New York City

Mayor de Blasio's Spokesman: Chicago Pizza Is Better Than NYC's

There's a cheesy controversy bubbling up in New York City Hall: Mayor de Blasio's spokesman thinks Chicago-style pizza is better than the Big Apple's. 

Press Secretary Eric Phillips took to Twitter over the weekend to claim pies from Chicago deep dish stalwart Pequod's as "the best pizza in the United States and it's not even close."

In a subsequent tweet, Phillips -- who went to Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin -- even went as far as to say New York City pizza is the the Salisbury steak to Chicago's steak.

“NYC has a lot of great pizza. But I prefer Chicago-style. I don’t think anyone cares what type of pizza the mayor’s press secretary likes,” he said in another tweet. “I think they care more about someone not being a phony. Especially about pizza!”

Now -- this being New York City -- dozens of fellow tweeters were quick to take him to task for his views. 

"Living here doesn't make you a New Yorker, apparently," wrote Benjamin Yee, a committeeman on the New York State Democratic Party. "Chicago makes amazing cheese and tomato pie, leave pizza to the pros."

Another piled on, " You are the press secretary for the mayor of NYC & you're betraying a great city right now. TOMATO SOUP IN A BREAD BOWEL ISN'T PIZZA. IT'S AN ABOMINATION"

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But Phillips did have at least one cheerleader: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who also chimed in with a tweet of his own.

“Confirming what everyone already knew,” the mayor said. “Sorry, @NYCMayor.”

It's not the first time the de Blasio administration has found itself in a pizza controversy. In 2014, the mayor raised eyebrows by eating a slice of New York City pizza on Staten Island with a fork and knife

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