tied would be Sally's Pizza on Wooster Street in New Haven, CT.

If those two are packed (and both can have a 1hr wait mant nights of the year) check out Abates (sp?) On Wooster Street.....you guessed it, in New Haven.


Pizza at any one of these places followed by desert at Libby's on Wooster Street

Whatever became of The Spot, also on Wooster St.?

The best chain pizza and one of best pizzas period hands down is Round Table. I'll admit I prefer California style pizza, and find NY/NJ "slices" to be inedible. Shakeys(RIP) also made excellent pies at least in the Sacramento area (Best sauce I've EVER had). My problem with almost all mom/pop "authentic" joints, whatever style they serve, thick/thin/etc. is that the crust is not crispy on the bottom unless they accidentally burn it. If you can fold a slice without the bottom of the crust cracking, it's usually nasty. CPK also makes a good pie, but could use more spices.

Pizza, like hamburgers and hoagies = highly subjective.

For the big west coast chains, yes, but that's saying very little.

If you've had much pizza in the Bay Area, have you tried either Amicis (thin crust, california woodfired, despite the "east coast" subtitle to the name) or Applewood (thicker Cal woodfired)? Both are pretty good and much better than roundtable.

Many places in NY with reheated slices (really, the best way to eat NY pizza - it's not quite as good fresh) will be happy to reheat them "well done."

As someone who grew up on NY pizza, that is, made and eaten in NYC, I find Pepe's Pizza to be vastly over-rated. It's good, but definitely not as good as most folks say it is.

I think once you leave NYC, everything tastes different, especially the pizza. Unless a pizzeria brings in NYC water, it's never going to be the same.

Gino's East in Chicago is the best ever. Period. Nothing like the chicago deep... That is the real stuff.
I also like Monical's pizza in illinois for the non-deep stuff.

Bazbeaux (Indianapolis)
Star Pizza (Houston)

California Pizza Kitchen isn't bad, and if I'm getting it delivered probably Papa John's.

I also like Double Dave's...a fraternity brother of mine owns 8 or 9 franchises, I spent many nights and a lot of money there, half of my fraternity chapter at one time or another worked there, and they have awesome Peproni Rolls. :D

Ok...I'll fess up, I DO have a thing for Peproni Rolls from Double Daves. I've never seen anything like it at any other pizza place. However, I try not to eat them too often these days because they are high in the calories and they seem to go straight to my hips. :D

I wish I still had the metabolism I had when I was in my 20s.

I would have absolutely agreed with you unquestionably until I ate at All Star Pizza in Marietta, Georgia.

I do not know how they do it, but the crust is so reminiscent of New York-style pizza.

Here is a review that I posted earlier in this thread.

Since then, I have taken several FlyerTalk members and family members to this place. They have asked to return.

It even passed the taste test of the most discerning pizza critic: my mother. She ate two slices!

In the east bay, I'd say the following are all worth a try:
(1) Lanesplitter (3 locations in/around Berkeley) - thin, really good
(2) Nizza la Bella (Albany) -wood oven, thin, delicious (albeit expensive)
(3) Gioia (Berkeley) - thin, NY-ish w/california-ish toppings (gets soggy easily)
(4) Cheeseboard (Berkeley) - too cheesy for me, but very good. No choices - the daily pizza is the pizza you get.
(5) Chez Panisse cafe - need I say more?
(6) Pizziaolo (Oakland) I've yet to go, but everyone who has gone and enjoys all or some of my other recommendations love the place.

I have not ordered a "chain" pizza in years.

A very strong second for the quality (and uniqueness of toppings) at Applewood Pizza (Menlo Park & Los Altos, CA)! I'm partial to their "Scandinavian" myself.

HOUSTON - Barry's Pizza
 

My favorite Pizza restaurant in the world. I think they put opium in the dough because it's so good.

It's on Richmond Ave and Fountainview. It used to be in the parking lot in front of Chinese Cafe (near City Streets/Dimassi's, etc). Actually, it had been there long before that Shoping Center ever opened, then they moved to a new building further down Richmond near all the HooHaa Bars (about 15 years ago)

My guess is that those would be a bit of a big step for someone who was giving ^^^ to Round Table and CPK, but hey, you never know!

That said, from my end, I've got good enough NY-ish pizza on the Peninsula (Speederia) and in the city (Village Pizzeria) that the only reason I see to head over to the East Bay for pizza is Chicago-style (Zachary's.)

I am a NYC pizza fan but when in San Francisco, I like Blondie's on Mason. They have a thick crust pizza that I am addicted too. I once thought about getting a short term job there to learn their secret. :D

Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park, Michigan (Dequindre between 9 and 10) is divine...hanging chianti bottles and everything. really really good detroit style (rectangular) pizza...they learned from Buddy's (good in it's own right)