However, on one fateful Saturday, ten pizza lovers assembled to do a side-by-side taste test of 24 pizzas from inside the Loop to crown the best New York-style and best Neapolitan pizzas in Houston. There were many surprises for the judging panel after the scores were aggregated, so take these results as more of a baseline than a be-all, end-all of Houston pizza judgment.
Consider: Are you a lover of crunchy crust? A doughy-based, sauce-laden aficionado? A spare-sauced, heavy-cheese fan? Read on for guidelines to help you find your ideal pizza nirvana amid the lively Houston pizza scene.
First place: Pizaro’s (6.6/10)
With the highest overall ratings, Pizaro’s exemplifies the ideal Neapolitan pizza. The crust is beautifully bubbled and charred with a chewy, moist, sour interior. The balance between generous, gooey mozzarella dollops, torn fresh basil and fresh, slightly chunky sauce was harmonious enough to please even the pickiest of judges.