New Hampshire Named Top Pizza State, New Jersey Residents Outraged

A recent study has crowned New Hampshire as the number one pizza destination in the United States, prompting disbelief and indignation from New Jersey pizza enthusiasts. The research, conducted by Maine Lobster Now, analyzed factors including the number of pizzerias per 100,000 residents, related online search trends, and average pizza prices to determine their rankings, according to New Jersey 101.5.

New Hampshire’s surprising victory stems from its impressive density of pizzerias—72.73 per 100,000 residents across 1,022 total establishments—combined with 22,512 pizza-related searches per 100,000 residents and a relatively affordable average pizza price of $15.74. The unexpected ranking has sparked debate about methodology, with many Garden State residents questioning how a state with such a rich pizza tradition could be overlooked.

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Methodology Raises Questions

The study’s approach has drawn scrutiny from pizza experts and New Jersey residents alike. While the research considered quantitative metrics like pizzeria density and search volume, critics note that it didn’t account for qualitative factors such as pizza style, ingredient quality, or traditional preparation methods—areas where New Jersey and neighboring New York typically excel.

“This ranking system is like judging the best basketball teams by counting how many courts are in each state,” explained Tony Santillo, third-generation owner of Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth. “Quantity doesn’t equal quality when it comes to pizza. New Jersey’s traditions date back generations and involve techniques and recipes brought directly from Italy,” Santillo told Jersey Bites in their feature examining the controversial ranking.

The methodology ranked Ohio and Delaware in second and third place respectively, further confounding pizza traditionalists. New Jersey and New York—regions globally recognized for their pizza cultures—were notably absent from the top positions, raising questions about whether the metrics accurately capture what most consumers consider when evaluating pizza quality.

New Jersey’s Pizza Legacy

The Garden State’s reaction to the ranking has been swift and passionate, with many highlighting New Jersey’s deep-rooted pizza culture. The state’s proximity to early Italian immigration, particularly from Naples and Sicily, established authentic pizza traditions that continue to thrive today.

“New Jersey’s pizza scene represents one of America’s oldest and most authentic expressions of this culinary art form,” noted food historian Dr. Maria Consiglio of Montclair State University. “From the coal-fired traditions of tomato pies in Trenton to the thin-crust Neapolitan styles of Hoboken and Jersey City, the state offers regional variations that reflect generations of pizza-making expertise,” Consiglio explained to The New York Times in their food section’s exploration of boardwalk pizza traditions.

Critics of the study point to New Jersey’s influence on national pizza culture, including the attention from prominent food critics and celebrities. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has conducted numerous reviews of New Jersey pizzerias through his “One Bite” series, frequently giving establishments in the state high scores that validate their quality in the eyes of many pizza enthusiasts.

Community Response and Pizza Pride

The ranking has inadvertently rallied New Jersey’s pizza community, with businesses, customers, and food writers uniting to defend the state’s pizza reputation. Social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support for local establishments, with residents sharing photos and reviews of their favorite pizzerias.

“These rankings come out every few years, and they always use some bizarre methodology that ignores what actually matters in pizza,” said Kylie Moore, the New Jersey 101.5 personality who reported on the study. “But the silver lining is that it reminds us not to take our incredible pizza scene for granted.”

Local pizzerias have embraced the controversy, with some creating special “Garden State Pride” pizza promotions in response to the ranking. Others have used social media to playfully challenge New Hampshire establishments to pizza-making competitions to settle the debate through direct comparison.

Beyond The Rankings

Despite the controversy, some pizza experts see value in broadening the conversation about regional pizza styles beyond the traditional powerhouses of New Jersey, New York, and Chicago. The diversity of American pizza continues to expand, with distinct regional variations developing their own followings.

“Every region has its own approach to pizza, and there’s room to appreciate different styles without diminishing established traditions,” explained food writer and pizza critic Justin Bolois. “That said, when most Americans think of exceptional pizza, they’re still thinking of the styles pioneered and perfected in places like New Jersey.”

For New Jersey residents, the debate serves as a reminder of the state’s rich culinary heritage and its significant contribution to American food culture. While rankings may come and go based on varying methodologies, the state’s pizza tradition continues to thrive through hundreds of establishments serving everything from classic thin-crust pies to innovative modern interpretations.

New Jersey 101.5’s coverage of the ranking concluded with a gallery showcasing some of the state’s most beloved pizzerias, offering a visual reminder of why, regardless of any study’s findings, New Jersey residents remain fiercely proud of their pizza legacy.

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