It’s just flatbread with toppings, and has been around since ancient Greek and Etruscan times. But pizza is big business. Competition is stiff, and the turnover high. In Toronto, discussions of the best pizza typically centre around a few usual suspects: Terroni and Libretto (Terroni had often gained the edge until Pizzeria Libretto opened up and began to steal some of the "best pizza in Toronto" praise). Meanwhile, the stalwarts are pulling in the masses in record numbers. Pizza lovers are fanatically faithful to their brand and have a stubborn hatred for all the rest (read some of the reader reviews to get a taste of the pizza frenzy). Here are the best pizza spots in Toronto (as according to your reader reviews).

Pizzeria Libretto
It’s unclear if Pizzeria Libretto's chef Rocco Agostino and proprietor Max Rimaldi were aware of the pizza frenzy that would erupt when they opened this outpost devoted to true authentic Neapolitan pizza. Not just that, but Libretto adds even more flavour to a street that is already one of the coolest hangs in the city. Atmosphere aside, people go to a pizza joint for one thing: the pizza. And the signature slices at Libretto don’t disappoint. From the duck confit pizza with pesto and tomato ($15) and the sardine pizza with citrus olives and chili oil ($14) to the Ontario prosciutto & arugula with shaved parmigiano reggiano ($15) and house-made sausage with caramelized onion ($15) the consistency is beyond expectations. 221 Ossington Ave., 416-532-8000.

Terroni
Never one to back down, owner Cosimo Mammoliti opened this gorgeous Terroni location on Adelaide Street to keep in the pizza game. The location kept the trademark menu – including the authentic neopolitan-style thin-crust unsliced pizza – but upgraded the décor considerably, a calculated move to stay in the spotlight. If pizza is your wont – and for most Terroni-ites, it is – the range is in abundance. The Li Pecuri ($14.95) is decked out with mozzarella, goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, arugula and parmigiano. Conversely, Peppino ($13.95) is rather bland, with garlic, grilled eggplant and zucchini. The Don Corrado ($14.95) is a spicy boy – with mozzarella, sharp gorgonzola, spicy sausage and a little sprinkle of rosemary – that will help clear the sinuses. Rachael Ray would be happy to see the abundance of EVOO. 57 Adelaide Street East, 416-203-3093.

Lil' Baci's Pizza
The Toronto pizza biz may be tough, but Leslie Ng’s little spot pulls them in and keeps them coming back for more. A mix of casual, jean-wearing couples as well as Leslieville old-school locals, share plates of Pizza Nonna ($13.95) with tomato, eggplant roasted peppers and goat cheese, or the Nonno ($14.95) with tomato, prosciutto, crudo , mozzerella and arugula. Or wait… even better is the eponymous Lil' Baci ($14.95) with sausage, panna basil, red onion, pecorino and fennel pollen. It's not that the eatery - a Queen East storefront that seems lost amongst the used appliance shops - is a one-hit wonder, though; it would be a tragedy to leave without picking up some of the notoriously good (well, in this area anyway) cupcakes. Tragedy. 892 Queen Street East, 416-465-4888.

Pizzaiolo
While Pizzaiolo is opening new storefronts across the city in a seemingly Starbucks-esque frenzy, many pizza-lovers contend that this brand doles out some of the best pizzas in the city. The Pizzaiolo outposts - and there are many - serve up doughy, cheesy, tomato pies full of hearty ingredients such as Italian veal, grilled chicken and juicy steak to name a few. From the Capone, with chicken breast, roasted red peppers and pesto Sauce, and the Gianni Ola with pepperoni, mushrooms, bacon and mozzarella to the Meat Lover, with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham & ground beef and mozzarella, the slices are thick, spongy dough, surprisingly airy, with just a slight, appealing edge of char. 270 Adelaide Street West, 416-340-0002 (* there are 9 locations, with 6 upcoming openings).

Massimo's Pizza
This Toronto institution has been chugging out slices for almost two decades. But it seemed Massimo's had finally had its day with a series of unfortunate events, most recently a fire, leaving the stalwart pizza place shuttered. But it turns out the owners regrouped and re-opened in a much hipper part of town: West Queen West. The drab New York "we don't really give a shit" atmosphere remains intact, but it’s those gloriously large, impeccably greasy pepperoni slices that have us waxing nostalgic for drunken last-call junk food binges of old. The pies are the standard variety - Hawaiian, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Margherita Pizza and the like - but the oversized slices no doubt deliver, with a crust that is equal parts chew and crunch. (Another Massimo's Pizza is re-opening on College Street, just a few doors west of the original location.)1130 Queen St. West, 416-967-0527.

Carpe Diem
With Libretto, Terroni and Pizzaiolo clamouring for the attention of pizza-craving Toronto residents, it's ambitious of the Carpe Diem owners to attempt the same with this little King East spot. Far from the Ossington and Queen West Street traffic, Carpe Diem is one of the neighbourhood's latest bastions of Italian authenticity. The Parmigiana Pizza, with mozzarella, eggplant, sundried tomatoes and a generous drizzling of parmesan, offers hot bliss, while the classic 4 Formaggi with mozzarella, blue cheese, feta, brie and parmesan cheese, satisfies purists. The “Speck & brie” - with tomato sauce, mozzarella, speck and brie - is another good option. 263 King Street East.