Central Ohio Pizza Challenge: Who has the best pie in our area?

Bob Vitale, Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
The Best Pizza in Columbus
The Best Pizza in Columbus

Here's to our Savory 16!

The 16-pie bracket is set in our search for the best pizza in Columbus.

Last week, we invited readers via Facebook and Instagram to offer suggestions for where to find the best pizza as part of our bracket challenge. We received more than 1,000 comments nominating 118 different restaurants! The top nominations have been placed randomly into the bracket for the opening round.

Let the voting begin.

You can vote in the eight first-round matchups through noon Friday. We'll announce those winners on Monday, March 18, and kick off our second-round voting. We'll continue with weekly votes until we announce the winner on April 8.

>> Tap or click here to vote for the best pizza in Columbus <<

Which restaurants made the bracket?

A build-your-own veggie pizza comes out of the oven at Terita's Pizza, featuring green and black olives, banana and green peppers, and onions.
A build-your-own veggie pizza comes out of the oven at Terita's Pizza, featuring green and black olives, banana and green peppers, and onions.

Terita’s Pizza

3905 Cleveland Ave., North Linden, www.teritas.com

One of Black Dog Pizzeria's signature pies, the Black Dog, cut Columbus-style with extra sauce, extra cheese and extra Old World pepperoni
One of Black Dog Pizzeria's signature pies, the Black Dog, cut Columbus-style with extra sauce, extra cheese and extra Old World pepperoni

Black Dog Pizzeria

5923 Karric Square, Dublin; blackdogpizzeria.com/

JT’s Pizza & Pub

2390 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Northwest Side; jtspizzacolumbus.com/

This loaded pizza from The Pizza House boasts a house-made, never-frozen crust.
This loaded pizza from The Pizza House boasts a house-made, never-frozen crust.

The Pizza House

747 E. Lincoln Ave., North Side; pizzahousecolumbus.com/

Slammers' pickle pizza
Slammers' pickle pizza

Slammers

202 E. Long St., Downtown; https://slammersbar.com/

A Pizza My Heart from Cardinal Pizza
A Pizza My Heart from Cardinal Pizza

Cardinal Pizza

10 E. Main St., Westerville; cardinalpizzashop.com/

A pie including pepperoni and jalapenos from Tommy's Pizza in Upper Arlington.
A pie including pepperoni and jalapenos from Tommy's Pizza in Upper Arlington.

Tommy’s Pizza

1350 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington; tommyspizza.com/index.php/upper-arlington/

Hot Mama pizza with cajun links and Supreme Dog pizza (right) at Hounddog's 3 Degree Pizza in Columbus June 7, 2018.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
Hot Mama pizza with cajun links and Supreme Dog pizza (right) at Hounddog's 3 Degree Pizza in Columbus June 7, 2018.[Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]

Hounddog’s Pizza

2657 N. High St., Old North Columbus; www.hounddogspizza.com/menu/

A pepperoni pizza from Rotolo's Italian Pizzeria
A pepperoni pizza from Rotolo's Italian Pizzeria

Rotolo’s Italian Pizzeria

1749 W. 5th Ave., Fifth by Northwest area; www.rotolospizza.com/

The Classic Supreme pizza with provolone cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, onion and green pepper from Classic Pizza.
The Classic Supreme pizza with provolone cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, onion and green pepper from Classic Pizza.

Classic Pizza

906 Sunbury Road, Westerville; classicpizza.biz/

A half-pepperoni, half-sausage pie at Rubino's Pizza [Rob Hardin/Alive]
A half-pepperoni, half-sausage pie at Rubino's Pizza [Rob Hardin/Alive]

Rubino’s Pizza

2643 E. Main St., Bexley; www.rubinosofbexley.com/

The Carnivore square pizza and the Out Together salad from Paulie Gee's Short North photographed on Thursday, August 6, 2020. (Rob Hardin / Alive)
The Carnivore square pizza and the Out Together salad from Paulie Gee's Short North photographed on Thursday, August 6, 2020. (Rob Hardin / Alive)

Paulie Gee’s

1195 N. High St., Short North; pauliegee.com/restaurant/paulie-gees-short-north/

The Meatball pizza with a garlic base, house meatballs, basil pesto, garlic oil and mozzarella, provolone, whipped ricotta and Romano cheeses from Bazemore Pizza Co.
The Meatball pizza with a garlic base, house meatballs, basil pesto, garlic oil and mozzarella, provolone, whipped ricotta and Romano cheeses from Bazemore Pizza Co.

Bazemore Pizza Co.

1991 Riverside Drive, Upper Arlington; bazemorepizzaco.com/

A pizza with pepperoni, sausage and banana peppers at Adriatico's Pizza [JODI MILLER]
A pizza with pepperoni, sausage and banana peppers at Adriatico's Pizza [JODI MILLER]

Adriatico’s

1618 Neil Ave., University District; adriaticososu.com/

A pepperoni and cheese pizza from The Original Josie's Pizza
A pepperoni and cheese pizza from The Original Josie's Pizza

The Original Josie’s Pizza

894 W. Broad St., Franklinton; www.facebook.com/TheOriginalJosiesPizza/

A pepperoni pizza at Stadz Pizzeria
A pepperoni pizza at Stadz Pizzeria

Stadz Pizzeria

6755 Taylor Road, Blacklick; stadzpizzeria.com/

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who has the best pizza in central Ohio? Check out our brackets