Best Pizza In Tampa Bay

Chewy, doughy crust, steaming sauce, gooey cheese and an array of toppings make pizza one of the United States' favorite foods. According to pizza.com, 94 percent of Americans report eating pizza regularly, with the average American consuming 46 slices of pizza annually. If you enjoyed the recommendations in the CBS Tampa article "Best Brick Oven Pizzas in Tampa," you will be no less pleased with the selections on this list. Read on to discover some of the greatest pizza joints in the Tampa Bay area.

Eddie & Sam's NY Pizza
203 E. Twiggs St.
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 229-8500
www.eddieandsamspizza.com

What's the secret to Eddie & Sam's pizza? The crust is made with water imported from New York state, which it claims has a solution of minerals that gives the crust its unique flavor and texture. Whether or not you believe the source of the water makes a difference, there's no denying that Eddie & Sam's pizza has a delicious, authentic New York taste. The toppings include standard choices like pepperoni, mushrooms and spinach, but also sliced house-made meatballs, Italian sausage and breaded eggplant strips.

Best NY Pizza
14741 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 963-7600
www.bestnewyorkpizza.com

Best NY Pizza operates two locations: one in Carrolwood and one in Wesley Chapel. Pizza here is made with authentic recipes handed down through generations and baking each pie in a brick oven for maximum flavor. Pizza can be ordered with hand-tossed crust or square Sicilian thick crust. Sicilian takes longer to bake but is totally worth the wait, with twice the crust, twice the cheese and twice the sauce. If you fancy a specialty pizza, you can choose from options like chicken parmesan, Margherita royale or veggie fresco.

Sally O'Neal's Pizza Hotline
1319 S. Howard Ave.
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 251-0220
www.sallyonealspizza.com

If you've made the choice to go gluten-free, Sally O'Neal's has exactly what you need to indulge your pizza craving without giving in to gluten. The pizza, breadsticks and calzones are all gluten-free. You can create your own pizza by choosing your own toppings, or you can choose one of Sally's specialty pizzas, such as seafood pizza, goat cheese and prosciutto pizza or taco pizza.

Related: Best 10 Italian Restaurants In Tampa Bay

Paul's Chicago Pizza
1500 N. McMullen Booth Road
Clearwater, FL 33759
(727) 723-9777
www.paulschicagopizza.com

When most people think of Chicago pizza, they think deep dish. There is an unsung cousin to the deep-dish Chicago pizza, however and it's the thin crust or "flat" pizza, which is what is served here. A large, round, thin-crust pizza is baked and then cut into dozens of squares about 2″ by 2″. Just like any other style of pizza, flat pizzas can be topped with anything you like, including salami, ricotta cheese, chicken breast or fresh tomato. If you have never tried a flat pizza, Paul's should definitely be on your bucket list.

Tour de Pizza
212 37th Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(727) 898-5555
www.tourdepizza.com

If you have a pizza craving but want a healthier option, Tour de Pizza is the place for you. Tour de Pizza prides itself on creating fresh, healthy pizza for the health-conscious. Its specialty menu is pretty extensive and includes choices like The People's Champ, topped with fresh garlic, spinach, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, feta and oregano. Of course, you can also create your own pizza by choosing from a wide selection of toppings like artichoke hearts, pears, anchovies, prosciutto and many more.

Related: Best Bread Bowls In Tampa Bay

Amanda Mole has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil and cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove. She believes that food provides more than just vital nutrients: it is an irreplaceable part of countless cultural and social activities. As a Tampa Bay resident for the past 21 years, she is well acquainted with the incredibly diverse range of restaurants, bars, and food festivals that the area has to offer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.