Pizza is a worldwide famous dish known for its taste and deliciousness, but in America, the love for pizza is on another level. You cannot think of American cuisine without including pizza. Whether it’s New York’s famous thin-crust pizza or Ohio’s valley-style pizza, you can find several varieties topped with different toppings to satisfy every taste bud in the USA. However, have you ever wondered which state tops the chart of consuming the most pizza? Based on Google trends data, let’s explore America’s love affair with pizza in this post.
Rhode Island
Despite a relatively low population, Rhode Island is a known pizza-loving state. Often called the ‘grilled pizza capital,’ per capita consumption is high in Rhode Island. Most of the local pizza joints offer traditional and unique toppings that appeal to the residents within that particular state. The strong pizza culture of this state is also supported by the various pizza festivals and events celebrated yearly.
Connecticut
You will hardly find a more popular pizza state than Connecticut. New Haven, in particular, is well known for its coal-oven thin-crust pizza, which brings many people around. Some of the city’s pizzerias have been around for many years. They are known to serve some of the best pizzas known, including the Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, which has put Connecticut’s pizza industry on the map.
Delaware
Although Delaware occupies an area of only 2,200 square kilometers, its citizens never cease to crave and consume pizza. Coastal cities have many pizza places that serve different pizzas, ranging from New York-style pizza to gourmet pizza. This is evident from the numerous pizzerias in Delaware, which indicate the community loves pizza.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire people know their pizza, or do they? New Hampshire boasts a diverse pizza scene, from traditional Margherita to pepperoni and pineapple toppings. It is evident that the state is obsessed with pizza; therefore, numerous pizza festivals and events are held annually. You can taste a wide variety of pizzas from world-renowned chefs at these festivals.
Pennsylvania
Another state with relatively high pizza consumption is Pennsylvania, especially Philadelphia. The city has 11.5 pizza shops per 100,000 people, making it one of the top places in the state with the most pizza lovers. This section explores the traditional pizza joints and new-generation pizza specialty shops in Philadelphia. For these reasons, Pennsylvania is an excellent place for significant pizza consumption.
Ohio
It is important to note that Ohio has a solid regional tradition for pizza, particularly in Cleveland and Columbus. The pizza options in the state vary, including the Ohio Valley-style pizza with a thick crust and a rectangular shape. Pizza lovers in Ohio are evidenced by the number of pizzerias and pizza chains in the region that are still expanding.
Massachusetts
Pizza is trendy in Massachusetts, with Boston as its capital. The state has it all for pizza fans – from the traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas to the thick-crust ones. Another factor that can help explain the great love for pizza in Massachusetts is that the state has a rich Italian-American ancestry.
Michigan
The style of pizza joints in Michigan, especially Detroit, is quite famous. Detroit-style pizza with a thick rectangular crust and crispy cheese on the edges has become mainstream. This specific design is attributed to Michigan’s high per-capita pizza consumption and the state’s status as one of America’s top pizza lovers.
Indiana
Further, Indiana, as a state with a diverse culinary history, is also among the leaders in pizza consumption. The state’s pizzas include traditional ones and innovatively prepared pizzas. As reflected through the pizzerias and the many types of pizza in Indiana, Indiana has a way of resonating with pizzas.
Maine
We know Maine for lobsters and other sea produce; people of this state also love their pizzas. Several pizzerias in the state adopt the conventional pizza but lay a twist to it by adding local produce, a feature that appeals to Mainers. Maine has many excellent pizza places with exciting and tasty meals for everyone.
West Virginia
To find out that West Virginia indeed loves pizza. The state’s pizza offerings range from locally owned pizzerias to franchises that benefit from the ever-high demand for pizzas. West Virginians can indulge in different styles of pizzas and various toppings, which explains the state’s pizza consumption rates. Although there are a variety of pizza toppings available in the state, corn is the most favorite and demanded pizza topping of the people.
South Carolina
Despite being in the south region, people from South Carolina are warm, always ready to offer you a helping hand, and happy to consume pizza as well. The various pizza restaurants that one can find in the state include conventional pizza and artistic gourmet pizzas. Pizza, one of the most popular meals in the United States, is well-represented in the list of South Carolina eateries.
New Jersey
New Jersey is often loved for the quality of the pizza. There is a New York-style pizza influence since Oswego is a state near New York. The competition is ever firm in New Jersey, which shows that more people take pizza today than yesterday. The state’s love for pizza is evident because you can pass 15 pizza places before seeing one urgent care facility. New Jersey ranks fourth in the nation for most pizza consumption.
Arkansas
Arkansas might not be one of the first states that one would immediately associate with pizza, but folks in the state like it. The main pizza by the state features conventional and innovative styles to suit the people’s preferences. This has not discouraged pizzerias in Arkansas, with local pizza joints quickly making their way to the mainstream.
Iowa
Iowa leads the list by giving its residents an excellent reason to love pizza. Although the state offers a variety of food, its pizzas cater to different styles, such as the thin and deep crust. It is also apparent that Iowa has many pizzerias and that people like pizza very much. The best culinary landscape and fresh, locally sourced ingredients ensure that pizza remains a favorite staple among people.