Best pizza in Naples, Collier: Vote now in the final round. Poll closes at 2 p.m. Thursday
In the battle for Collier County’s best pizza challenge title, our final two make it an East Naples conference showdown at the final dance.
When all was said and done, 16 pizzerias spanning North Naples to Marco Island earned a spot from reader nominations.
By last week's numbers, 1,736 total votes were cast in the Luigi’s vs. La Trattoria bracket. Luigi’s earned 906 votes to its competitor’s 830 squeaking by 5%.
Twisted Sheep’s thrilling Cinderella streak continues: The pizzeria beat Zza Baby at Mercato by 382 votes among 2,316 total votes from readers. Twisted’s 17% margin in the Final Four was more decisive.
Altogether, our Final Four amassed 4,052 reader votes.
This week's challenge pits old-school vs. artisanal styles. Both delicious yet completely different.
Our suggestion: Grab a friend or two, eat a pizza at each then cast your vote. Their proximity to each other is five minutes by car.
Plan ahead: Decadent Easter brunches in Naples, Bonita, Marco & north – JLB
ICYMI: Restaurants & food: Two retirements, Snook Inn news, Easter chocolates, sandwich benefit
Our critics pizza picks: JLB's 12 favorite pies & slices for celebrating
Collier County's Best Pizza Challenge voting dates
THE FINALS: March 27-30; Winner announced March 30.
Using the app? Click here to cast your vote.
Luigi's vs. Twisted Sheep
Luigi's, helmed by Carlo and Kelly Iantosca, has been a town favorite for 48 years in the same location. The Iantosca's pizza dynasty also extends to his side of the family: brothers Bruno of Bruno's; Hugo with Grandpa's which made it to Lee County's pizza challenge Elite Eight round; and Mama Mia's Erminio.
On Sundays off, you might find Carlo and Kelly at the Immokalee farmers markets picking vegetables for pizza toppings and other specialties. About $1,000 weekly is spent on fresh mozzarella. The sauce, made from scratch since day one. The flour for pizza and stromboli? Top secret. The best-seller? Mushroom pepperoni. (2331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-775-6669; luigisofnaples.net)
Twisted Sheep's co-owners Calvin Joiner and Michael Voorhis opened their "fancy pizza" (as listed on the takeout menu) joint on June 1, 2020. They were ready to open earlier that year but were delayed several months when the pandemic forced every single Florida restaurant to close. Premium ingredients play a starring role on their pizzas, innovative starters and creative sides. The best-seller since day one? Buffalo fried chicken with chopped Applewood bacon, scallions, ranch, mozzarella and cheddar.
Joiner previously owned Red's on Davis Boulevard for 14 years, which the biz partners subsequently converted to Twisted Cheesery for a brief run. Before Twisted, Voorhis was executive chef at The Bevy and Lake Park Diner, winning "best of" accolades from Naples glossy magazines for his work at both. They met at Celebration Park where Joyner had a food truck and Voorhis was there on behalf of Smith Organics when they decided to collaborate on something new to Naples. Success quickly followed. (3802 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-919-3287; twistedsheepfl.com)
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Best pizza in Naples round 4: Vote now through 2 p.m. March 30
