This is a hard one.
Like many regional favorites, pizza tastes and styles vary. And people really get wrapped up in the subject. In fact, some twit on Facebook angrily accused me of “appeasing the corporate giants” because I wrote that Grotto Pizza used to be better and more consistent than it is now. Well, it did used to be more consistent, whether you like it or not. I was driving here as early as 1962 for Grotto, so I've got to pull rank on this one. That being said, (1) there is now better pizza in town (though Grotto does have its loyal followers), and (2) I must divide this category into two subcategories:
1. Best Wood-Fired Pizza:
a. Touch of Italy in Shore Plaza on Coastal Highway. The charred crust (NOT burned!) and the delightful “pull” of the dough make this one a favorite. We like the “alla sopressata”: hot sopressata and mushrooms. The nectar of the gods.
b. Most certainly Mr. P's in Lewes. A puffy, airy crust with a great “pull” is what fills this place every night.
c. Are you sitting down? Try the wood-fired pies at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in downtown Rehoboth. Or even Revelation Craft Brewery in West Rehoboth. They're both sleepers for sure!
2. Best traditional oven-baked pizza: Here’s another toss-up, folks! I go back and forth, trying to decide (see the sacrifices I make for you, dear Reader?). So, in no particular order:
a. The thin & crispy with sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms at Pete’s Steak Shop in Rehoboth Marketplace by Food Lion,
b. Drive south a bit to Ponzetti's Pizza, just a block or so across the DE/MD line after Fenwick. It's on the ocean side. Thin and very much like the boardwalk pizza we all remember.
c. The terminally delightful Pomodoro Pizza in Bethany Beach, next door to Dickie's Frozen Custard. CALL IN ADVANCE if you're picking up. The oven is small and it takes them a while!
d. Marylanders will recognize this one immediately: Ledo's has been dishing up their one-of-a-kind rectangular pies for well over 50 years. We are lucky to still have a Ledo's in Ocean City at 127th St. and Coastal Highway in a little strip center.
e. AND the long-time locals’ favorite, Louie’s Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue by the boardwalk. Louie’s comes with an ocean, however, so let's make it all about the pizza, people, so you decide.
Agree? Disagree? Click below and tell us about it!
CASA DILEO!!
You put Pete’s on the list but not Pat’s? A dagger through my heart!
I know I know, a different kind of pizza that not everybody loves but I do! And the fact that they will bring it directly to my door makes it even better!
#patspizzarules
Oh, I LOVE Pat’s Pizza! The square one heats up perfectly the next day (if you have a pizza stone!). Have you tried their lasagne?
I hate to put it out there because they are already so busy, but the absolute best pizza around now is Pomodoro in Bethany Beach. Ths is their second season and they have been out the door running! I love Rosa and her husband Brian and their kids and staff. Better order early or get there early to get your slice or whole pie. And if you are picking up, bring a friend because there is no place to park when town is busy!
Agree! Had Pomodoros last night and it was great. Pie in Bethany has great flatbread pizza.
You need to check out Pomodoros – new to Bethany Beach-AMAZING!!!!
Mio Padre’s in Millsboro has the best pizza, calzones, strombolis, etc. in the area. Homemade sauce and excellent mozzarella – not the cheap, greasy variety that other places use. It’s owned by the son of the guy who owns La Dolce Vita. ‘Nuf said?
My wife and I bought a pepperoni and a cheese pizza from four places in Rehoboth Beach (Louie’s, Nicola, Grotto, and Casa DiLeo). Eight family members tasted a small slice of cheese and pepperoni pizza from each restaurant and gave it a score. The tasters didn’t know where the pizza they were eating came from. Louie’s came in first, Nicola was second, and Grotto was third.
Sid—
That is wonderful! I wish more people would do stuff like that. Now you have to add the new Dough Roller (just opened in downtown RB) to your next in-depth study!
(BTW, Louie’s generally comes out on top.)
Thanks for the comment.
The very best pizza in Rehoboth is at Casa DeLeo on South Rehoboth Ave. served piping hot on elevated trays in a small friendly restaurant. I personally love pizza slightly oily ( hate dry pizza) and dripping with melted cheese. Most pizza leaves me unimpressed but this was absolutely delicious.
Foodie, I think you nailed it with your choices. I could not agree more.