WE are out to prove we have a better football team than them in the final on Sunday. But, for many, it is undisputed that the Italians have the best food.
With that in mind, below we have listed some of the best places to enjoy a pizza – either in the lead-up to the final or as a takeaway on the night where available.
Even Asda Westbrook's pizza deli counter team have been getting in on the action who recently made an 'England' and 'It's coming home' display using their pizzas.
Similarly, Andy Stafford, the new owner of Delgados in Penketh, has launched a 'St George' pizza with a red cross made out pepperoni.
He said: "As a new business owner in the area, I wanted to show my support for the country in the Euro 2021 and what goes better with football than a pizza? And for this week leading up to the final I'm offering special promotion of a St George pizza plus a bottle of beer for £14."
One of the newest pizza places in Warrington is Santa Lucia, based at the Kings Head pub in Winwick Street.
Nathan Fannon has previously worked in Naples and he launched his Neapolitan-style pizzeria because he loves Italian culture so he is a little conflicted about the Sunday final.
He added: “I love all things Italian, particularly the nation’s cuisine obviously, so I’m slightly conflicted but I’m definitely supporting England on Sunday and can't wait to see the final."
Then again, the Italians do not always agree with how we treat pizza as the below image shows!
CAFFE CARUSO
It is hard to imagine Warrington without Caffe Caruso as it has been part of the town centre for so long.
Blending traditional and modern Italian dishes, the restaurant - known for its warm welcome and cosy atmosphere - tends to be busy at all times whether it be weekday lunchtimes or evenings at the weekend.
It is also a popular spot for celebrations.
RUDY'S STOCKTON HEATH
Launched in 2015 by couple Jim Morgan and Kate Wilson, the Manchester business was at the forefront of the Ancoats food and drink boom, and quickly gained cult status among pizza fans.
The Stockton Heath restaurant is the seventh in the award-winning chain.
The dough is made fresh on site every day and cooked in wood fired ovens for just 60 seconds, all in accordance with Neapolitan pizza tradition, leaving it soft and floppy with a 'leopard patterned cornichon' (crust).
SAN LORENZO
The 200-seat restaurant is in the Cultural Quarter in the grand Treasury Building, specialising in stone baked pizzas prepared in a wood fire oven.
It was launched by the team behind Las Ramblas and Grill on the Square and owned by Charles Dobosz and Adam Smith, who met while working at Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines’ Abode in Manchester.
Years later their huge handcrafted pizzas are still going down a treat and visitors can watch their pizzas being made as the open kitchen is part of the dining room.
DOUGH DOUGH
The Neapolitan-style pizzeria has taken over the glass-fronted unit, formerly occupied by Prezzo, in Golden Square's Old Market Place.
The wood-fired pizza restaurant – part of Pheby Food Concepts (PFC) Group – is the third Dough Dough in the region after Chester and Liverpool.
Dough Dough takes great pride in its signature dough which chefs raise for 24 hours which give the wood-fired pizzas a puffed up crust.
DELGADOS
The family-friendly pizzeria has been part of the community for 20 years where the quality of the food is matched by atmosphere and friendliness.
But it is a new chapter for the Penketh restaurant as former owners Rob and Julie Nunney have moved on and the business is now run by Andy Stafford.
As well as freshly baked pizzas, guests can also enjoy the likes of arancini balls and fresh homemade bread.
It is worth noting though that Delgados is closed on Sundays.
SANTA LUCIA
Nathan Fannon is so passionate about Neapolitan-style pizza that all of his key ingredients are imported directly from Italy.
That includes San Marzano tomatoes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, fior di latte cheese from the milk of Agerolese cows and dough made from Italian ‘00’ flour.
He passionately believes you can taste the difference after previously working as a chef in Italy.
Santa Lucia can be found at the Kings Head in Winwick Street.
LOUIE'S PIZZA
This New York Italian-style pizzeria has become hugely popular since launching at Warrington Market.
Pizza lovers can order 12in or 18in pizzas to eat in or takeaway six days a week with about 10 options to choose from.
Its following grew during the lockdown thanks to a successful takeaway service.
DONATELLO
This Orford Lane family-run favourite has been serving the community for more than 25 years.
In recent Tripadvisor reviews it was described as the 'best in Warrington' and 'perfect'.
Their ethos is 'good food in good company'.
CHESHIRE PIZZA
This Grappenhall restaurant and takeaway has been described as 'gorgeous' and a 'hidden gem'.
The pizzeria has had a couple of former homes including Warrington Market and Bridge Street – but has had happy customers in all of them.
On the website it says: "Our inspiration is simple: We make great-tasting and affordable pizza because we love it.
"We use the finest and freshest ingredients. We import the best flour from Italy and use a long fermentation method in making our dough.
"The result, a tasty and light, thin and crispy base, freshly made sauces and ingredients making our pizza delicious and healthy."
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