Pizza has historically been an area of poverty on the NOLA dining scene. Chains have long dominated the scene, and only in the last five or so years have we made inroads. The only West Bank and North Shore pizza I have eaten was Mo's.

1) Cafe Nino, Carrollton: The restaurant is a dump, but the pizza maker is a pizza artist who has been at his craft for five decades.

2) Brooklyn Pizzeria, Metairie: Another dump on the inside, but not as dumpy as Nino's. Everything it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in the pizza. Even in NYC, this place would be a favorite of locals.

3) Mark Twain, Old Metairie: Flashback to the Happy Days and probably the best example of what traditional NOLA styled pizza is.

4) Pizza Delicious, Bywater: I've had it only twice at this take out only joint, but both times the pie was alive.

5) Sbarro's, Canal Place/Lakeside: It receives hate and disrespect from the cultured lovers of pizza, but it didn't become a powerhouse serving bad pizza. A fresh slice of pepperoni from Sbarro's is as good as any slice in NOLA.

6) R & O's, Bucktown: The crust is slightly thicker than a NY style, but maintains a nice dusting on the bottom and perhaps the best red sauce in town.

7) Wit's Inn, Mid-City: The pinnacle of pub fare, pizza should be served instead of burgers. Like MT's, this is another example of good traditional NOLA styled pie.

8) Crescent Pie & Sausage Company, Mid-City: On taste alone, this would be my #3 pizza. But the fact that their pies are so unfilling and expensive drops it way down. The pizzas shouldn't cost a buck over eight.

9) Tower Pizza, Metairie: It feels like the oldest pizza shop in the area. The pizza is good, but I get a headache eating here and the service can be rude when they are crowded.

10) Mona Lisa, French Quarter: Only had it once, but it was very good. The toppings made it.

Bonus 5!!!!!

11) Rocky's: This place doesn't get too much love. I think because it's hidden by a nearby and awful Reginelli's, but they make a delicious pizza. I like to think of it as Prime Papa John's thin crust pizza, the best of all the chains. Toppings are plentiful. Only complaint is their prices are high.

12) Theo's, Uptown: I've heard some say it's the best in the city. It's not, but it is good. The toppings are fantastic, but I don't like the crust.

13) Pizza Amore, Metairie: The thin crust isn't worth getting, but it has, without a doubt, the best deep dish in town.

14) Mo's, Westwego: It ends up on many top five lists, IMO, undeservedly. Because it's large and the only decent place to eat in Westwego doesn't mean it's great. It's good, but the dough is confused. It can't decide if it wants to be NY or a doughy breadstick. Great atmosphere.

15) Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, Riverbend: thin, wood fired crust is delicious.

5 Most Overrated Pizzas in NOLA

1) Slice - bland.

2) Domenica's - not enough sauce or cheese. Like eating bread

3) Reginelli's - barf. Like they emptied pasta sauce for pizza sauce. Way too chunky and too bready.

4) Italian Pie - how has this chain expanded in NOLA?

5) Midway - I feel bad for the guy because he seems nice but deep dish or half deep dish just isnt good.

This post was edited on 3/1/12 at 2:45 pm