Community Corner
Friends and Family Settle Best Pizza Debate With Contest
The contest was held on Haven Avenue on Saturday evening.
For years Lindsay Thompson and her friends and family have battled over who makes the best pizza in Ocean City.
"It's a big argument," said Thompson. "We'll be on the beach and it's a constant debate. I'm sick of hearing it."
So, on Saturday night, they decided to settle the debate once and for all with a blind taste testing of pies from five different restaurants on the island, scoring each slice on its crust, sauce, cheese to dough ratio and overall pizza experience.
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Thompson printed out score cards, called up her friends, and hosted a pizza eating contest in a friend's backyard on Haven Avenue.
Charlie Doyle, a Philadelphian who spends summers in Ocean City, was among those who attended. He claimed before the contest that makes the best pie.
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Another friend, Lee Morris, of Westchester, PA, and who worked as a server at Mack & Manco's (before it was Manco & Manco's) for five years, said that he was sure would win.
Others called for , and others . was also included. Thompson chose which five pizzerias to order from based on which were mentioned the most often when her friends would argue.
15 judges in total showed up for the contest, and each was served one slice from each restaurant, but none were told which slice was from which. Each judge scored the slice out of a total of 20 points.
"Instantly you can taste the difference," said Felicia Ford of Galloway. "If one has more oregano, more cheese, more sauce."
After the contest, Ford and the other two judges at her table agreed that they enjoyed Roma's the most. But cumulatively, Roma's took third in the contest. It was Manco & Manco's that took home first place.
The results were as follows, out of a possible total of 300 points:
- Manco & Manco, 209.5
- Mario's, 173.5
- Roma's, 171
- Express, 163.5
- Prep's, 159.5
Thompson said after the event that maybe next year they will host another contest, but substitute different pizzerias for those that scored the lowest. When she asked if it should be an annual event, her friends, the judges, cheered.
