Pizza in Pittsburgh: New York Style or Chicago Style Pizza is most common? (Penn Hills: home, price)

[greg42]

Geez, 30 posts and nobody mentions that you can get real Neapolitan pizza in this area? Il Pizzaiolo, Mt Lebanon. I don't know why there's no web site; perhaps the guy is just too busy making sure the pizza is right. Here's the P-G article from last fall on the quest for best pizza:

A quest for the best pizza in the Pittsburgh area

Il Pizzaiolo meets the Vera Pizza standard. Maybe a few dozen places in the US actually do, and it's the only one in PA: http://verapizzanapoletana.org/vpn_frames-index.htm They have an oven imported from Italy. You can get a Margherita with DOP Italian ingredients (moz and San Marzano), although even if not that exacting almost all the ingredients are imported from there. I haven't been to Naples to compare, but Il Pizzaiolo is good stuff.

Note in same article that cold topping variant was referred to as "Ambridge-style". Very odd. Although there are one or two places there that do it that way.

Harry's, also mentioned in the above P-G article, is known for being the closest to New Haven style in the area, as far as I know. Harry's Pizza

I dunno if it's clear, but in local joints, deep dish is not typically done or expected. Although, the reality is, only PART of Chicago eats deep dish, from what I hear.

[dugdogmaster]

Originally Posted by groar

and copanut, you have never had russian pizza! that is BAD. although my husband says polish pizza is amazing so go figure.

Perogi pizza!

[neurodistortion]

My favorite pizza happens to be Giannilli's in Greensburg. It's just the perfect flavor, not too sweet, not too salty, etc. Around here, Giannilli's, Jioio's and Pizza Siena are the three most popular. The only Pittsburgh-area pizzerias I've tried was Pizza Sola in the Southside and Italian Village Pizza at Century III Mall. They're both pretty good IMO.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Just tried Azzeria in the North Hills last night, excellent.

I need to try this one sometime, really not that far from here. That's their second location; the original is on Banksville Rd. Web: Azzeria, Inc.

[dugdogmaster]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Fiori's! It's right on 19 where Brookline, Dormont and Beechview all practically converge. Best pizza in Da'Burgh, hands down! Oh, and another good slice, if you don't mind a bit of travel time, Luigi's in Hermitage, PA. I've actually met people there picking up a pie from the North Hills burbs of Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

Not that I am aware of... never heard of that, never saw it anywhere in town.

My brother just tried a place like this, he mentioned the name too, but now I can't remember it Anyway, he said it wasn't half bad.

Now that I think about it, The O' doesn't make that bad of a pizza, so long as you don't mind the extremely greasy type.

[Kate88]

As far as New York style pizza, there's a little chain called Pizza Sola, with locations in Oakland, East Liberty, and South Side. They advertise themselves as New York style pizza with the freshest ingredients. I still haven't gotten around to going, so I can't personally vouch for it, but my friends have eaten in the Oakland and South Side locations and rave about it.

[ddietrich]

Originally Posted by neurodistortion

Italian Village Pizza at Century III Mall. They're both pretty good IMO.

Ick. Mall pizza shouldn't even be considered pizza.

[groar]

italian village isn't exactly mall pizza - they have a few locations around the city. their pizza is decent.

i don't think pittsburgh pizza is bad, by the way, it's just not as good as new haven or new york pizza.

i'm also not a fan of deep dish.

oh and greg, thank you very much for the link to that article - i will be checking out harry's posthaste! i'd never heard of il pizzaiolo either. it sounds amazing.

[BrianTH]

I actually like Chicago-style pizza, but in my mind it is a completely different thing so I don't view it as an either/or situation.

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I actually like Chicago-style pizza, but in my mind it is a completely different thing so I don't view it as an either/or situation.

A "completely different thing" as in "not pizza".