The 2026 March Madness-style Sweet 16 bracket of best pizza in Sarasota has been sliced down to the Final Four, with competitors receiving an impressive 40% of the votes in Round 2. This year’s bracket has highlighted the rising popularity of Columbus-style pizza, which is characterized by its thin crust, toppings to the edge, and square cut.
Columbus-style pizza has been gaining national recognition among food lovers, with a 2024 best-of poll conducted by Dispatch naming Terita’s as the local favorite among 11 nominees. The style’s unique characteristics have sparked debates among pizza enthusiasts, with some dismissing it as inferior to New York-style pizza. However, Andrea Margolis noted, “The pizza’s unique characteristics are helping Columbus to gain national recognition … as the city continues to build its reputation among food lovers.”
Massey’s founders, Dan and Jim Massucci, are credited with originating Columbus-style pizza in 1949, and their influence is still felt today. A recent article in the New York Post highlighted the growing popularity of this pizza style, stating, “Move over, New York and Chicago — a Midwest pizza style is taking over.”
In addition to the local pizza scene, the upcoming release of the film “Pizza Movie” on Hulu on April 3, 2026, adds to the excitement surrounding the topic. The movie features a shy college student and his reckless roommate navigating a chaotic night, and has been described as “as stupid as it is hilarious, fueled by the comedic gold of Gaten Matarazzo and Sean Giambrone.” The film runs for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
As the Sarasota pizza bracket progresses, observers are keenly watching to see which pizzeria will emerge victorious. With the spotlight on Columbus-style pizza, it remains to be seen how the local favorites will fare against established styles. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final matchups and the ultimate winner of this year’s bracket.
