The most important life lesson that I ever learned from my father (one I am sure he learned from his father) regards the most overlooked howbeit important meal of the day: breakfast. The lesson is as followed: you can have whatever you want for breakfast, as long as you finish it. So there I am, in my father’s Italian cafe in Red Bank, NJ. 7 am and four years old with the first pizza of the day stationed in front of me. Steam hitting my balloon cheeks, cheese oozing down the sides of crisp crust and onto the white ceramic plate below it, perfectly sweet Jersey tomato sauce still bubbling with the heat of the pizza oven. This was not your typical four-year-old breakfast. Gone were the pop tarts and bananas and cheerios and toaster waffles. I could have pizza for breakfast. Pizza is not only included in the long list of acceptable food items to have for breakfast but encouraged. My father Victor Rallo had become the pizza king.
My dad is a walking encyclopedia of dough, a dictionary of cheese and oven temperatures, a thesaurus of tomato sauce and topping materials. I am his pizza polishing partner in crime, the pizza poet. He has been on the pursuit of pizza around the United States and Europe for the last forty years. Through horrible traffic, turbulent plane rides and planned detours we have gone out of our way for famous pizza more times than I can count, but it has always been worth it when I am four slices in and not planning on stopping anytime soon. These pizza expeditions have become part of who I am, and our top seven slices should be celebrated and visited by every pizza eater in the world.
#1 Di Fara’s Pizza
Where: Brooklyn, NY
Overview: Owned by Domenico “Dom” Demarco who immigrated to the U.S in 1959. Notoriously long lines but 100 percent worth the wait as Dom hand creates each masterpiece to order.
My Experience: The first place I ever traveled too just for pizza. I was six and climbed on the counter to ask “Where the heck my pizza was”. Yes, I have always been assertive when it comes to my food. Also known location of an epic argument between my parents when my father drove out of the way when en route to family vacation and we waited three hours for one pizza. I ate seven slices. It was legendary.
#2 Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria
Where: New Haven, Connecticut
Overview: Founded by Frank Pepe (born on the Amalfi Coast in Italy) in 1925. Poor and illiterate, Frank arrived in the United States in 1909, leaving two years later to fight for Italy in WWI. Upon returning to the U.S he worked as a macaroni manufacturer and owned a bread bakery before starting to make two simple pizzas (one with tomatoes & parmesan, one with anchovy). He hired many family members including Salvatore “sally” Consiglio (who would split off to open his own pizza parlor — see #3) and became world famous doing what he loved.
My experience: My dad and I visited Yale as an excuse to go and try the pizza at Frank Pepe’s. I didn’t get into Yale, but it doesn’t even matter because the pizza was so worth the three-hour drive. I am begging you try the white clam pizza. That is all.
#3 Sally’s Apizza
Where: New Haven, Connecticut (honestly down the road from Frank’s good for some back to back pizza action)
Overview: Established by Salvatore Consiglio in 1938. Known for thin crust pizza in the same coal-fire oven that has been used for over 80 years! Known for long lines but very worth it.
My experience: I ate here right after my dad and I had polished three pizzas at Frank Pepe’s, but an insider secret is that Sally’s is better. Something about the crust had me in love. I swear I never wanted to leave.
#4 Denino’s Pizzeria
Where: Staten Island, NY
Overview: Award winning thin crust pizza. Opened in 1937 by Carlo Denino and family, originally an Italian restaurant that Carlos transformed into a pizzeria in 1951.
My experience: Do not judge a book by its cover. The outside of this place does not look inviting but I promise you that you will not be disappointed. We sat in forty minutes of traffic just for this pizza and I would do it again right now. Please try the “M.O.R.” Pie (meatballs, ricotta, & all your dreams on a pizza).
#5 Pizza House
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Overview: How could I not include the best pizza on campus at my future home the University of Michigan? Really, really good pizza to have on campus and a definite future weakness this fall. Please try the cheese bread. Just do it.
My experience: Other than a quick stop in to make sure this place held up to its hype (it does) I do not have any major anecdotes yet. But stay tuned, I’ll be in Ann Arbor for good September first and this place is open every day till four in the morning.
#6 Sea Bright Pizza
Where: Sea Bright, Nj
Overview: Seabright Pizza is my favorite pizza place near my house. I am loyal to the Grandma’s pie and Christian's pie both of which you won’t find anywhere else. Hands down the best pizza on the shore and definitely has something for everyone. Additionally, they deliver.
My experience: Recently I tackled an entire Grandma’s pie by myself. It took a full 24 hours to complete, but I was successful in finishing the whole thing. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was worth it.
#7 Pizzeria Bianco
Where: Phoenix, Arizona
Overview: Started by Chris Bianco in 1988 in the back corner of a neighborhood grocery store in 1988. Called “the best pizza in America” by the New York Times and Food & Wine magazine.
My experience: One of the very first places Victor Rallo visited on his “pursuit” to find the best pizza in America. Must order is “The Wiseguy” (wood roasted onion, smoked mozzarella, & fennel sausage). A very, very good reason to travel to Arizona- absolutely worth a five-hour flight.
Enjoy beautiful pizza fanatics & please comment any new places my father and I should try! & remember: pizza is ALWAYS the answer.
