If you’re looking for a great slice of pizza in a Big Ten city, here are some well-reviewed spots worth checking out.
We rounded up recommended spots near each Big Ten school based on Yelp ratings and review volume. These aren’t definitive rankings of the best pizza in each city. Instead, they highlight well-reviewed spots that Yelp users consistently recommend.
Because ratings and review counts can change as new reviews come in, the numbers listed are snapshots and may fluctuate over time.
We included a variety of pizza styles, from classic New York-style slices and longtime local institutions to Neapolitan pies, wood-fired pizzas and more unconventional takes.
The picks also reflect the character of each college town. In some bigger cities, that means a beloved neighborhood pizzeria with a deep local following; in others, it means a highly rated spot that has become a destination for students and visitors alike.
Whether you’re visiting campus, looking for a game-day meal or simply exploring the local pizza scene, think of these as Yelp-based recommendations rather than a definitive ranking.
After all, pizza is personal.
Illinois
- City: Champaign
- Top spots: Pizzeria Antica (4.0 stars, 200+ reviews); Manolo’s Pizza & Empanadas (4.1 stars, 160+ reviews); Papa Del’s Pizza (3.1 stars, 680+ reviews)
Indiana
- City: Bloomington
- Top spots: Aver’s Pizza (4.0+ stars, 500+ reviews); Mother Bear’s Pizza (4.0+ stars, 1,000+ reviews); Rockit’s Famous Pizza (4.0 stars, 70+ reviews)
Iowa
- City: Iowa City
- Top spots: Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired Pizza (4.4 stars, 150+ reviews); Basta Pizzeria (4.3 stars, 400+ reviews); Wig & Pen Pizza Pub (4.0 stars, 300+ reviews)
Maryland
- City: College Park
- Top spots: Blaze Pizza (3.9 stars, 280+ reviews); Ledo Pizza (3.8 stars, 110+ reviews); Potomac Pizza (3.7 stars, 75+ reviews)
Michigan
- City: Ann Arbor
- Top spots: Mani Osteria & Bar (4.2 stars, 1,000+ reviews); Joe’s Pizza (4.3 stars, 200+ reviews); Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza (4.3 stars, 100+ reviews)
Michigan State
- City: East Lansing
- Top spots: Georgio’s Pizza (4.0 stars, 300+ reviews); Bell’s Greek Pizza (3.9 stars, 300+ reviews); Peppino’s Pizza (4.0 stars, 20+ reviews)
Minnesota
- City: Minneapolis
- Top spots: Pizza Lucé Seward (3.9 stars, 300+ reviews); Frank & Andrea (3.9 stars, 200+ reviews); Boludo Como (4.3 stars, 50+ reviews)
Nebraska
- City: Lincoln
- Top spots: Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill (4.0 stars, 1,000+ reviews); Yia Yia’s (4.1 stars, 400+ reviews); Isles Pub & Pizza (4.0 stars, 100+ reviews)
Northwestern
- City: Evanston, Illinois
- Top spots: Union Pizzeria (4.3 stars, 500+ reviews); Union Squared (4.5 stars, 150+ reviews); DeSalvo’s Pizza (4.5 stars, 100+ reviews)
Ohio State
- City: Columbus
- Top spots: Fibonacci’s Pizzeria (4.5 stars, 200+ reviews); Paulie Gee’s (4.3 stars, 500+ reviews); Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza (4.0 stars, 400+ reviews)
Oregon
- City: Eugene
- Top spots: Osteria DOP (4.6 stars, 170+ reviews); Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House (4.4 stars, 280+ reviews); Za Cart Pizza (4.8 stars, 50+ reviews)
Penn State
- City: State College
- Top spots: Faccia Luna Pizzeria (4.0 stars, 400+ reviews); Brothers Pizza & Pasta (4.1 stars, 50+ reviews); The Cove New York Style Pizzeria (3.6 stars, 70+ reviews)
Purdue
- City: West Lafayette, Indiana
- Top spots: Pizza Uncommon (4.6 stars, 80+ reviews); Bruno’s (3.9 stars, 100+ reviews); Greek’s Pizzeria (3.7 stars, 40+ reviews)
Rutgers
- City: New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Top spots: P.J.’s Grill & Pizza (4.2 stars, 140+ reviews); Krispy Pizza (3.9 stars, 100+ reviews); Victoria’s Tratta Italiano (4.2 stars, 100+ reviews)
UCLA
- City: Los Angeles
- Top spots: Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza (4.7 stars, 500+ reviews); Lamonica’s NY Pizza (4.0 stars, 1,300+ reviews); Pizzeria Sei (4.6 stars, 800+ reviews)
USC
- City: Los Angeles
- Top spots: Rosso Oro’s Pizzeria (4.0 stars, 200+ reviews); Terra Mia Pizzeria – USC (4.7 stars, 40+ reviews); Pasta Roma (3.5 stars, 700+ reviews)
Washington
- City: Seattle
- Top spots: Pizzeria Pulcinella (4.4 stars, 700+ reviews); Pizzaiolo Wood Fired Pizza (4.6 stars, 300+ reviews); Dantini Pizza (4.6 stars, 100+ reviews)
Wisconsin
- City: Madison
- Top spots: Grampa’s Pizzeria (4.3 stars, 340+ reviews); Greenbush Bar (3.8 stars, 250+ reviews); Salvatore’s Tomato Pies (4.1 stars, 80+ reviews)
READ MORE: The best pizza spots near every ACC school
READ MORE: The best pizza spots near every Big 12 school
READ MORE: The best pizza spots near every SEC school
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.