There is a moment in every great food conversation where someone drops a bold claim, a statement so shocking that it instantly sets off alarms for pizza purists everywhere. That exact moment hit my show when film director, podcaster, and pizza champion Peter Ferriero dropped into the studio. Peter is taking on one of the most heated debates in the food universe with his new documentary, boldly declaring that the best pizza in the world right now is actually in Los Angeles.
Now, as someone raised around pizzerias with deep East Coast roots, that is certainly an opinion. But as Peter and I chatted, it became crystal clear that his movie is about way more than just crust, sauce, and cheese ratios. It is a deeply warm, funny, and nostalgic journey through pop culture, childhood memories, and the constant evolution of flavor.
Cigarette Smoke and Nostalgia Nights
To understand how a Jersey-born filmmaker ends up fighting for the West Coast pizza scene, you have to look back at where it all started. Peter’s earliest memory is his Grandma Anne making homestyle Sicilian pizza. He can vividly recall the scent of the semolina flour filling the kitchen. Yet, interestingly enough, he does not subscribe to the classic rule that your first pizza must be your forever favorite. Food evolves, owners change, and palates grow.
His real introduction to the neighborhood slice shop was Mr. Bruno’s Pizza in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, back in the 1980s. Peter laughingly recalled how the owner, Steve, would stand right at the counter smoking a cigarette while tossing pies. It was a completely different era, and as Peter put it, maybe that little bit of cigarette smoke gave the flavor profile a little something extra.
For so many of us who grew up in the eighties and nineties, pizza was never eaten in a vacuum. It was intrinsically tied to pop culture and weekly events.
For Peter, pizza night meant tuning into WWF WrestleMania or gathering around the television for new episodes of Beverly Hills 90210. Whether it was the local neighborhood joint or a trip to Pizza Hut for the legendary sit-down dining experience, the food was the anchor for those core memories. We both found ourselves reminiscing about those retro red plastic cups, the salad bars, and the sheer joy of sharing a table with friends.
The Evolution of the West Coast Slice
So how does a kid raised on Jersey slices and 90s television end up making a documentary defending Los Angeles pizza? It started when Peter moved to LA and encountered the usual skeptics telling him he would never find a decent slice again. Instead of accepting the stereotype, he took a stand, declaring that LA was secretly hiding the best pizza around.
What began as a playful debate turned into a full-blown culinary exploration. Peter immersed himself in the local scene, trying everything from classic spots to wild new variations. He tasted Tokyo-style pizza, Korean barbecue toppings, and unique creations from places like Pizzeria Sei, which has earned serious international acclaim.
As Peter explained, the West Coast scene has exploded because craft pizza makers from all over the country have gathered in LA. Rather than strictly competing, they are inspiring each other to push boundaries. It is an environment where culinary creativity flourishes without the rigid constraints of traditional pizza rules.
Pulling It All Together
What makes Peter’s approach so refreshing is his refusal to be a pretentious food critic. He is not claiming to be a master chef or an elitist food historian. He is a storyteller who loves pop culture, nostalgia, and a damn good meal. In his film, he even brings along familiar faces from Beverly Hills 90210 and the Food Network to share a slice and weigh in on the experience.
Whether you are a die-hard East Coast traditionalist or an adventurous eater willing to try corn or tuna on a pie, Peter’s story is a great reminder that good pizza can pop up anywhere. Flavor is always evolving, and sometimes the best thing you can do is open your mind and take a bite of something new.
Follow to keep up with Peter on Instagram @peterferriero
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Get our books: A Story About Pizza, Pietro’s Pizza, Pietro’s Pizza Toppings, Pietro’s Italian Christmas.