On Tuesday, 50 Top Pizza, an Italian-based media company, honored Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, A16 and Yellow Moto Pizzeria as the only Bay Area restaurants that made the U.S. ranking. In a list of 50 pizzerias across the country, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana came in at No. 4, followed by A16 at No. 33 and Yellow Moto Pizzeria at No. 49.
The 50 Top Pizza award was a first for Yellow Moto Pizzeria, which was recognized for its classic Neapolitan-style pies. Last year, owner David White rebranded the former Flour + Water Pizzeria restaurant in the Mission District to Yellow Moto Pizzeria after he cut ties with Flour + Water and its restaurant group. White told SFGATE that he credited his staff for the recent award.
“Our incredible kitchen team has been with us since we started slinging pies at [Flour + Water Pizzeria] in 2019, through all the highs and lows of a global pandemic, the people stretching topping and baking the pizzas are the same people,” White said. “This recognition is for them.”
Tony Gemignani, the owner of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, isn’t new to the annual 50 Top Pizza awards. In 2022, Gemignani’s famous North Beach restaurant took the No. 10 spot in the world best ranking, in addition to the No. 2 spot in the U.S. In addition to of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Gemignani’s Las Vegas restaurant Pizza Rock was also listed at No. 18. Gemignani separately won the best performance award for having two of his restaurants within the same category.
“I’m honored for Tony’s to once again be ranked among the top 50 pizzerias in the USA, and this year is especially exciting as my Las Vegas outpost, Pizza Rock joins the list,” Gemignani said in a statement.
A16, which was similarly awarded in the 50 Top Pizza last year, was also celebrated in a different pizza ranking by Food and Wine magazine earlier this month. Food and Wine ranked 28 pizzerias across the country and featured five Bay Area restaurants: A16, Del Popolo, Casey’s Pizza, Flour + Water and Pizzeria Delfina.