If you want NC’s best pizza, these experts say you need to leave Charlotte for it

If you want some of the best pizza in North Carolina, you’re going to have to leave Charlotte to get it.

Tasting Table, a website and newsletter for culinary enthusiasts, has ranked all the nation’s best pizza, and not a single pizza joint in Charlotte made their list. Nor did any pizza places in the entire state of South Carolina. The list was published May 22.

In the opinion of Tasting Table, Lilly's Pizza with locations in Durham and Raleigh is the place to go.

“This establishment dominates the lists for the best pizza in North Carolina, and it's easy to see why,” says the site. “It sources 100 percent certified organic whole wheat flour from Lindley Mills in Graham, North Carolina.”

Tasting Table goes on to laud the restaurant’s special pies, including the Dante's Inferno, topped with molasses/bourbon BBQ sauce, mozzarella, barbecued chicken, bacon, red onions, roasted red peppers and Parmesan; and The Nonna, which has prosciutto, roasted cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and a balsamic reduction.

Lilly's Web site says it specializes in vegetarian, gluten free and carnivore foods.

Charlotteans who read of the survey were understandably offended, with many suggesting options in the area.

“I'll stack Aliño Pizza (Mooresville, Concord Mills, etc.) up against any pizza in the state,” said Thomas Hodge in an email.

This story was originally published May 28, 2017 at 9:08 PM with the headline "If you want NC’s best pizza, these experts say you need to leave Charlotte for it."