GAINESVILLE, Fla. — "Feeling creative?" asks the article from Taste of Home, "Embrace your inner foodie [here], where you can make custom creations with unexpected toppings like tempeh, ground beef and more."
The description is for the custom pie at Satchel's Pizza in Gainesville, the cooking publication's choice for the best pizza in all of Florida. It was part of their recently published list of the "Best Pizza in Every State."
Other nationwide champions included the "Diavola" at Antico Pizza Napoletana in Atlanta, the cheese deep dish at Giordano's in Chicago, and the "BBQ Pizza" at Big Lou's Pizza in San Antonio, just to name a few.
The widely beloved dish has been the subject of many a debate over what kind is the best and where to get the best in town. In 2023 alone, multiple other publications released "best pizza in every state" lists, and the winning choices in Florida varied between publications.
1. The Travel Channel - "50 States of Pizza" - Winner: Spris in Miami
An artisanal pizza place with a wide variety of specialty pizzas, including a Caprese, ham with mushroom and 'nduja sausage.
"In Miami Beach, Spris fires up tasty thin-crusted pizzas, with whole wheat and gluten-free offerings."
2. Reader's Digest - "The Best Pizza in Every State" - Winner: Steve's Pizza in Miami
A much more traditional "pizza joint," this "real New York style" pizzeria features all the typical thin crust offerings, as well as pasta dishes, salads and appetizers if you want to add an order of boneless wings or cheese fries.
"No frills or fancy ingredients here. At Steve’s Pizza in Miami, you’ll order at the counter, then head to a graffitied booth to await your slice of heaven. And heaven it is: Served on a paper plate, your New York–style slice of pie is just the right amount of greasy, gooey, cheesy, and saucy to satisfy any craving. All the deliciousness of New York pizza, none of the winter."
3. Food Network Magazine - "50 States, 50 Pizzas" - Winner: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami
An upscale restaurant in Miami's Design District, Michael's Genuine is best known for its market fresh food, fresh oysters and stone crab, and short ribs among other dishes. Their pizzas are just a small corner of their eclectic menu and include savory choices like "black truffle" and "pistachio pesto." Food Network chose the only intermittently available "short rib" as the best in the state.
"Unfortunately, the best pizza in Florida plays hard to get: Sometimes it’s on the menu at this renowned Design District restaurant, sometimes it’s not. Call ahead to see if chef Michael Schwartz is inclined to make it. When he is, he tops his crisp crust with super-tasty, slow-roasted rib meat, aged Gruyère, caramelized onions and arugula — and you should get it while it lasts."
4. Far & Wide - "Best Pizza in Every U.S. State" - Winner: Duetto Pizza and Gelato in Key West
A much simpler, cafe-style pizzeria and gelateria in Key West, Duetto offers some of the classic NY pizzeria staples, including stuffed pizzas, meatball subs, paninis, and garlic knots. It also offers up to 14 different flavors of homemade gelato.
"I'm a Southerner, where almost all pizza is fast food, but I was raised in New York where pizza was an art form. This is art. I had a pizza here with Gorgonzola and whole tomato slices on it that reminded me of what I had in my neighborhood pizzeria in NY 50 years ago. Just amazing flavor."
5. Love Food - "The Best Pizza Place Open Now in Your State" - Winner: Crust in Miami
Located in a 1950s art deco-style building in the Miami River neighborhood, Crust offers a trendy and scenic restaurant with modern takes on pizza and Italian cuisine.
"This swanky pizza restaurant, located in a former 1950s home on Miami River, has gained press attention for being one of the best in the US. Run by couple Klime and Anita Kovaceski, this spot serves a truffled pizza (with fresh tomato, arugula, Parmesan, lemon juice, and truffle oil) that's not to be missed. Other menu highlights include the meatball pizza, buttery garlic rolls, and the huge chicken Parm served on homemade pasta."
