What's the secret to a good Italian restaurant? Usually some Italians in the kitchen, cooking family recipes from the old country. Almost all of this year's winners are Italian-American family-owned single-store eateries.

Perennial favorite Filippi's Pizza Grotto (founded in San Diego in 1950 by Italian immigrant Vincent DiPhilippis) rules the rankings, along with other returning favorites Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria in Vista, Capozzoli's in Oceanside, and Francesca's Italian Kitchen in Temecula.

New to the list this year are three long-established Vista outlets owned by Italian families ---- Feliccia's Italian Deli, Nucci's Italian Cafe and Two Brothers from Italy. Also joining the list are two Temecula restaurants, Pechanga Resort's Paisano's and Gourmet Italia, owned by Sicilian-born Alessandro "Alex" Prestifilippo.

There's nothing quite like a good slice of pizza, and readers proved a delicious pie can be found without having to travel to the country that's shaped like a boot.

Jenny Smart at That Pizza Place in Carlsbad said fresh ingredients on the original medium-crust pies make the restaurant's pizzas stand out above others. The Everything Pizza is a house special and includes, well, everything ---- pepperoni, ham, salami, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers and sausage.

The arcade games, big-screen TV and mechanical horse that has been there for decades all add to the family-oriented atmosphere that Smart said brings in a lot of return customers, as well as teams and groups of high school students.

Killer Pizza From Mars, despite the odd name, also serves up some great pizza in Fallbrook, Escondido and Oceanside. Owner Dave Mizell said the medium, hand-tossed Chicago-style crust serves as a perfect platter for specialty pizzas like the Cluck Rogerz (chicken, red onions, garlic, ranch dressing, tomatoes, cilantro and Romano, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses) and the Pizza of the Godz (fresh garlic and basil, tomatoes, mushrooms and artichoke hearts).

As far as the name, Mizell said it came up in an brainstorming session, and after laughing hysterically, the team decided to stick with it. He pointed to dedication to service as a reason for return customers.

"It's a great atmosphere," he said. "Kids love it because of the decorations and video games, laser beams, blacklights, toys on the wall. ... And we have really high-quality food that the adults love.

"Everyone loves it. It's a win-win for everyone in the family."

Perhaps one of the more recognizable local pizza brands is Pizza Port, which always seems to have a line out the door in Solana Beach and a gaggle of surfers milling around in Carlsbad. Manager Braden Nuxoll lists the prices, consistency and fresh toppings as reasons for the hot spots' popularity.

"It's a laid-back atmosphere, and you don't have to dress up," he said. "It's just a good place for the family to go."

Pizzas are served on a whole-grain beer crust; specialty pizzas include the Monterey (pepperoni, mushrooms, onions and artichoke hearts) and San Clemente (black bean sauce, tomatoes, olives, red onions topped with cheddar, mozzarella, Spanish spices and fresh cilantro). And who can resist the Portzel, made with the beer crust?

In Escondido, Filippi's Pizza Grotto has been tossing pizza dough since 1972. Manager Maria Green said the cheese and made-in-house dough make the pizzas a lot more filling than most customers think. She said she can only eat one or two slices before she calls it a meal.

"People know it's a real filling pizza with good quality," she said.

Popular pizzas include the Fit For a King (cheese, sausage, mushroom, pepperoni, black olives, bell peppers and onions) and Lillian's Special All White Pizza (garlic, mozzarella, provolone and oil).

Green said many Filippi's customers are longtime residents and regulars, and others are people who come back home to visit and tell her how they grew up eating the pizzas that haven't really changed since the restaurant opened. Part of that may be thanks to the cooks, who have stayed with the restaurant for many years and know the perfect way to complete the recipes.

"A lot of people have been coming here for longer than I knew Filippi's even existed," she said.

Other North County winners are New York Pizza, Rosanna's Pasta Shop, Two Brothers From Italy, Upper Crust and URBN Pizza.

In Southwest Riverside County, the owners at Mama Rose's have years of family restaurant experience behind their pizzas. Owner Pam Lepley said the most popular pizza is The Special, made with pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, olive, onion and bell pepper, followed by the Barbecue Chicken. Customers can also build their own pizzas, including a garlic butter pizza.

Lepley said his father-in-law came up with the pizza dough recipe, and it has been handed down from family member to family member, including her husband, Joe.

Other area winners are Bella's Pizza Villa, Giovanni's Pizza and Pasta, Spuntino Pizzeria, Stadium Pizza and Temecula Pizza Company.

Chain winners are BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, Flippin' Pizza, Oggi's, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Round Table Pizza and Sammy's Woodfired Pizza.