Fact: There’s a lot of delicious pizza to be had across the country. Also a fact: There are some famous pizzerias not worth visiting that have become popular when they, well, maybe shouldn’t have.
Customers and food critics have called out the following famous pizzerias for not living up to their name because they’ve become overpriced, overcrowded, or overhyped.
But don’t worry — we’ve included a handful of lesser-known spots that are well worth checking out instead.
Skip: Lucali
Ethan A. / Yelp
Brooklyn, New York
Why It’s Not Worth It: The family-run restaurant is very popular, and you’ll almost always have to wait in a long line before being seated.
What To Know: Opened in 2006 in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood, Lucali is a small sit-down pizzeria known for its thin-crust brick-oven pizzas and calzones. The restaurant has a devoted following and seats only about 30 people, which contributes to the famously long waits.
Instead Try: Baba Louie’s
David R./Yelp
Hudson, New York
Why It’s Worth It: Unlike the region’s more famous pizza spots, this laid-back pizzeria rarely has long waits, making it easy to grab a table for a relaxed meal.
What To Know: Baba Louie’s is a cozy, wood-fired pizzeria known for its intimate dining room and casual atmosphere. The restaurant serves thin-crust pizzas topped with fresh ingredients along with salads and small Italian-inspired dishes, making it a great low-key option for a quieter pizza night in the Hudson Valley.
Skip: Pizzeria Ida
Mark J. / Yelp
Burlington, Vermont
Why It’s Not Worth It: This Instagram-famous pizzeria serves the most expensive pies you’ll find in Vermont with a basic pizza starting at nearly $50 with tax and tip.
What To Know: Pizzeria Ida is a hipster-approved joint with high-end locally sourced ingredients and naturally leavened dough, served up in a charming little cafe-style venue with seasonal outdoor seating.
Instead Try: Piesanos Burlington
krblokhin / iStock
Burlington, Vermont
Why It’s Worth It: You’ll still have lots of specialty ingredients and easy customizations for less.
What To Know: Piesanos Burlington might not be as cool-for-social-media as Pizzeria Ida—but this casual eatery offers great options for those with picky or refined palates, including gluten-free crust.
Skip: Nolo
Eileen C. / Yelp
New Haven, Connecticut
Why It’s Not Worth It: Critics and patrons agree that while trendy, this restaurant looks best on social media and is very expensive.
What To Know: Despite being a made-for-Instagram restaurant, you’ll find a lot of delicious pies and a good beer selection at Nolo (previously Da Legna).
Instead Try: One6Three
Nick H. / Yelp
New Haven, Connecticut
Why It’s Worth It: Cozy and casual, here you’ll find creative pies for fair prices.
What To Know: One6Three offers a comfortable cafe-style dining space with decadent pizza options as well as a creative appetizer menu.
Skip: Serious Pie
Robin S. / Yelp
Seattle, Washington
Why It’s Not Worth It: The pizza is tasty but you’re looking at spending nearly $30 for a small personal pizza.
What To Know: Despite its high price point, this local chain is very well-loved for its decadent pies and great beer and cider selection.
Instead Try: ROCCO’S
Valerie Y. / Yelp
Seattle, Washington
Why It’s Worth It: The price point is great if you’re sharing a pie with a few friends.
What To Know: ROCCO’S offers delicious and unique topping combinations on its massive 20-inch pizzas. Keep in mind that the pizzas seem pricey at first glance but can easily feed four to five friends.
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Skip: Lorenzo and Sons Pizza
Andrew W. / Yelp
Philadelphia
Why It’s Not Worth It: Local food critics agree that this overhyped restaurant could serve a much tighter slice of pizza.
What To Know: Lorenzo and Sons Pizza on South Street is very popular among locals and visitors — but according to local food critics, it’s best served after a night of heavy drinking.
Instead Try: San Lucas Pizzeria
Nick D. / Yelp
Philadelphia
Why It’s Worth It: This pizzeria is well-received for its unique Mexican-inspired spin on pie.
What To Know: Can’t decide between Italian or Mexican? At San Lucas Pizzeria, you don’t have to. Here you’ll find awesome Mexican-influenced pies with toppings like avocado and al pastor.
Skip: Pizza Rustica
Eric S. / Yelp
Miami
Why It’s Not Worth It: Food critics in Miami report that this popular local chain is possibly too creative with toppings that aren’t great on pizza.
What To Know: Pizza Rustica first opened its doors in 1996 and became a local favorite. You’ll find toppings like corn, eggplant parmesan, and even an arugula salad-inspired pizza.
Instead Try: Steve’s Pizza
Heather V. / Yelp
Miami
Why It’s Worth It: This popular pizza joint serves up Brooklyn-style pizza at great prices.
What To Know: Steve’s Pizza is a cozy graffiti-adorned spot that offers delicious pies and slices in a friendly environment that feels akin to stepping into a cool friend’s university pad.
Skip: Via 313
Victoria W. / Yelp
Austin, Texas
Why It’s Not Worth It: This popular pizza joint is well-rated, but according to Reddit, the prices are very inflated.
What To Know: This local chain serves up Detroit-style pizza and also boasts an award-winning gluten-free crust.
Instead Try: Jet’s 8 Corner Pizza
Chris M. / Yelp
Austin, Texas
Why It’s Worth It: Jet’s 8 Corner is just as tasty as the other top-rated joints in Austin, but according to Reddit, the pricing is much more fair.
What To Know: This Detroit-style spot offers a decadent pie across the board, including its vegetarian and gluten-free options as well.
Skip: Como’s
Ned I. / Yelp
Detroit
Why It’s Not Worth It: According to Reddit, this haunt is overpriced and offers mediocre sides.
What To Know: Como’s has a great Detroit-style pizza if you’re willing to splash out and potentially go over budget. It also has a great patio space for seasonal pizza nights.
Instead Try: Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant
William L. / Yelp
Detroit
Why It’s Worth It: Considered one of the restaurants in the city with a claim to the original Detroit-style pizza recipe, this pizza joint is well-loved for a reason.
What To Know: The pies at Cloverleaf are baked in a high-walled, rectangular pan to ensure perfectly crispy corners that Detroit-style pies are known for. It’s considered one of the most iconic pizza places in Detroit according to Eater.
Skip: Pizzeria Uno’s
Martin M. / Yelp
Chicago
Why It’s Not Worth It: Despite being one of the original spots for Chicago-style pizza, Reddit says this restaurant “chained out” and isn’t as good as it once was.
What To Know: Pizzeria Uno’s is still considered one of the most culturally significant places in Chicago for original deep dish. The pizza here is going to be good and consistent across all chain locations despite having over a hundred restaurants.
Instead Try: Labriola
Jeff D. / Yelp
Chicago
Why It’s Worth It: This non-chain restaurant serves some of the best pizza in the city, according to Reddit.
What To Know: Labriola first opened its doors back in 1993 and continues to offer a cozy family-run environment. The restaurant serves both Chicago deep dish and thin-crust pizza (and does a great pie).
Skip: Jon & Vinny’s
Czarina D. / Yelp
Los Angeles
Why It’s Not Worth It: According to Reddit, this Italian eatery wouldn’t survive if there was a bigger Italian population in Los Angeles.
What To Know: This modern Italian eatery feels distinctly sterile compared to what you’d conjure up in your mind when thinking Italian food, which seems to work for Los Angeles. It serves up pizza, a decent wine list, and a variety of Italian-inspired appetizers.
Instead Try: Secret Pizza
Dave S. / Yelp
Los Angeles
Why It’s Worth It: According to Eater, this restaurant serves up some of the best pizza in LA — and it’s budget-friendly.
What To Know: Secret Pizza started out during the pandemic when New Jersey-born Sean Lango began selling pizzas from his apartment. They sold out so quickly that he eventually opened a brick-and-mortar to cater to the greater Los Angeles foodie community.
Dining and Cooking