The Maryland Pizza Spot That Dave Portnoy Put on the National Map

Baltimore

Published February 1, 2026 at 3:51PM

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Whether you love him or hate him, when Dave Portnoy gives a pizza a high score, people take notice. That’s exactly what happened with Frank’s Pizza & Pasta (6620 Belair Rd Baltimore, MD), a Baltimore-area staple known for its no-nonsense slices, stacked cheesesteaks, and classic Italian comfort food.

In a region crowded with pizza shops, Frank’s managed to break through the noise, earning national attention and a loyal local following along the way. Mr. 8 That rates every restaurant using two simple categories: price and taste, each scored on a scale of 1-5. Add the two scores together, and if a restaurant reaches a total of 8 or higher, it officially “8 that.”

Frank’s Pizza & Pasta specializes pizza, pasta, italian dishes and also cheesesteaks. When Dave Portnoy visited, he gave the pizza an 8.3 and the cheesesteak a 9.0. Mr. 8 That: “The cheesesteak came on a beautiful seeded roll that held everything together and provided that crispy bread texture to pair with the steak and the cheese. The cooper sharp cheese was the prominent flavor and that ooey-gooey cheese was melted through every bite. The banana peppers played a big part in breaking up the richness of the sandwich. The pizza had a nicely cooked, crispy undercarriage, providing structure and texture to the pizza. The sauce had bright tomato flavor, and the cheese was layered on in the right amount to make this pizza a bite to remember.”

During his visit, Mr. 8 That tried the cheesesteak with fried onions and banana peppers. . He gave the flavor a 4.7 and the price a 4.1 leading to a total score of 8.8, meaning Frank’s Pizza & Pasta definitely 8 that! Frank’s Pizza & Pasta recently participated in the Great American Pizza Challenge and took 1st place as “Best NY Style Pizza” in all of America.

@mr.8.that Who said Maryland doesn’t have good pizza?! 🍕- @Franks Pizza And Pasta – Baltimore, MD #restaurantreview #foodie #food #foodtok #foodietok #tiktokfood #pizza #cheesesteak #baltimore #DMVEats #mr8that ♬ original sound – mr.8.that

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Nick Sevilla is a Montgomery County native who has been passionate about food since as long as he can remember. A full-time math teacher of 12 years, he started creating food content under the name “Mr. 8 That” in 2024, and has quickly become a recognizable name in the DMV food scene. If you have any recommendations, follow him on Instagram or TikTok and comment your spot!