First place:
Belmont Pizzeria
602 N. Belmont Ave.
888-9861
201 Towne Center West Blvd., No. 703
658-2790
belmontpizzeria.com
Second place: Bottoms Up Pizza
Third place: 8 1/2
Whether you’re in the city or the ‘burbs, you’ve got access to the best pizza in town. The original Belmont Pizzeria arrived on the scene in the Museum District in 2010, and from day one it was clear that this isn’t just any old pizza joint. A specialty pizza topped with quick-fried potatoes with garlic-herb butter has been on the menu since the beginning, and options for build-your-own pies span beyond the expected toppings. Sure, you can’t go wrong with pepperoni, sausage or mushroom, but you could also spring for eggplant, shrimp, french fries or prosciutto.
Co-owner Sal Nuara comes from a long line of Sicilian chefs, and he and the rest of the team use a time-honored recipe and process to create the dough for that perfect, chewy crust that’s neither too thick nor too thin. We’re here to talk about the pizza, but it’s worth noting that the menu also includes salads, fresh pasta, strombolis, calzones, sandwiches and appetizers like garlic knots, spinach-artichoke dip, fried mushrooms and Buffalo wings.
The West End location opened a couple years ago with the same menu and, like the original, limited seating to keep the focus on takeout and delivery.