Best and Worst Pizza Restaurants in America
America’s love for pizza runs deep, but not all slices are great. Some pizza chains dish out disappointment by the slice. This ranking separates the truly crave-worthy from the consistently criticized, putting 10 standout chains head-to-head with 10 that simply don’t make the cut.
Worst #10: Uno Pizzeria and Grill
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Uno claims deep-dish history, but eating there rarely contradicts the legend. The crust is dense, the tomatoes lack bite, and the whole thing feels like a frozen imitation of what deep dish should be. While the name still carries weight, the experience doesn’t.
Worst #9: Abby’s Legendary Pizza
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Ask most Americans if they’ve tried Abby’s and you’ll get a blank stare. This Oregon-based chain leans heavily on local loyalty, but the pizza doesn’t “travel” well, excuse the pun. Their price is also too high for a flavor that barely holds up against supermarket frozen pies.
Worst #8: Papa John’s
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That whole “better ingredients” pitch sounds great until you actually bite in. The truth is, if you need garlic butter to enjoy your pizza, something’s gone wrong. Papa John’s relies too much on slogans and extras. Other than that, their recipes barely register. It’s passable if you’re starving or stuck at a dorm party.
Worst #7: Godfather’s Pizza
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Godfather’s had a moment. Unfortunately, nostalgia can’t carry a brand when the slices sit under heat lamps longer than they spent in the oven. It’s not surprising that the chain has become a shadow of itself in gas station corners. Reheated pizza doesn’t take rocket science to detect, what with its staleness and generally unappetizing texture.
Worst #6: Pizza Ranch
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Obviously, you’re not going to eat here for taste. You’re going because your group of 12 can eat for cheap and leave mildly disappointed together. Buffet pizza has its place, but Pizza Ranch clings to that format like it’s still 1995. Pizzas left sitting on a buffet line can become soggy and lose their quality.
Worst #5: Papa Murphy’s
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The unique concept of Papa Murphy’s puts the final cooking stage in the customer’s hands. You make it at home, but the restaurant still gets the credit… and your money. That wouldn’t even be so bad if the end result were “pizzeria” status. You could follow their baking directions to the letter and still get a product that doesn’t justify the effort.
Worst #4: Sbarro
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If you’ve ever had Sbarro, chances are it was at a food court. But what once passed as a treat now feels like airport filler with extra grease and no charm. The crust is often soggy, the cheese congeals fast, and the flavor never quite recovers from its time sitting under a heat lamp.
Worst #3: Little Caesars
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Convenience and affordability are the cornerstones of Little Caesars’ appeal. It’s cheap, it’s hot, and it’s ready. But it’s rarely good. When your five-dollar meal triggers a five-hour stomachache, it might be time to spend a few extra bucks somewhere else. Their pizzas come out oily, doughy, and strangely sour.
Worst #2: Cicis Pizza
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At Cicis, you can eat all you want for a rock-bottom price, and maybe that’s the problem. Most of the meals hardly taste like pizza; they are just bland, stretchy pie that is most likely aggressively sweet. It appears they achieve affordability by compromising on ingredient quality.
Worst #1: Chuck E. Cheese
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There’s no sugarcoating it: Chuck E. Cheese pizza is bad. Their sauce might as well be tomato-flavored water. Nobody comes here for the food, and it shows. It’s a place for birthday tokens and animatronics. You only tolerate it because now you’re a parent wrangling kids in a noise-filled arcade.
Best #10: Donatos Pizza
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This Ohio-based chain isn’t trying to imitate anyone. Donatos serves edge-to-edge toppings on crispy, thin-crust pies cut into tidy squares. The generous layering of real cheese and bold meats doesn’t feel like filler. The pizza travels surprisingly well for delivery, and the uniform slices make it easy to share, even if you won’t want to.
Best #9: Hungry Howie’s
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While most chains stick to plain dough, Hungry Howie’s gives customers options like butter cheese or Cajun-seasoned crusts. It’s a smart way to inject personality without extra cost. Their topping selection is solid, but it’s that outer edge that keeps people coming back.
Best #8: Round Table Pizza
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Round Table builds its pies thoughtfully. Their specialty pizzas, like Montague’s All Meat Marvel and Gourmet Veggie, come with balance and layered flavor. Plus, you’ll find inventive combinations without veering into gimmick territory.
Best #7: Pizza Hut
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Pizza Hut’s golden era might be behind it, but they’ve kept enough on the menu to earn a place here. Items like their Detroit-style pizza and the original stuffed crust still hit. While not every location delivers with consistency, when it’s good, it’s far better than you remember.
Best #6: Domino’s Pizza
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Domino’s rebuilt its brand by listening to customers, and it paid off. They upgraded their ingredients, retooled the sauce, and added more options. Their app makes ordering fast and accurate, and their delivery is often quicker than rivals.
Best #5: Marco’s Pizza
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Founded by an Italian immigrant, Marco’s is traditional but not boring. The chain’s focus is on fresh, high-quality ingredients, with standout features being their crushed tomato sauce and blend of cheeses. There’s no spectacle here, just solid pizza that tastes thoughtfully made. It’s one of the few national chains where quality doesn’t feel mass-produced.
Best #4: MOD Pizza
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MOD’s strength is its build-your-own model, but it avoids the trap of becoming a salad bar on dough. The ingredients actually taste fresh, the pacing is fast, and the personal-size pies let you try wild combinations without regret.
Best #3: Blaze Pizza
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Blaze nails the fast-fired concept with a slicker execution than most. Pizzas cook in three minutes thanks to a scorching open flame. They come out with a light char and great texture. Toppings like goat cheese, arugula, and Italian meatballs feel upscale without pretension. It’s affordable and still manages to taste like someone actually cared about the end result.
Best #2: Jet’s Pizza
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Hailing from Michigan, Jet’s Pizza has garnered a loyal following, particularly for its exceptional Detroit-style pizza. They make chain pizza feel indulgent without seeming lazy. Their deep dish is unforgettable once you’ve had it. Crunchy corners, thick cheese, and a buttery foundation give every slice a satisfying heft.
Best #1: California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)
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CPK treats pizza like a chef-driven canvas. By breaking away from traditional pizza norms, it has carved a niche with its inventive toppings and gourmet-inspired pies. The balance between freshness and creativity is rare in a chain, but CPK consistently earns praise for its flavorful and creative offerings. Their distinctive crust style sets them apart in a crowded market.