The complete list of Columbus’ best scores from Dave Portnoy’s ‘One Bite Pizza Reviews’
It’s a well-known fact that Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and One Bite Pizza Reviews, is a University of Michigan fan through and through. Despite this personal shortcoming of his, “El Presidente,” as the kids say, still has plenty of love for pizza in the Buckeye State. A recent trip to Columbus for the kickoff of the 2025 College Football season saw a flurry of high scores roll in for newcomers and mainstays alike. Inspired by these rave reviews, we’ve rounded up the five highest-rated Columbus pizzerias of all time, according to One Bite Pizza Reviews.
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Sexton‘s Pizza
Multiple Locations
Score: 8.1
Reviewed on April 10, 2023
The eatery behind the Arch City’s first-ever score in the 8s has become a local pizza powerhouse. According to co-owner Joey Sexton’s, this artisan eatery’s secret weapon is the attention paid to its house-crafted dough, which Portnoy noted was “good, crisp, light.” Joey Sexton and Portnoy shared a moment before the review began as well, when they smashed a White Claw sign in the parking lot, and the prolific pizza reviewer called Sexton his “ride or die.”
Emelio’s Pizza
574 Georgesville Rd.
Score: 8.1
Reviewed on Jan. 21, 2025
Even casual One Bite fans can tell you Portnoy isn’t a fan of Columbus-style (also referred to as Chicago-style or tavern-style) pies. But that didn’t stop a Columbus-style stalwart from breaking into the 8s. Referring to Emelio’s and its “cracker” crust as “one of the better Chicago tavern-styles [he’s] ever had,” Portnoy handed over a serious score to the local shop that’s been a West Side staple for 65 years.
Artisan Pizza Cafe
91 E. 5th Ave.
Score: 8.1
Reviewed on Sept. 8, 2025
This small Italian Village spot opened in June to minimal fanfare, but before fall had officially arrived, the eatery was already overwhelmed with a wave of new customers and lines down the block. In fact, in the days immediately following Portnoy’s review—which created a three-way tie for the highest-rated One Bite pizzeria in Columbus—the restaurant ran out of dough due to the massive demand. Each of their pies is carefully crafted (by the hand of the shop’s Italian-born owner), which means these pizzas take time. But like all good things, they’re worth the wait.
Iacano’s Pizza & Restaurant
4452 Kenny Rd.
9303 Dublin Rd. (Powell)
Score: 7.9
Reviewed on Sept. 15, 2025
In another universe not so far removed from our own, Iacono’s would have landed in a four-way tie for Columbus’ highest-rated pie. But a 7.9 is as good a consolation prize as there is. Portnoy said the long-standing Columbus pizzeria is, “Excellent, excellent pizza,” and is, “as good as you can get for a tavern [style],” before adding Iacono’s “could have been an 8.1.” Portnoy’s review also included an interesting interaction with an older Columbus couple and a shout-out to local barber Edwards Grooming for giving the Barstool founder a fresh cut.
Bobby Jo’s Pizza
5225 N. High St. (inside Donnerick’s Pub)
Score: 7.5
Reviewed on Sept. 2
Friendly, straight-shooting, and unapologetically Columbus-loving, it’s hard not to like Danny Phillips, the Hilltop native behind Bobby’s Jo’s. And it might be even harder not to like his pizza. The Columbus restaurant veteran, fresh off launching his own corn on the cob stand last fall, turned to a New Haven-inspired pizza pop-up this year. The concept took off, and Phillip was able to open a brick-and-mortar space inside Donnerick’s Pub on Aug. 9. Portnoy noted “the taste was great,” with an emphasis on the sauce in particular: “Great sauce. Great tang,” he said.
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