In this world, almost nothing can compare to the delectable taste of a good pizza! 

Coming from New Jersey, I like to believe that I know a thing or two about pizza. The state itself has some of the most slept on pizza ever, and we are so close to New York City, that I grew up eating what many consider to be the best pizza in the world. With my pizza credentials, I think I have devised an accurate metric to objectively compare different pizzas. This is an exaggeration, of course, but I do have strong opinions about which establishment in Harvard Square has the best pizza. There are three main establishments here on campus: Pinocchio’s Pizza, Joe’s Pizza, and Otto’s. Here is my official ranking of these three restaurants. Before taking you to the ranking, I must explain how I am assessing the restaurants. First, I will be assessing pepperoni slices since that is my favorite kind of pizza. Aside from that control, here are the criteria I use to devise my ranking: 

• Undercarriage: In my opinion, I want a crispy pizza crust that borderline breaks the sound barrier. A crust with that crispiness can uphold the entire pizza slice and have minimal flop
• Taste: For a pizza to be good, it must taste good. At all these establishments, there is no problem with the taste by any means!
• Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients and the ratio count for a lot in a pizza. Many can be too saucy, too cheesy, or have too many toppings. I want a pizza with a balance of its ingredients that comes together in a harmonious slice of heaven.
• Price: I don’t want to splash the cash on one slice or an entire pie. Realistically, we’re all looking for the most bang for our buck pizza as college students. By no means are any of these restaurants terrible places to eat. I want to stress that all of them are great establishments, with even better staff and pizza. With all the criteria listed, let us begin our tour of Harvard pizza! 

1. Joe’s Pizza 

It is no shock that a pizza place with its flagship shop in New York City would be my personal favorite. The pizza is just as tasty here as it is in the Big Apple! The pizza has delicious cheese, and they are very generous on the pepperoni (which I appreciate). The undercarriage is terrific. I can hold the pizza without folding it, and it will not flop (unlike the iconic NYC slice). Everything comes together in an amazing slice that takes me back to my childhood, eating great pizza from my local pizza shop. Where I think Joe’s could be better is its sauce. The sauce is great, but at times it feels like there is not nearly enough sauce for the amount of cheese. Additionally, a slice of pizza here is $5, so it is not the most bang for your buck on campus. But I think its flavor cannot be matched. I feel like the food reviewer in Ratatouille when I order a slice from Joe’s, and it takes me back to my hometown. 

2. Pinocchio’s Pizza 

The quintessential traditional Harvard restaurant, Pinocchio’s Pizza, is the spot many students on campus will tell tourists to visit for a “Harvard student experience.” The ambience in the restaurant is fantastic, and you get an amazing mom-and-pop feeling while you’re there. The must-try slice here is the Sicilian pizza. It is a thick-crusted, deep-dish pizza that will fill you up quickly. For that reason, it is a tasty, bang for your buck option. At only $5.08, the amount of pizza you get with one Sicilian slice is great. The quality of the pizza is also good. The cheese is the star of the show. Pinocchio’s probably has the best cheese game on campus, and I always look forward to having their pizza just for the cheese. The pepperoni is scrumptious, and you really can’t go wrong with a slice here. The reason it is not #1 for me is just down to the undercarriage and the balance of ingredients. I like my pizza to have a crispy crust, and a deep-dish pizza typically has a soft crust. I know people who prefer that type of crust, and I find it delicious as well. It just so happens that I prefer a crispier crust for my pizza. Additionally, though the pizza is remarkably delicious, I believe it is the least pizza-tasting pizza on campus. The ingredients come together and taste like pasta, which has its unique charm. I love Pinocchio’s for its traditional standing here at Harvard, and its pizza is near perfect. But I am just biased in saying an NYC slice will always win. 

3. Otto’s 

Last, but not least, is Otto’s. Though it is not my personal favorite, that does not mean the pizza is not good. Otto's Pizza has a tasty pepperoni slice that I enjoy anytime I eat it. Like Joe's, they are generous with their toppings and Otto's is similarly priced. And in my opinion, the crust carries Otto's. They might just have the best crust game at Harvard. The crunchiest crust I have had has come from Otto's. The cheese and sauce are tasty as well, but this is where my only critique comes in. Though the ingredients themselves are delicious, the balance is not quite there. The proportions are just a bit off for my taste, but I am just nitpicking. I think what is holding me back from rating it higher is the fact that I have not gone there nearly as much as Joe's or Pinocchio's. The sample size is much smaller at Otto's, so this review is ongoing as we speak!

That is my ranking and breakdown of the best pizza on campus. All these restaurants are solid options for Harvard students. Hopefully, you all will have an opportunity to judge for yourselves the best pizza on campus!