New York’s passion for pizza may only be rivaled by Italy’s, so it’s no small feat when Italian judges rank an Upstate shop among the best on the planet.
Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria in Kenmore, just north of Buffalo, has landed on the Guide to the 50 Best Pizzerias in the World for the fourth straight year. This year, Jay’s broke into the top 15, earning the No. 14 spot.
The annual list, published in Italy by 50 Top Pizza, features heavyweights from pizza capitals such as Naples, Barcelona, Rome and New York City. Anonymous inspectors judge restaurants on their pies, beverage menu, service and ambiance.
Jay’s, known for skipping a phone line in favor of online-only ordering, has quickly climbed the ranks. In just a few years, the Western New York shop has gone from No. 71 in 2022 to pizza elite. Nationally, it placed No. 4 on the guide’s best pizza in the U.S. ranking, topping some renowned New York City spots.
Pizza mastermind and Jay’s owner Joe Powers is just 26 years old. Powers started working at Jay’s part time in college. In 2019, he traveled to Naples, Italy, to study Neapolitan pizza in its birthplace. When he returned, the then-owner handed him the keys to the shop. At just 22, Powers took over and has continued to build Jay’s into one of the world’s top pizzerias.
Judges praised Jay’s as a cornerstone of Buffalo’s pizza scene, highlighting its two signature styles: Neapolitan pies served whole on trays and thick, crispy Detroit-style pizzas designed for takeout. They noted the shop’s focus on quality ingredients such as imported cheeses and local vegetables, along with standout creations like the spicy ’Nduja and the Hot Cherry Pepper Detroit.
Fans of Jay’s pies are just as effusive. One Redditor wrote, “I have been to Italy and ate the pizza, Jay’s is better than what I had in Italy, and anywhere else!” On Google, a reviewer raved: “Everything about this place was top notch. The food was delicious. The pizza and salad..omg!!! …If you haven’t tried it, you don’t know what you are missing. Trust me once you have had it you will definitely be back!!!”
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