Warwick, RI – In a triumph that highlights the town’s growing culinary reputation, Joe’s Pizza of Warwick captured first place in the non‑traditional thin New Haven‑style pizza category at the Great American Pizza Challenge. The competition, held during Pizza Expo Columbus in Ohio on Oct. 11‑12, brought together dozens of pizza makers from across the country.
National recognition for a local favorite
Owner Joe Boisvert earned a score of 49.46, narrowly edging out the runner‑up from New York, who posted 49.13. The winning pie, the Polpette Rustica, features the shop’s signature thin crust topped with sauce, shredded mozzarella, homemade meatballs, a sprinkle of pecorino cheese and fresh basil. “It’s our New Haven style crust. We put our sauce with shredded mozzarella, our meatballs, finished with our pecorino and basil,” Boisvert explained. “It’s been a winner here since day one.”
More than just a single win
Boisvert also placed second in the Northeast division of America’s Best Pepperoni Slice competition, missing the top spot by just 0.17 points. The dual success underscores the quality and consistency of Joe’s Pizza, which opened its doors on Black Friday in November 2025 at 163 Kilvert Street.
Community pride and media attention
The achievement has drawn attention from local residents and regional media alike. The shop was recently featured on the television program Studio 10, where Boisvert discussed the restaurant’s rapid rise and its appeal to both longtime pizza lovers and newcomers to Warwick.
Looking ahead
Boisvert entered the competition hoping merely to finish among the top 50, making the first‑place result all the more surprising. “It would be cool to get top 50, so to land that there is just crazy,” he said. With the first anniversary of the shop approaching, the national title provides a strong foundation for continued growth and community engagement.
What this means for Warwick
The win puts Warwick on the map for food enthusiasts seeking authentic New Haven‑style pizza, a style traditionally associated with Connecticut. Local businesses can anticipate increased foot traffic and heightened interest in the town’s dining scene, reinforcing Warwick’s reputation as a vibrant place to live, work, and eat.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
