Wow, PJs pizza must really have improved since the last time I ate it - in the late 80s - when it was truly horrific stuff.

The best is The Original Maria's in Loch Raven on Taylor Avenue. There is just something about that sauce. We missed it when we moved to Harford County and then alas! They opened a location not far from our house. But they sold it last year to a new owner and it hasn't been the same since. But we stop into the Taylor Ave location whenever we can!

Careful, Elizabeth - this might be another "hot" topic. People's taste in pizza is as subjective as their taste in crab cakes. This could turn out to be a hoot!

I vote for Tutti Gusti and Matthew's, 2 very different pizzas but both delicious. Still have to try Py and Zella's

Anyone from Eastern Baltimore County will tell you - Pizza John's on Back River Neck Road. Hands down.

I remember Milano's in the Atrium shopping center on Smith Ave in Pikesville. They had the huge wheel style window in the front and the perfectly crisp crust served hot right out of the oven. Although the restaurant's been closed for over a decade, I still remember the smell of Italian cuisine blasting me when I walked in. Every time I see another pizza shop/restaurant called Milano's I stop in to see if it's the same, so far I have yet to find one.

Props to Pizza Palace on York Rd in Towson and to Maria;s in Cherryvale shopping center in Reisterstown.

Federal Hill is starved for a great pizza joint.

I drive from Federal Hill to Canton on a regular basis to get pizza from Pasticcio Kitchen in the Can Company.

Maria's is only for the late night I've-been-drinking pizza craving.

The new pizza place in Canton on the square is awesome, especially after a night out partying.

The best pizza is Iggie's. This is not traditional pizza with sauce and mozzarella. It's more gourmet pizza with the thinest crispiest crust in Baltimore. Yum.

I have to agree with SGI about Chef Paolino's, at least the Catonsville location. Really terrific American-style pizza. And I'll also throw in another vote for Matthews, which is delcious and a little different. Matthews is probably the best of the "individual size pizza" locations.

Pizza from Joe Squared on North Ave is great. We love their Flag Pizza. Very thin crust.

I just did a piece on Zella's on my blog. We liked the food, and mostly liked the atmosphere, but the service was glacially slow. They deliver to the surrounding neighbourhoods to the east.

Since the closing of Franco Zeppi's in Canton a few years back, the best NY style pizza in the area can be found at Carmine's in Hunt Valley. The family who runs it used to have a place in Brooklyn before moving down to MD. Trust me, it's worth the hike...plus it's BYOB.

Dominick's on Harford Road in Parkville - the best neighborhood "comfort food" pizza...and it's buy one get one free for carryout - can't beat it!

The BEST traditional NY style thin-crust pizza in all of Baltimore WAS the old Bella Roma on Keswick Rd. in Hampden. But it's not there anymore (it re-poened as Angelos, but it's not nearly as good). So now, the absolute best is at the Kings Contrivance Village Center in Columbia at a place called Trattoria E. It's not quite as good as Bella Roma was, but it is a very close second. BTW, The old Bella Roma is the standard on which I judge all pizza.

Squires in Dundalk should also certainly be in the top 10.

Being from NY originially, I've always felt that Baltimore has been really lacking in the pizza area. But I have managed to find that Pasta Mista in Towson has what i've found to be the closest to NY pizza yet.

Gotta second the Iggies. Love the Verdura Fresca and the Alice. And BYOB keeps the tab down. As much as I also love Joe2 (the Flag is great, as is the mushroom lover's), adding any decent drinks there drives the bill rapidly skyward.

PJ's Pub on Charles Street? Great bar, great beer, great bar food....but the pizza was always average at best.

Don't get me wrong, the large pie with a free pitcher of beer is a great deal no matter what! In fact, I definitely would put it in the Top 10 food deals in down. But the actual pizza is in no way close to being in the Top 10 for the Baltimore area.

I'm not a big fan of thick, doughy pizza, but I still love Matthew's. Thin crispy crust is where it's at. Here my top 3: 3. Fortunato Brothers north of Belvedere Square (6374 York Rd). Great NY-style pizza. 2. Pasticcio in the Can Company, Canton. Great crispy crust.The pies beat out 90% of pizza in the Baltimore region in terms of texture, taste, and appearance. 1. Joe Squared. Super thin crust that is always crispy. Best looking and tasting pizza. Joe has the best selection of odd toppings. Awesome, kitchy Baltimore atmosphere. And nothing beats the danger factor of dining on North Ave.

Brick Oven Pizza (BOP) in Fells Point has the best white pizza (4 cheese) I've found anywhere! And their chewy crust is awesome!

I alredy have my head down: Thin crust at Italian Gardens, Shops at Kelliworth, Towson. Wonderfully yeasty and chewy. Great sauce (remembering that V-8 is borderline hot & spicy). BWT: If I want crispy, I'll eat crackers.

At least once a week, I must have a Colors of Italy pizza from S'ghetti Eddie's in Roland Park. Basil oil, cheese, roma tomatoes, crispy thin crust with bubbles---delish!

Sam Sessa: When I get a pizza craving and don't want to leave the neighborhood, I go to the Dog Bar on Cross Street. It's not perfect -- the crust needs to be crispier -- but it's the best I've found around Fed Hill.

I like Joe2 a lot and go there periodically. A couple of weeks ago I drove to Essex to try the fabled Pizza John's and thought it was quite good (although my trip was an experience in itself). It was a darned good pizza, although I don't want to drive that far too often. Iggie's is credible.

But Matthew's is still my gold standard for Baltimore pizza, both for the (non)ambience and the food. The Four Seasons (yes, I do want the anchovies) is the best I've had around here.

BOP's pizza is only good if you stagger through the door after a night of "revelry" in Fell's Point...otherwise, it's over-seasoned and average at best.

Ok. Here's the deal! I've been in Maryland for 7 years and can NOT find a decent pizza joint! Having lived in New York (need I say more!?!?) for 30+ years, it drives me CRAZY to see signs that say "New York Style Pizza". I've tried and tried and have not yet found a place........................UNTIL i stumbled upon S'ghetti Eddie's on Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore. OH MY GOD! Now THAT is New York Style pizza at its finest!! All the best and freshest ingredients you would ever want on a pizza pie!! At LAST, I'm home!

"...Bella Roma is the standard on which I judge all pizza." If that's your standard for judging traditional NY style pizza then I doubt that you've ever eaten pizza in NY!!

I second Sam's votes for both the Dog Pub and Matthew's

When I was younger we loved Gil's Pizza on Belair Rd in Gardenville but have not been back there in over 10 years...is it still there and is it still good?

I feel the need to mention GT Pizza on Seminary Ave. in Lutherville. I grew up on their pizza and love it so much that I sometimes drive from Canton to pickup a pizza and bring it home. As far as pizza in the Canton area goes, my husband and I love the new pizza place in square (PY) their pizza reminds me of Bertucchi’s pizza (yes, I mentioned a national chain, shame on me), very fresh in taste and the brick oven gives the crust a great texture; doughy in some spots, crispy in others. We also really like the pizza from Nacho Mama’s Pizza and Wing Factory and you cant go wrong with the cost. We recently tried Mathew’s, Squires, and Tusti Gusti but were not impressed.

Kathleen, GT does a decent pie. I wouldn't rate it near the top, but it's miles above the Papa Hut chain stuff. Then again, I worship Matthews, so there's some evidence that pizza is indeed personal.

I do get tired of people comparing local pizza to NY or "NY style." No, you won't find a great NYish pizza here, but as Warthog has pointed out previously on Chowhound, there are Baltimore pizza joints like Joe 2, Matthews and Pizza John's doing their own thing and doing it very well.

While are significantly fewer of them than in their heyday (we still miss the Al Pacinos Egyptian in Fells and it has been years since it was open), for non-traditional, the Maser pizza at the Egyptian Pizza place (falafel and feta on the pie) tops our list. Most recently we went to the one at Belvedere Square, but I think there is still one in Mt. Vernon? Is there a reason no one else mentions it when pizza comes up?

What about Dog Pub Pizza in Federal Hill???

Great pie and salads till last call every night!! Try the famous wing dog, delicious!!

GT Pizza is great for delivery.
Italian Gardens is the best pizza in a mall.
Little Italy Pizza in Fells has the best late night pizza.
Fortunato’s is a great thin crust pizza.
Angelo’s has the biggest slice.
Dog Pub has the best buffalo chicken pizza.
Matthew has the best crab pizza (also the best thick crust pizza).
PY Pizza (the new one in Canton) has the best brick oven pizza.
Iggie’s has the best gourmet pizza.
Best overall pizza goes to my wife’s homemade thin crust pizza.

The last time we talked about pizza there was all the rage on Phat Pug Coal Fired Pizza in Perry Hall. Drove in the parking lot 3 times now and while all the lights are always on they are never open.

Anyone know what the deal is????

Having been married for many years to a New Yorker, I have tried to understand what a "New York" style pizza is. Now, I admit that I have not spent very much time researching this topic,my New York snack food of choice is a White Castle, but given that there appear to be experts here, I will step out and expose my ignorance and ask, what exactly is a New York style pizza. Be gentle with me. My skin is quite thin......lol. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, you knew that this was going to happen!

I don't understand the fascination with Michael's. Too greasy and buttery, it tastes like bad frozen pizza to me.

The Dog Pub in Federal Hill gets a vote from me. Also put me down for Joe Squared.

My current favorite is Joe Squared. I first tasted their pizza when volunteering at WYPR. They not only have really great pizza, but hey also support public radio, which is a big plus in my book.
Followed closely by S'ghetti Eddie's.

I had forgotten Gil's pizza until Sarah mentioned it. Over 30 years ago, I lived just up the street and got pizza there at least once a week. I wonder, too, if it's still there and still as good.

G&M. Oh, wait...

I learned my lesson from the crab cakes. I stayed out of it this time. :-)

Wikipedia has entries on various styles of pizza, and I've been told to avoid St. Louis's, particularly because of its too-thin crust and Provel cheese combination. And what's with people in the Midwest cutting their round pizzas into square slices?!

"New York style" should mean a large slice that you have to fold in half to eat ... thin crust, but definitely not so thin that you're eating matzo. One or maybe two slices would be a serving.

I have adjusted my pizza expectations; I just don't look for NY-style pizza outside of New York. That being said, I concur with earlier votes for Dog Pub. I also enjoy Egyptian Pizza/Al Pacino/Cafe Isis.

I also believe that the tomato sauce used on pizza in the NY area is not as sweet as the sauce used on spaghetti and other dishes, but that's an anecdotal observation.

Are people serious about PJ's? That's where we used to go to drink way too much as undergrads. Their beer was cheap and the floors sticky- the quintessential college dive bar. I did like their wings and burgers, but their pizza was awful. If we wanted pizza when we were drinking at PJ's, we'd go buy pizza from the domino's pizza guy that would set up shop in front of the dorms on charles street on at night. Ah, the good old days of college...

Maria's in Timonium on York Rd., hands down. They usually have a line out the door and for good reason..half price za on Sundays and Mondays! The sauce they use is truly unique and nothing else compares...

OK, since pizza is my prime coordinate food I feel I must weigh in here. After responding to the hype, my fellow diners and I found Joe Squared pizza HUGHLY disappointing -skimpy toppings, bland taste, undistinguished crust. Iggies is good, not fantastic. More interesting by far is Egyptian Pizza, Belvedere Square -wood burning oven pizza, particularly the Giza pizza w/ grilled lamb, feta, mozzarella, tomatoes and a killer cumin sauce -truely excellent.

Elizabeth:Congratulations! 39 comments and you have not even listed the top ten. This will put the crab cake debate to shame. I live on the east side of the county and Pizza John's is a cheese overkill. It's a restaurant version of Joe Corbi's.

If you go to Matthews you will have a choice of grated or melted cheese on top.

Always get the grated cheese topping, it makes the pizza.

Just a comment about Gil's on Belair Road...Yes, they are still there (although new owners took over a few years ago). The pizza is still the same and is definitely worth the trip, even if only for the sake of nostalgia.

Bartenders in Canton, on Boston Street. I tend to like thin crust or brick oven pizza the best, but I can't get enough of their dough! They wisely limit the menu to a few apps, salad and a few pizzas and excel at it all.

For us North Central suburbanites (Lutherville, Timonium, Cockeysville, Hunt Valley) I'd have to say Fazzini's on Crankbrook Road in Cockeysville.

Wow this is tough because I tend to judge all pizza by NY pizza, and based on that standard Baltimore is seriously lacking.

In my opinion, the better pizza in Baltimore can be found at

- Iggie's in Mt Vernon
- Joe Squared
- Matthew's
- Tutti Gusti
- Pizza John's

The Wharf Rat in Fells Point does a great pizza. This is thee spot my wife and I hit when we have that craving. If you snuggle up to the gigantic fireplace, it's even better!

Stella Notte on Route 40 in Ellicott City gets my vote. Everyone has their own pizza style they like and Stella's is it for me. Their Finito pizza with caramelized onions, garlic, and gorgonzola (fired in a wood burning oven) is my favorite.

I second the vote for Bartender's on Boston Street. Delicious!

I don't know if it is still around, but the best Pizza I have ever had in my life was a place called Stavros Pizza in Emmitsburg, MD. (Out near Mt. Saint Mary's and Ski Liberty.) Simply awesome pies!

Anyone know if that place is still around. I haven't been there since 1991 when I graduated college, but the memory still lingers.

Iggies and their Pera Saporita...

Zellas is just a stone throw away for all you federal hillians and is great gourmet, they deliver too. Its about time i can get quality pizza deliered.

Sarah and Janet, Gil's is still there, thank heaven, and still making only pizza. It was sold some time ago, with the stipulation that the new owner change nothing and use the same recipes that made Gil's reputation. It's been a few years, and Frank is still honoring that agreement and producing the same great pizzas. Drop on by.

To Dennis who said: "If that's (Bella Roma) your standard for judging traditional NY style pizza then I doubt that you've ever eaten pizza in NY!!"

Well I doubt that you ever ate at the old Bella Roma on Keswick Rd in Hampden. It's been closed for about 15 years now. Perhaps you know of another place called "Bella Roma" and are thinking that I'm basing my standard on that one instad?

And BTW, I've spend a lot of time in Philly, NY (Brooklyn), Providence, and Boston, and have eatem many a pie in each of those city's. The OLD Bella Roma on Keswick Rd. is STILL the standard on which I judge all other pie.

Enough with this NY Pizza crap. NY pizza is for wimps. There's no better pie in the world than the authentic Chicago Deep Dish. And I don't mean Uno's. Lou Malnatti's in Chicago is topps in my book and NOTHING in Baltimore even comes close to real, authentic Chicago deep dish. Also, it aint Chicago pizza WITHOUT sausage. That is a must.

Stavros in Emmitsburg is still there. I drove by there the other day and it was open.

As New Jersey area pizza snob I found the Baltimore pizza scene to be particularly lacking for a long time. Pasta Mista in Towson is OK. Not great but it'll do in a pinch. I saw somebody mentioned Pizza John's. I had high hopes for this place but while their take home fresh dough pizza that you make yourself was pretty good I found the in-house pies (and their "cheesesteak") lacking. Best pizza places I've found so far have been Matthews (great, flavorful , inventive pizzas) and Fortunatos (best NYC style pizza in these parts). Your mileage may vary.

Big Coach B---you can order Lou Malneti's online (and Portillo's Italian Beef) at www.tasteofchicago.com.

Chicago deep dish is great...if you enjoy eating your pizza with a spoon!

Thanks Mags, I actually knew that. But it's just not the same.

Thanks, Dottie! I'm going to Gil's this weekend.
I love this blog!!

Well, I don't live in the Baltimore area any longer but I'll comment anyway. I first had pizza as a 12 year old in the late 50's in a joint on Washington Street in Boston. (Now or was called the combat zone area).

Boston, to this day, has one of the most "real" Italian presences. The aromas and tastes of that pizza place have formed the basis of what I think pizza should be: Thin crust, yeasty fresh dough, a freshly made garlicky tomato sauce and great cheese. Real food!

Living in Northern Kentucky now, we are generally at the mercy of the usual chain suspects. The non chain places generally have adopted the chain style of portion control with manufactured ingredients. I think we have found one now that comes somewhat in-line with my model of what a pizza should be.

But, back to Baltimore: when we lived there for 35+ years and raised our children, we were forced to get into the Joe Corbi experience. When those ran out, (hooray) we dealt with local pizza places. The ones we liked the most were generally Greek owned and although the sauce was different from my ideal, inclusion of cinnamon I believe, it was real food.

I have been to Squires and Matthews and found them OK. When we have returned in the last couple of years to visit the kids, we enjoyed Giorgios(?) in Cockeysville but now under new ownership and Village Pizza in Reisterstown. The owner/manager is really Italian!

But just remember; keep up the search for the perfect pizza whatever you think it is.

At the original Ledo's on University Blvd. in Adelphi near College Park, NOT the now-separate franchises--if you get a 3/4 cooked one, haul it home without the aroma making you attack it, put it in the fridge or freezer where the sauce mixes itself up, then bake it--now that's a nice piece a pizza.

not one single shot out for Isabella's in Little Italy??? I love their pizza, particularly the veggie and the spicy chicken.

Stavros is still there in Emmitsburg. I pass it every workday and on some days the aroma will just make the car turn into the very small parking lot.
They still serve a real nice pie.

Pasta Mista has a great selection of pizza by the slice. My personal favorite is the Ziti/Sausage pizza. Aside from the slices the entrees are worth the trip. During the school season, the place is packed with students and soccer moms and dads.

The best NY pizza around Baltimore is a new place CHEEZY'S PIZZA in Towson Maryland- 410-33-PIZZA

Do yourself a favor and try this place its cheap and handtossed and from scratch pizza-
GO TSU!!!