{"id":889,"date":"2026-05-30T05:06:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T05:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=889"},"modified":"2026-05-30T05:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T05:06:20","slug":"charlotte-pizzeria-named-top-50-in-u-s-for-third-year-in-a-row-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=889","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte pizzeria named Top 50 in U.S. for third year in a row"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The North Carolina pizza scene is quietly tremendous, and two pizzerias have been named among the best in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=888\">I tried the food at one of Charlotte\u2019s oldest restaurants. What I got for $25<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Charlotte\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatpizzababy.com\/\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">Pizza Baby<\/a> and Winston-Salem\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mpnws.com\/\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">Mission Pizza Napoletana<\/a> have been named among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.50toppizza.it\/50-top-pizza-usa-2026\/\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">the Top 50 pizza joints in the United States<\/a>. The honor comes from the Italian pizza-rating agency Top 50 Pizza, which reviews and ranks pizzerias around the world.<\/p>\n<p>This year, Mission Pizza was ranked No. 19 in the United States, making it the second year in a row it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsobserver.com\/living\/food-drink\/article310800240.html\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">included in the Top 20<\/a> and the sixth straight year it made the Top 50.<\/p>\n<p>Pizza Baby landed at No. 42, one spot down from last year\u2019s ranking of No. 41. In 2024, the Charlotte restaurant known for its specialty Americana pies came in at No. 43.<\/p>\n<p>In a new twist for the 2026 list, Top 50 Pizza added <a href=\"https:\/\/www.50toppizza.it\/50-top-pizza-usa-2026-excellent-pizzerias\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">an \u201cExcellent Pizza\u201d list<\/a>, essentially operating as an unranked honorable mention roundup. <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pizzeriatoro.com\/\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">Pizzera Toro<\/a><\/b> in Durham was included on the Excellent Pizza list, alongside some of the biggest names in American pizza.<\/p>\n<p><b>Pizza Baby\u2019s<\/b> entry on the list says: \u201cTrey Wilson and Steven De Falco, two bodies and one soul would write <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Petrarch\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">Petrarch<\/a>. But also two locations on opposite sides of the city and one single project.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe pizzeria successfully run by the two chefs has at its core: an artisanal vision that starts from the selection of raw materials to the processing of the dough: this rigor, in addition to the ability to offer a good product in an engaging and simple environment, is the foundation of the success of this close-knit and rapidly growing team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn addition to pizzas, ranging from the one with Pineapple to Sicily, the restaurant offers small appetizers, salad, some pasta dishes and obviously side dishes. Also, a lot of attention to wine, especially Italian. Customers are sure to find here an excellent New York Style that does not disappoint expectations. Also for sale is the bread, delicious. A quality reference that is nourished by the great passion of its chefs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=887\">Rural NC police officer filmed beating woman is suspended by police chief<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Co-founder Steven De Falco told CharlotteFive that he and co-founder chef Trey Wilson are honored to make the list for a third year in a row.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe both live here in Charlotte. Our families are here, and Trey and I work in the restaurants. We\u2019re here to cook and bake for Charlotte and serve the community. We just love opening our doors for the Queen City \u2014 for everyone. It brings us pure joy to do so to host everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He recommends newcomers try \u201cone pizza in the minimalist or purest fashion, probably our Queen Margherita,\u201d with Italian tomatoes, locally made Siano mozzarella, basil and pesto, and then a specialty creation.<\/p>\n<p>His pick? The 90s Supreme, with Italian tomatoes, pepperoni, sausage, onions, mushrooms and peppers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s one of our top sellers. People go crazy for it,\u201d De Falco said.<\/p>\n<p>Owned by former Wake Forest soccer player and Winston-Salem native Peyton Smith, <b>Mission Pizza<\/b> serves up piping hot pies from its wood-burning oven. The crust is dappled with char, airy and chewy and the toppings blend like a composed dish you eat with your hands.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, Smith acknowledged the artsy small city is an unconventional place to find world-class pizza.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow 12 years on, certainly Winston-Salem is the least likely place to be on a pizza list,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=885\">2 venomous spiders are active in North Carolina. Here\u2019s how to spot them<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Location: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Pizza+Baby\/@35.2330792,-80.8757331,17z\/data=%214m15%211m8%213m7%211s0x8856a1c324993d93:0x14c97d016e8606e%212s2135+Thrift+Rd,+Charlotte,+NC+28208%213b1%218m2%213d35.2330792%214d-80.8731582%2116s%2Fg%2F11b8v5hz8c%213m5%211s0x8856a1201b244447:0xedf0ba8281e342ad%218m2%213d35.2330447%214d-80.8731999%2116s%2Fg%2F11vcw4bfm8?entry=ttu\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">2135 Thrift Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28208<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Location: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/1601+Elizabeth+Ave,+Charlotte,+NC+28204\/data=%214m2%213m1%211s0x88569ff69c00fa21:0xaac011de2c9c4e07?sa=X&amp;ved=1t%3A242&amp;ictx=111\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">1601 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Menu: <a href=\"https:\/\/order.toasttab.com\/online\/pizza-baby-east\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">East location<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/order.toasttab.com\/online\/pizza-baby-2135-thrift-road\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">West location<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cuisine: Pizza<\/p>\n<p>Instagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/eatpizzababy\/?hl=en\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">@eatpizzababy<\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Portions of this story were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsobserver.com\/living\/food-drink\/article315920500.html\" rel=\"Follow\" target=\"_blank\">previously published<\/a> in The News &amp; Observer.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"summary gray\">This story was originally published <span class=\"inline-block\">May 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM<span>.<\/span><\/span><!-- --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charlotte\u2019s Pizza Baby lands in the Top 50 U.S. pizzas for the third year, celebrating community, New York\u2011style pies and a passion for serving the Queen City.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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