The Daily Meal, the world’s largest food and drink lifestyle site, just unveiled its first-ever list of America’s 35 Favorite Pizzerias — as voted on by its readers (over 6000 to be exact)  — which differs from their annual ranking of 101 Best Pizzas in America, published this past August based on the nominations and votes of a panel of pizza experts.

When the votes were tabulated, 19 of the winning pizzerias were found in New York State, eight in Connecticut, four from Illinois, two from New Jersey, and one each from Massachusetts and Ohio. One crossover from the earlier list: the number-one establishment on both the experts’ and the readers’ poll was the legendary Frank Pepe in New Haven, Connecticut.

New Jersey’s two ranking pizzerias were Star Tavern in Orange (#2) and Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Elizabeth (#34).

“The big surprise for us,” said Arthur Bovino, Executive Editor of The Daily Meal, “is that, though our respondents came from all over America, no pizzerias from the California, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, or the South made the final tally. Nonetheless, the readers have spoken — and we appreciate their having taken the time to vote for their favorites.”

[photo source: Star Tavern]