The Pizza Locust

Democracy and pizza, does it mix? No. I’ve discussed this before, unless all voters have had the opportunity to sample all candidate pizzas in controlled circumstances, voting for “the best” is an exercise in voting for “the familiar.”

So, do I bother with the AOL City Guide’s Best of Phoenix? I don’t pay it much credence, but I do at least use it as a measure of what’s currently trendy or, at least, on the top of people’s minds.

So, for the full write-up by AOL City Guide, see their City’s Best 2007 - Best Pizza feature.

I’m going to recap the top 10 and give my thoughts on them because a few of them warrant some mention.

#1 Oregano’s - I’d be hard-pressed to pick a single best pizza place in Phoenix. There is no restaurant that produces a consistent enough pizza to be the overwhelming best. That said, Oregano’s does produce a darned good and consistent pizza. Stuffed crust is their best, but their thin is no slouch either. They certainly deserve to be in the running even if I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are the best. Of the restaurants on this list that we’ve tested, I’d agree they are the best of the bunch. Pizza Locust Review. Jan-10-2006.

Congratulations to Oregano’s for the win, pity it’s just going to make it harder to get into their already crowded locations.

#2 Nello’s - Nello’s has been a long-time east valley fixture, and that worked out a lot better for me when I lived on the east side. I can’t say when I ate my first Nello’s pizza, but it’s been nearly 20 years. In a metro area like Phoenix that can kill well-established national chains with ease, that’s no small feat. Pizza Locust did a review pizza about 6 months ago, but due to a technical problem, the review wasn’t posted. We’ll be doing a fresh review in the near future. Conclusion of the reviewers from the last visit: Nello’s is still good, but not as good as it used to be. I love their Pizza breads, just don’t expect to eat a full order of those and then have any room left for pizza. [Update 2/22/2007 - Reviewed for Pizza Week]

#3 Patsy Grimaldi’s Pizzeria - On the list for review in the near future. [Update 2/21/2007 - Reviewed for Pizza Week]

#4 Pizzeria Bianco - What can you say about a place that’s been rated the best pizza in the entire country? There’s just one thing to say: It’s overrated. I’m not saying it’s bad, I’ve had several Pizzaria Bianco pizzas and they were all above average. Not great. Not amazing. Not fan-frickin’-tastic. And certainly not the best pizza in the US. If it were, how could it come in fourth on this poll? There’s a simple answer for that: Not many people get to eat at Pizzaria Bianco. You’ve got to be willing to sit in the bar a couple hours to have the honor of dining in their establishment. Personally, I refuse to subject myself to that. I used to eat there years ago when they were in their original location, that’s why you won’t see a Pizza Locust review of Pizzeria Bianco anytime soon. (Unless they want to jump me to the front of the queue one evening.*)

#5 Cibo - On the list for review in the near future.

#6 Pie Zano’s Kitchen - This must be a joke. A co-worker took me to Pie Zano’s several months ago and I was so unimpressed I decided to be merciful and not review them - after all, they were destined to be out of business within 2 months anyway, so there wasn’t any reason to bother. Now that decision haunts me. Could I have saved just one person from eating here? Still, if enough people voted for it to get into the top 10, I will make a second visit in the near future for a full review. Perhaps my first visit was just a very, very bad day. [Update 2/23/2007 - Reviewed for Pizza Week]

#7 Sauce - Almost ate there yesterday, but postponed my visit for Pizza Week. Stay tuned real soon. [Update 2/19/2007 - Reviewed for Pizza Week]

#8 La Grande Orange - The Pizza Locust reviewed this one just a couple weeks ago. The review pizza was a bit uneven and we’ve determined to make a second review soon. Although it has been years, it reminded me a lot of Pizzeria Bianco. Although it’s not as difficult to get in, it still gets packed fast and parking is at a premium. Pizza Locust Review Jan-19-2007

#9 Pizza Picazzo - On the list for review in the near future. [Update 2/25/2007 - Reviewed for Pizza Week]

#10 Grazie Pizzeria and Wine Bar - On the list for review in the near future.

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*That’s a joke. The Pizza Locust conducts all reviews anonymously and doesn’t accept special favors from the restaurants we review.

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