Deluca’s Pizza has been among the elite of pizzerias in the country and a favorite of Arkansans for more than a decade. Which is why the restaurant’s most recent announcement is causing such a stir among its thousands of loyal fans, as well as its owner, Anthony Valinoti.
“I’m stunned,” he said.
The restaurant closed down the debate over who makes the “Best Pizza in the South” according to the most recent issue of Local Palate, a lifestyle magazine based in Charlotte, S.C. with readership across the South.
Upon learning of the restaurant’s top ranking, which is sure to boost the already-rabid popularity of its locations in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Valinoti was humbled.
“There were pizza places from some big cities and states in the contest,” he said. “Deluca’s is honored to represent the amazing pizza community that is Hot Springs.”
Deluca’s Pizza’s success in Hot Springs is akin to a sports team playing in a tough conference, seasoning it to face national competition and win. As Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder said on learning of Deluca’s honor, the city’s many great pizzerias push all of the restaurants to up their game.
“Since Deluca’s is one of the many great pizzerias in Hot Springs, I believe this honor underscores our city’s claim to being the Pizza Capital of the South,” Solleder said on learning of Deluca’s honor.
“I could eat pizza seven days a week, and lucky for me Hot Springs has Rocky’s Corner, SQZBX, Rod’s Pizza Cellar, Grateful Head, Ambrosia at Angels, Sam’s, Maeposa’s and Deluca’s.”
Editor’s Note: Deluca’s Pizza’s Hot Springs location will be closed Sept. 7-16 while the crew takes a short vacation. The Hot Springs restaurant will reopen Thursday, Sept. 17. In the meantime, pizza lovers can still get their Deluca’s fix at the Little Rock location, which will remain open during the Hot Springs closure.
