If you want to start a heated debate among food lovers, tell an East Coaster that the best slice of pizza in the world does not come from New York, New Jersey, or Italy, but from Los Angeles.
On the latest episode of the Pizza Story podcast, I sat down with filmmaker, podcaster, and unapologetic pizza enthusiast Peter Ferriero. You might know him as the host of the Slice of Life show or the voice behind the Beverly Hills 90210 Show Podcast, but right now, he is stepping into the director chair with a bold new documentary titled “The Best Pizza is in LA.”
As someone who grew up around my family pizzeria outside Pittsburgh and talks to pizza makers across the globe, from Costa Rica to the South of France, I know how deeply protective people are of regional pizza pride. But as Peter explained during our chat, something truly special is happening on the West Coast, and it is time to give Los Angeles the respect it deserves.
Nostalgia, Pop Culture, and the Evolution of Taste
For Peter, pizza has always been intertwined with pop culture and childhood rituals. Growing up in the eighties and nineties, pizza night meant gathering around the television for WrestleMania or catching the newest episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. Like so many of us, his early pizza memories range from his Grandma Anne homemade Sicilian pies and the smoky neighborhood vibe of Mr. Bruno in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, to celebratory dinners under the stained glass lamps of Pizza Hut, drinking soda out of classic red cups.
However, unlike purists who insist the pizza you ate as a kid is the only standard that matters, Peter embraces evolution. He rejects the idea that your palate should stay frozen in time. As ingredients improve, craft pizzaiolos relocate, and culinary cultures collide, our taste buds evolve right along with them.
The Los Angeles Pizza Renaissance
When Peter first moved West, friends warned him that he would have to give up great pizza. But after tasting the groundbreaking crust at Pizzeria Mozza and seeing East Coast heavyweights opening shops in California, he realized a quiet revolution was taking place.
Los Angeles is no longer just a hit or miss food town for pizza. It has become a collaborative breeding ground for world class craft pizza makers who inspire rather than compete with one another. What makes Los Angeles stand out is not a single rigid style, but the breathtaking diversity of styles executed at the highest level. You can find everything from nostalgic New York slices to Tokyo style pies, Korean barbecue toppings, and experimental omakase pizza menus featuring curry or tuna.
In the film, Peter weaves this culinary deep dive with his love for nineties nostalgia, sitting down over pies with original 90210 cast members like Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green. It is not a stuffy, technical breakdown from a certified master chef, but a joyful, accessible journey through modern pizza culture.
A Twenty Four Hour Pizza Itinerary: Where to Eat in LA
If you only have twenty four hours in Los Angeles, Peter shared exactly where you should head depending on your pizza roots and personal cravings.
For New Jersey purists, you should head straight to Secret Pizza for an authentic Jersey style pie that feels just like home. If you are a New York traditionalist, make sure to check out Danny Boy Famous Original Pizza for crisp, nostalgic New York City style slice shop perfection. Finally, for adventurous eaters and Peter’s absolute number one pick in the entire city, visit Pizzeria Sei. Widely celebrated as one of the top pizzerias in the world, their Tokyo style Neapolitan pies are an absolute must try for anyone visiting Southern California.
The Bigger Picture: Great Pizza Can Happen Anywhere
Pizza is no longer confined to four or five traditional powerhouse cities. Whether it is an inventive pizzaiolo in Hamilton, Ontario, a baker making incredible pies in Mississippi, or craft artisans in Southern California, passionate makers are proving that exceptional pizza can thrive anywhere.
Peter’s documentary, The Best Pizza is in LA, is available now to rent or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV or iTunes. Check out the full podcast episode to hear all our backstage stories, and keep an open mind and an open appetite the next time you order a pie.
Follow Peter Ferriero 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.