Winning restaurant announced for Best Pizza of Sarasota and Bradenton

Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

If you're looking to start a serious debate, just mention politics, religion, or pizza — especially when it comes to finding the top spot for a slice in Sarasota and Bradenton!

All the feedback we received from my highly subjective list of the best restaurants for pizza in Sarasota and Manatee counties, published in early February, resulted in our March Madness-style Best Pizza Challenge. It started March 4 with voting on a Sweet 16 bracket based on my list, your emails and comments, and customer Google reviews.

Last week, the championship "game" found a recently opened New York-style pizzeria in Sarasota competing against a veteran establishment with deep Chicago roots that was founded in Bradenton. Both of these places, I should note, were among my picks for best pizzerias in the area.

Best restaurants for pizza in Sarasota and Bradenton? Here are my favorites

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The Sarasota Herald-Tribune's 2024 Best Pizza Challenge started March 4.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune's 2024 Best Pizza Challenge started March 4.

Winner announced in pizza championship: Capo Pazzo vs. Joey D's

A personal-size World Famous Chicago Deep Dish pizza with pepperonis stuffed inside at Joey D’s, 6401 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, photographed Jan. 29, 2024.
A personal-size World Famous Chicago Deep Dish pizza with pepperonis stuffed inside at Joey D’s, 6401 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, photographed Jan. 29, 2024.

A cozy spot opened last year in a Sarasota strip mall, Capo Pazzo has built an ardent following (and accrued a 4.9 out of 5 star Google rating) with its New York-style pizzas featuring high-quality ingredients and a crispy crust with a slight char.

Joey D's was founded in Bradenton in 1994 and now has four locations in the area. They all serve Chicago deep dish pies, as well as the kind of tavern-style, thin-crust pizza that is also adored by Windy City residents.

During the past month, both Capo Pazzo and Joey D's promoted our dining poll on their Facebook pages. Capo Pazzo reached the championship with victories over Cafe Epicure, Il Panificio (despite a visit by Dave Portnoy), and Osteria 500. Joey D's got there with wins over Origin Pizza Cafe, Oak & Stone, and Loaded Barrel.

Last week, Joey D's garnered more votes than Capo Pazzo to be crowned our Sarasota and Bradenton Pizza Champion. Joey D's received 1,047 votes to Capo Pazzo's 766. We used Crowdsignal to conduct our polls.

Joey D’s Bradenton location is at 6401 Manatee Ave. W.
Joey D’s Bradenton location is at 6401 Manatee Ave. W.

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Winning restaurant announced for Best Pizza of Sarasota, Bradenton

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