Celebrate National Pizza Day with us and a fellow Local Guide

[DeniGu]

Caption: A collage of two photos taken by Local Guide Chuck Mound, showing Vincenzo, a pizza maker at Bricco Coal Fired Pizza (left) and a pizza in a takeaway box (right). (Local Guide Chuck Mound)

February 9 is National Pizza Day in the U.S., but from what we’ve seen on Connect, love for this cheesy delight is universal! Local Guides have connected virtually to make pizza together, exchanged recommendations on the best pizza places, and made it part of their foodie challenges.

So what better way to celebrate the occasion than hear from one Local Guide who’s harboring a lifelong love for pizza? Meet Chuck Mound (@42speed), a Local Guide Level 10 from New Jersey, USA. After trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days eating a slice of pizza when he was 10, his career as a sports performance coach has led him around the U.S. leaving reviews of pizzerias.

Here’s what he shared. 

How did you get started sharing reviews on Google Maps?

In my 30-year coaching career, I’ve coached on all levels of competition — from youth to professional, including Olympic and NFL teams. While presenting in over 45 states, I’ve had the opportunity to eat the best foods around the country during pre- and post-game festivities. I like to help people not only understand where to go but what you should order once you get there.

What qualities do you look for in a pizzeria, and how do you approach your pizza reviews?

When I go somewhere new, I love to know their niche or their signature dish. I like to dive in and learn more about the dough, the crust, and the sauce. When reviewing places, I try to describe the whole experience. Customer service can be just as important as the food.

What types of pizzerias get you excited?

I love to support local businesses. I won’t go cookie cutter. I like to find that hole-in-the-wall place where Grandma is making the sauce. I feed off of passion. If you’re passionate about what you do, that’s fantastic… I’ve eaten a lot of bad pizza, I’m over eating bad pizza.

If you’re passionate about pizza too, you’ll love Chuck’s list of pizza places across the U.S.

Local Guides, how would you celebrate National Pizza Day? Is there a pizzeria in your area that everyone should know about? Let us know in the comments.