I won't vouch for the Midwest, the South or the West Coast but IMO you're being a little harsh on NY. You didn't mention NJ which in my opinion has the best among the US.I’ve eaten in Italians in NY, Philly, as well as Boston, Chicago, San Fran, LA, Austin, Denver and Atlanta and they were all good, but none of them mind blowing - and not a patch on restaurants I‘ve been to in Milan, Bologna, Genoa, Florence and Naples.
Not even close.
I give the nod to the "originals" as well. That's not even the point.
All I said was a meatball parm on a fresh stick bread is the bomb. I know it's an Italian-American creation. No one has to school me on any of that.
That doesn't mean it isn't tasty as fuck...