A popular category; the competitors change yearly but one continues to distinguish itself time after time, becoming the powerhouse pizza baron to beat on Main Street. Il Panificio brings home the title of Best Of yet again amidst cries for more pepperoni and, strangely, eggplant. Valentino’s rockets straight to runner-up with a wicked cheese pie while Solorzanos Bros. holds steady at second runner-up for the second year in a row, and Demetrio’s nabs a slice of the vote with a third runner-up finish. 

Holly Johnson (on Il Panificio): Il Panificio offers classic, made-with-Italian-love style pizza and a great no-nonsense Greek salad. Great airy vibe, smells and gluten-free options though true-blue pizza lovers should always go for the slice of real crust pie. Nancy Martin (on Il Panificio): Best NY-style pizza! Great crust! Mark Sultana (on Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria): I prefer Valentino’s pizza over all others because of the quality and freshness of the ingredients. To me, it is the closest to New York-style pizza that I can find in Sarasota. Kelly Hazledine (on Solorzano Bros.): Solorzano’s on Webber Street is always top-notch fresh and delicious. I crave their eggplant pizza—crispy strips of fried eggplant on top of a classic thinner crust pie. Small, family-owned businesses are what keep Sarasota young and they work hard at making the locals satisfied and wanting to come back for more. Solorzano’s has it down perfect every time. I am a lifer at this one. Jesse Cocozza (on Solorzano Bros.): There’s pizza, and then there’s Solorzano Bros. The Hoboken Heart Attack is what cheat day dreams are made of.