Marvin Mozzeroni's Pizza & Pasta Restaurant, Rochester

A portmanteau of “mozzarella” and “pepperoni” gave Marvin Mozzeroni’s its playful name, but the origins of the restaurant itself are rooted in New York. The pizzeria was founded by two Rochester natives in 2004 as Starving Marvin's Pizza before they changed the name in 2007 when they turned their single eatery into a franchise. To this day native New Yorkers own and operate the five locations found throughout the state, including their two new locations in Henrietta and Greece.

The emphasis here is on their numerous specialty pizzas, baked in a brick oven and made fresh daily with hand-tossed dough. They come with a thick or thin crust and homemade red or white sauce, and can be ordered whole or by the slice. The menu also features other Italian food, including calzones and chicken parmigiana, as well as a mix of American-style classics such as hoagies, cheeseburgers, wings with homemade sauce and bleu cheese, and hot dogs. Those with food allergies can opt for gluten-free pizza.