Amidst all of the hullabaloo over 50 Top Pizza’s announcement of the best U.S. pizzerias in late May, another best-of list received less publicity. But for the 15 shops that earned honors, it was arguably just as important in terms of marketing, national prestige and bragging rights: the best pizza slice in America.

The slice, it can be argued, is what makes New York City the pizza capital of the U.S. NYC boasts as many as 4,500 slice shops—the pizza slice is deeply embedded in the Big Apple’s culture. But 50 Top Pizza’s recognition of the classic American slice tells us something else: It’s more than just a cheap, fast convenience food, even if it can be found at your local 7/Eleven store. Executed with love, care and professionalism, it’s a craft and an art unto itself.

And, according to the experts at 50 Top Pizza, the best slice shop anywhere in the country is L’Industrie Pizzeria, which has only been around since early 2017 (two more locations have since opened).

Founded by Tuscany native Massimo Laveglia and Nick Baglivo, L’Industrie quickly blossomed into a Brooklyn institution. Its popularity is also its biggest drawback; wait times can sometimes run as long as 30-40 minutes. “As much as people think that we love it, we hate lines,” Laveglia told Eater last year. “We’re trying to be as fast as we can. The problem is the capacity we have in the oven: We can only make eight pies at a time.”

50 Top Pizza called L’Industrie “one of the most interesting addresses in New York for American-style pizza with Italian sensitivity….The Spicy Salami is large, crispy, well-cooked, with quality ingredients and a full, consistent taste in line with the New York style. Not to be missed is the Fig Jam & Bacon Pie.”

Meanwhile, pizza legend Giulio Adriani, who grew up in Rome but learned pizza making from his Neapolitan grandmother, captured second place on the 50 Top Pizza list with his Brooklyn-style joint, Slice & Pie, in Washington, D.C. The master pizzaiolo had a string of successful restaurants over the years—including Olio Pizza e Più, famed for its deep-fried Montanara pizzas—before opening Slice & Pie in 2022. Here, the pies feature “a very thin, foldable crust and a crispy bottom,” 50 Top Pizza states. “The dough is well-executed, providing an easy chew….Indulgent and sweet, the Burrata pie stands out, while the Pepperoni has a bold character.”

At No. 3 you’ll find Miami Slice, located in, of course, Miami, an old-school counter-service shop that doesn’t accept reservations, has very limited seating but a fast turnaround. “The menu is short and focused, with recognizable offerings such as the Margherita de la Casa, Pepperoni Proper, La Salsera, Leeks on Bacon and Mushroom Truffle,” 50 Top Pizza notes. The guide added that Miami Slice is “an essential address to understand the evolution of the slice in the United States.”

The Top 5 list also includes No. 4 Mama’s Too!, another famous New York slice shop—this one owned by Franco Tuttolomondo and renowned for its affordability—and Rob Cervoni’s Taglio Pizza, known for its Roman-style slices, in Mineloa, New York, at No. 5.

Finally, it should be noted that the descriptors for this best-slice list are no longer “big, hot, greasy and cheap.” 50 Top Pizza honors shops known for their fermentation process, top-of-the-line ingredients, artisanal options like burrata, fig jam and bacon, and thoughtful service. 

Here’s a look at the complete list of 50 Top Pizza’s 15 best slice operations in the U.S.:

No. 1: L’Industrie Pizzeria, Brooklyn, NY
No. 2: Slice & Pie, Washington, D.C.
No. 3: Miami Slice, Miami, FL
No. 4: Mama’s Too!, New York
No. 5: Taglio, Mineola, NY
No. 6: Brooklyn D.O.P., New York, NY
No. 7: St. Pizza, New Orleans, LA
No. 8: Filaga, New York, NY
No. 9: Mama’s Boy, Oakland, CA
No. 10: Palazzo Di Pizza, Royal Oak, MI
No. 11: Mano’s Pizzeria, New York, NY
No. 12: Tivoli, Seattle, WA
No. 13: Jimmy’s Pizza Café, Chicago, IL
No. 14: Cello’s Pizza, New York, NY
No. 15: Roberta’s R Slice, New York, NY

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