Welcome to Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer.

Given that so many Pennsylvanians (particularly those in the central and eastern parts of the state) travel to the Jersey Shore and Poconos during the summer months, I wanted to highlight some of the best pizza locations in both regions. 

In this edition, I’m highlighting 10 pizzerias at the Jersey Shore you should know about. Next time around, we’ll focus on Poconos pizza.

A couple of friendly reminders:

🍕 Don’t forget to keep spreading the word about Pizzavania to all your pizza-loving friends!

🍕 You can find all past, present, and future Pizzavania content right here!

In our last edition, we asked: If you could only eat one style of pizza for the rest of your life, which style are you going with: thin and crispy, NEPA tray style, Detroit style, floppy and foldable, Chicago deep dish, or ‘Whatever’s available’?

Thin and crispy came out on top with 30% of the vote, just ahead of NEPA tray style, which had 28%. Detroit style and Chicago deep dish tied with 13%, while floppy and foldable and ‘Whatever’s available’ tied with 8% each.

Since summer is the season of so many great things from gardens and farms across the state, we’d like to know:

For me, nothing beats fresh eggplant on a pizza in the summer, with fresh tomatoes and a handful of peppery arugula on a white pie very close behind.

Chime in with your favorite summertime topping, and we’ll run the results in our next edition.

Bakeria 1010 is going on its third summer of serving up creative square and round pies (and slices) in the heart of Ocean City. (Patrick Berkery/The Keystone)

For years, it seemed like the dozens of boardwalk pizzerias along the Jersey Shore from Wildwood up to Asbury Park all served the same, big, basic, floppy, underdone slices that you could only hope to salvage with a generous sprinkle of red pepper flakes, oregano, garlic powder, or all of the above.

In recent years, however, the pizza scene at the shore has improved dramatically. No longer is it just pedestrian pies and slices engineered to keep sunburned kids full and happy. Venture away from the boardwalk a little bit, and you can find some truly exceptional pizza.

Based on research and the recommendations of shore-based friends, I sampled a number of Jersey Shore pizzerias and am highlighting my favorites in this story.

One quick thing before we get to my faves:

Many will undoubtedly read this list and tell me to go pound sand because I didn’t mention their favorite pizzeria. While your shore pizza spot of choice may indeed be great, please keep in mind that it’s pretty much impossible to know about every single pizza joint at the shore. These are the best places among those I have tried. If you’d like to recommend a pizzeria that’s not on my list, I welcome your input.

🍕 After nearly 70 years, Pica’s Restaurant is no longer serving its signature thin and crispy square pies in Upper Darby. Dine-in service ended last October, and last Sunday, May 17, was the final day for takeout. But fret not, Delco pizza lovers (like U.D. native Tina Fey): Pica’s expects to announce an opening date for its new Broomall location soon, and Pica’s in West Chester is still open.

🍕 The Olympics are coming to Pittsburgh. The Pizza Olympics, that is. This Sunday, May 24, local pizzerias like Badamo’s, Spak Bros., Spirit Pizzeria, and more will take part in the event that is described as part block party, part food festival, and part culinary competition. Yinz can learn more about the Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics here.

🍕 Ever wonder what the number one pizza chain in the US is? Find out in this story.

Here’s where you tell us about your favorite Pa. pizzerias!

“Hellertown Crossroads Hotel (formerly Matety’s).”

— Pamela R.

“Dom’s Westgate Pizza in Bethlehem is our go-to. Grew up on it. Over 40 years later, it’s still the same!”

— Sue N.

“Hands down, 7-Eleven has amazingly good pizza, either by the slice or the whole pie! We have one here in Johnstown!”

— Pammy (Ed. note: This appears to be in reference to our recent feature on the pizza offerings at Rutter’s, Sheetz, and Wawa.)

“Tacconelli’s in Port Richmond (Philadelphia) is still my favorite after all these years. Worth the drive in from the ‘burbs.”

— Jeremy F., Bala Cynwyd

**You can find plenty more reader recommendations right here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. It was edited by Paula Solis.

This slice of newsletter joy is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.