It’s that time of year when the temperatures are dropping, the leaves are falling, and political attack ads are running more frequently than those Liberty Biberty commercials.

Yes, election season is upon us, offering a reminder of just how little we agree on as a society these days. But no matter who you plan to cast your vote for on Nov. 3, I think we can all agree that pizza is pretty great.

Of course, who has the best pizza is a topic that’s ripe for debate—especially in a pizza-loving state like Pennsylvania. Though let’s table that debate for another day. Instead, in this edition of Pizzavania, we’re giving the candidates running for office here in the commonwealth equal time to sound off on an issue we don’t think is getting enough attention ahead of the midterms: their favorite pizza.

Find out where Pennsylvania’s candidates go for a slice in this story.

We open the polls in each edition of Pizzavania, not just Election Day. Last time around we asked What would make you more likely to try a pizzeria for the first time?

The recommendation of a trusted friend carries the most weight with our audience (58%), followed by the recommendation of a critic/influencer (22%), good Yelp/Google reviews (13%), and social media photos/videos (7%).

This time around, with affordability on the mind of many voters ahead of Election Day, we’d like to know:

I don’t mind spending for quality. But as I’m starting to see more pies priced in the $30-$35 dollar range, I’m wondering what my breaking point is. I know this much: $40 for a plain pizza is just silly.

Let us know where you stand on pizza affordability and we’ll run the results in the next edition. 

The nonpartisan organization Pizza to the Polls has been delivering free pizza to voters and poll workers since 2016. (Pizza to the Polls)

Long lines at polling places on Election Day are a good thing. So many people exercising their right to vote represents democracy in action.

Of course more people showing up at the polls means a longer wait to vote, not to mention more responsibilities for the poll workers logging 12- to 14-hour days. And if you’re waiting in a long line to vote on an empty stomach, you’re bound to get hangry at some point.

That’s where Pizza to the Polls comes in. With the help of donors and a nationwide network of volunteers, the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization provides free pizza and other snacks to voters waiting in long lines on Election Day. 

Since 2016, Pizza to the Polls has fed Pennsylvania voters at about 600 polling locations in approximately 200 cities and towns. 

“Voting, working an election, participating in democracy—it should not be a frustrating experience,” said Pizza to the Polls Executive Director, Nina Kadjar. “We’ve all shown up somewhere, had to stand in a really long line and it wasn’t a good feeling. Even the small act of getting a slice of pizza and sharing a meal with a stranger in line in front of you, having a conversation, makes that experience a lot more joyful.”

Find out how Pizza to the Poll works, and how you can get involved, below.

🍕 Food & Wine cited two Philly pizza powerhouses in its “27 Best Pizzas in America Right Now” list. See who made the cut here.

🍕 Pittsburgh pizza writer Dan Tallarico (I highly recommend you check out his Substack) is mounting a play about pizza called “Slice Something Slice,” next Thursday, Oct. 29. Get more info about Tallarico’s theatrical pizza endeavor right here.

🍕 DoorDash, has served up its list of 2026 Top Pizza Spots, based on the highest average overall customer rating of small or medium-sized pizzerias with at least 1,000 reviews. Find out which Pennsylvania pizzerias made the cut.

🍕 Pittsburgh’s Slice on Broadway was a big winner at the recent Great American Pizza Challenge in Columbus, Ohio, taking home honors in multiple categories including America’s Best Pepperoni Slice and America’s Best Traditional Thin Pizza. Several other Pennsylvania pizzerias took home awards as well. See the full list of winners from Pizza Today.

Ok, readers, the semolina flour-dusted floor is yours. Tell us about your favorite Pa. pizzerias:

“Affinito Pizza Parlor and Café in Emmaus. Best pizza around the Lehigh Valley. Flavorful dough, excellent sauce, and nice crisp, but never overdone. 10/10.” — Marisa L.

“Co-workers would order pizzas from Renzi’s Pizzeria in Bridesburg (Northeast Philadelphia). Each one had a more crazy topping than the last. Cheesesteak white pie, upside down, mega fry. Mega fry? Well, what do you know, I love those pies. Fun, creative, flavorful. Mega fry is a normal pie with French fries, crumbled bacon, and cheese whiz on top, and I love that crazy s**t.” — Neil Toensmeier

“I loved seeing Faccia Luna in your roundup of the best pizza in State College. I’m back there a handful of times during football season and I never pass up the opportunity to grab a pie there.” — Bernie Harris

“If you’ve never been to Jerry’s Pizza Pie in Honey Brook do yourself a favor and go! Best Sicilian I’ve ever had!” — J.R.

“Joe’s Brick Oven Pizza in Cresco. Nothing fancy. Just great, solid, old-fashioned pizza that’s neither NEPA or Philly-style.” — Donna W.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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