Throughout the month of March, Rhode Island: The Pizza State hosted its annual March Madness-style pizza competition — a community-driven tournament where members vote to determine the best pizzas across a variety of styles.
In 2026, two major categories produced the same winner. Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana, located in South County Commons, took home both titles:
March Madness 2026 Champion: Neapolitan Pizza and March Madness 2026 Champion: Grandma Pizza.
To experience what set Pasquale’s apart, Rhode Island: The Pizza State visited in person — and what they found confirmed exactly why voters showed up the way they did.
The Margherita Neapolitan sets the tone. Made with imported San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and fresh basil, each ingredient is used with precision and restraint. The crust, baked in a wood-fired oven built by a Neapolitan craftsman, features classic leopard spotting — puffed, charred, and full of depth.
The sauce stands as the gold standard — clean, bright, and unmistakably tomato-forward. That 
simplicity enhances everything around it. The basil tastes more like basil. The crust carries subtle notes of the fire that made it.
The dough itself is soft, chewy, and impossibly light, balanced by just enough char to add contrast. It’s the kind of crust that makes you reconsider what great pizza can be.
The Grandma pizza delivers a completely different, yet equally impressive experience.
Stretched into a well-oiled pan, the olive oil plays a critical role in developing its signature texture. The cheese is layered first, followed by sauce across the top in a classic old-world pattern. The result is a golden, caramelized base that crackles on contact, giving way to an interior that is airy, light, and deeply satisfying. The edges — where cheese meets pan — become dark, crisp, and nearly frico-like.
This dual win is more than just a title — it represents a community of voters who recognized something exceptional.
Behind it all is a story of dedication: a craftsman who began washing dishes in Naples at 15, crossed an ocean with a vision, and spent decades refining his craft right here in Rhode Island.
At South County Commons, we’re proud to be home to a business that continues to raise the standard — not just locally, but nationally.
Visit Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana and experience both award-winning styles firsthand.
