Connecticut lawmaker’s statement about pizza upsets top pizza places: ‘There’s only one best pizza.’

Welcome to the contentious and mouth-watering debate over the title of “Pizza Capital of the United States.” Last week, Connecticut congresswoman Rep. Rosa DeLauro lobbed a delicious claim on the House floor, declaring New Haven the nation’s pizza mecca, much to the chagrin of lawmakers from other prominent pizza cities.

With pride in her voice, DeLauro hailed New Haven-style “Apizza” as a unique culinary gem that draws pizza enthusiasts from far and wide. This thin-crust Neapolitan delight is steeped in history, with roots tracing back to southern Italy.

Highlighting the rich variety of flavors offered by New Haven pizzerias such as Frank Pepe’s and Pizzeria Napoletana, DeLauro extolled Connecticut’s claim to fame as the state with the most pizzerias per capita in the country.

However, not everyone was ready to hand over the pizza crown to New Haven. Lawmakers from Chicago, New York, and Detroit pushed back with their own compelling arguments.

Representative Daniel Goldman of New York proudly defended his city’s reputation, citing Lombardi’s in Little Italy as America’s first pizzeria and positing that nothing quite compares to the original New York slice.

Meanwhile, Chicago lawmaker Quigley invited the world to taste the Windy City’s offerings at beloved joints like Pequod’s and Lou Malnati’s, maintaining that Chicago serves up the best pizza nationwide.

On the other hand, Detroit’s Representative Shri Thanedar sang praises of the Motor City’s underrated and unique Detroit-style pizza, characterized by its thick, fluffy crust baked in industrial trays.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella threw down the gauntlet, proposing a “pizza challenge” between Staten Island and New Haven, touting the island’s iconic pizzerias like Denino’s and Lee’s Tavern.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain – the love for pizza unites us all, whether we savor a slice of New Haven’s Apizza, a deep-dish delight from Chicago, a classic New York slice, or a Detroit-style pie.

So, before you crown the “best pizza in America,” perhaps a pizza pilgrimage to each of these iconic pizza cities is in order. Let your taste buds be the judge!