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How To Take the Ultimate Pittsburgh Pizza Road Trip

April 22, 2018 by Madeline Quigley 30 Comments

Photo: Iron Born Pizza

UPDATE, April 26, 2018: You had lots of opinions about this list – so check out our Ultimate Pittsburgh Pizza Road Trip Part 2: The Fans Strike Back! 

ORIGINAL: We’re back with another installment in our Ultimate Pittsburgh Road Trip series!

Over the past year, we’ve taken you all over Pittsburgh in the name of doughnuts, pierogis, and and ice cream.

Today we’re headed out on a pizza road trip… but this time it’s serious business.  So serious, in fact, that we’ve called in a local expert for advice. To help us select the spots, Pittburgher Dan Tallarico of the blog Pizza Walk With Me has shared a few of his favorite local spots.

They say any pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard enough, so good luck! Please tag all of your pizza pictures with #goodfoodpgh and @goodfoodpgh.

What type of road trip would you like to see next? Leave it in the comments below!

Stop 1: Beto’s Pizza and Restaurant

Banksville

Photo: Beto’s Pizza

Cold toppings on top of a cooked pizza? It may sound wacky, but at Beto’s it’s a tradition that Pittsburghers flock to. For over 60 years, Betos has served their pizza with a unique twist – all toppings (including cheese) are added to the pizza still cold from the refrigerator (after the pie has cooked). Beto’s must be doing something right, as it’s nearly impossible to find a parking spot in the parking lot at lunch time. Everyone must try Beto’s funky pizza at least once, and at $1.60 a slice, you might just find yourself coming back for more!

Beto’s Pizza and Restaurant (1473 Banksville Rd)

Stop 2: Iron Born Pizza

Strip District

Photo: Iron Born

Ever since Iron Born opened in the Smallman Galley in 2017, Pittsburghers have not been shy about their love of Detroit Style Pizza. The restaurant became a fast-favorite in the city with everyone raving about Iron Born’s “White Pie,” as well as their “Brunch Pie” which features potatoes and eggs. The Smallman Galley gets very hectic on the weekends, so it’s best to visit Iron Born during the the week to ensure nothing on the menu has sold out. Once you’ve had a bite of this pizza, you’ll be back within a few weeks to try more – don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Iron Born Pizza (54 21st St)

Stop 3: Fazio’s Pizza

Bloomfield 

Google says that Fazio’s is an “unpretentious shop for pizzas, hoagies, wings, calzones,” but Dan says that Fazio’s does “The best NJ / NYC style pizza in the city!” In his review of Fazios on his blog, Dan explains that owner John Fazio spent his childhood summers in New Jersey, where he worked at a family member’s pizzeria. He has brought this knowledge of New Jersey pizza back to Pittsburgh, and we’re all grateful. While any pizza is sure to satisfy, try their white pizza with creamy ricotta and diced tomatoes.

Fazio’s Pizza (4028 Penn Ave)

Stop 4: Driftwood Oven

Lawrenceville

Photo: Driftwood Oven

What started as a mobile pizza operation, serving pies at different breweries and popups, has evolved into one of Pittsburgh’s favorite pizza shops. After nearly three years of spinning pizzas across the city, Driftwood Oven officially opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Lawrenceville. Driftwood is known for their naturally leavened, wood-fired pizzas. Customer favorites include the “Archer” with spicy Italian sausage, and the “Major Tom” with ricotta and Morita chili oil. With more room at their new restaurant, the Driftwood team has expanded into the world of sandwiches (on homemade bread) and singular slices. Be sure to show up hungry as there is plenty to check out.

Driftwood Oven (3615 Butler St)

Stop 5: Spak Brothers

Bloomfield

Photo: Spak Brothers

If you’re craving a hearty, no-frills slice of pizza, look no further than Spak Brothers on Penn Avenue in Garfield. This funky pizza joint is known for their decadent hoagies, as well as their specialty pies, which are loaded up with tons of toppings. Spak Brothers is a great choice for vegans, as the restaurant has vegan “cheese” and seitan for the pizzas and hoagies. Spak Brothers is open late on weekends, and is the perfect spot to grab a slice after a night of bar crawling on Penn Ave.

Spak Brothers (5107 Penn Ave)

Stop 6: Dinette

East Liberty

Dinette opened nearly 10 years ago in East Liberty, but their pizza has withstood the test of time and remains some of the best in the city. Dinette’s pizzas are paper-thin and topped with fresh, artisanal ingredients.  From the appetizer section, be sure to start your meal with their perfectly-seared shishito peppers. For pizza, it’s hard to choose just one pie, but our favorite pizza is the “Berkshire Prosciutto.” We may, or may not, order a second one to-go so at the end of the meal so we can eat it cold for breakfast the next day. (It’s just that good!)

Dinette (5996 Centre Ave)

Stop 7: Pizza Taglio

East Liberty

Photo: Pizza Taglio

Just across the street from Dinette is Pizza Taglio, which features Roman-style pizzas. At this BYOB joint, pizzas are cooked inside of the restaurant’s woodfired oven. On a hot day Taglio’s pies can reach optimal crispiness in mere seconds. Our favorites pizzas include the Greenpointer pizza with spicy Calabrese sopressata and Mike’s Hot Honey, as well as the Pig-Face with guanciale and pecorino. Pro tip: get one pizza at Dinette, and then head over to Pizza Taglio for a second pie. These restaurants are close in distance, but miles apart in style and flavor.

Pizza Taglio (126 S Highland Ave)

Stop 8: Ephesus Pizza

Various locations

Photo: Ephesus Pizza

Sometimes you’re less interested in the pizza, and more concerned with the toppings. In those situations, check the menu for Ephesus Pizza, which has three locations in the city. This restaurant specializes in Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Be sure to start with some of their authentic Mediterranean appetizers. In terms of pizza, the restaurant offers many varieties of Turkish pide, all of which are delicious. Our favorite is the classic Lahmajun with ground meat.

Ephesus (multiple locations)

Stop 9: Sir Pizza

North Hills

Photo: Sir Pizza Ross Township

Dan also recommends Sir Pizza in the North Hills, saying “They do a really crispy pizza with square slices.” Well, that sounds pretty good to us! This regional chain has a few locations in Pittsburgh, including Ross, Cranberry, and Franklin. These pies are known for their crustless pizza, meaning the toppings and sauce cover the entire pie.  See the photo above to fully understand these tasty pizzas.

Sir Pizza (multiple locations)

Have we convinced you? Are you heading out on the Pittsburgh pizza road trip? Please tag all of your photos with #goodfoodpgh and @goodfoodpgh!


Looking for more Good Food Pittsburgh stories to read? Try these: 

  • Pittsburgh’s Best New Restaurant Openings in 2018
  • How to Take the Ultimate Pittsburgh Pasta Road Trip 
  • The Best Spots for Late-Night Eats in Pittsburgh
  • 18 Fantastic Small Bakeries Making Sweet Treats in Pittsburgh

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Comments

  1. Pizza Lover says

    April 22, 2018 at 11:04 am

    How can you trust an article about the best pizza in Pittsburgh if Mineo’s, Aiello’s, and Vincent’s aren’t listed

    Reply
    • Matt says

      April 22, 2018 at 8:29 pm

      Or joios…

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        April 22, 2018 at 9:51 pm

        Or fioris????? LOL

        Reply
  2. Stephanie Crummel says

    April 22, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Sorry, but you didn’t mention one of the best pizzas in Pittsburgh….Mineo’s. Need new tasters.

    Reply
  3. Grub Meister says

    April 22, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    I may be the only Pittsburgher who’s tired of seeing restaurants open up in Lawrenceville and/or Bloomfield. Or articles mentioning eateries that reside in those locations. Eventually, Lawrenceville will bottom out from the over abundance. Wanna make some serious cash then open eateries in the South Hills. Not Mt. Lebo. or Dormont. Bit Bethel Park. Pleasant Hills. (Rt. 51) Jefferson Hills. Upper St. Clair. There’s an eating crowd in these places too. And yes there’s places to build or ready to be used for such establishments, especially along 51 in Pl. Hills. Y’know, people who’d like to have new places, choices, to eat? Residents have money here too.

    Reply
    • Charlie says

      April 23, 2018 at 10:35 am

      “I may be the only Pittsburgher who’s tired of seeing restaurants open up in Lawrenceville and/or Bloomfield.”

      If you live in Bethel Park/Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills/USC, you’re not a Pittsburgher.

      You don’t get to move out to the suburbs and then complain that’ you’re missing all that’s going on in the city.

      Reply
    • Kristy says

      April 25, 2018 at 6:53 am

      Wow. Be happy for these places that are booming!!!

      Reply
    • Bonnie says

      April 25, 2018 at 10:27 am

      The Village in Mt Pleasant.. .the square cut is incredible!

      Reply
  4. Briggitte Rodriguez says

    April 22, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    This is insane!! I lived in Pittsburgh for 7yrs.
    My husband and I hunted for some of Pittsburgh best foods. When it came down to Pizza, it was definitely PORTIFINOS PIZZA!!
    Portifinos Pizza down on Brownsville Rd. by far the best pizza, with fresh pizza dough made every day, fresh cheese, fresh veggies and the best sauce ever! They also have the best chicken carbonara in pittsburgh!! I freaking love this place. I live 3hrs away and continue to visit Portifinos at least 2 times a month.

    Reply
  5. John Hunyady says

    April 22, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Betos you got right the best! How about campities in dormont bethel. Sir pizza is horrible.

    Reply
  6. LJM says

    April 22, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    How do you leave Fiori’s off the list?

    Reply
  7. Rosemary Stock says

    April 22, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    Can’t believe Vincent’s Pizza Park on Ardmore Blvd. didn’t make your list!!!!

    Reply
  8. John Linko says

    April 22, 2018 at 4:23 pm

    Nice that you highlighted Ephesus (they are underrated IMHO), but any “pizza road trip” that bypasses Squirrel Hill and Mineo’s, Aiello’s, or both is a trip incomplete.

    Reply
  9. Mike says

    April 22, 2018 at 5:11 pm

    No shelly pie pizza on this list. What a joke.

    Reply
  10. Jay says

    April 22, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    ROB’S Pizza ! Hands down, 30 years still the
    best ever!!
    Rt 22 Murrysville

    Reply
  11. Larry says

    April 22, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Luciano’s wins best pizza every year, how did they not make the list?

    Reply
  12. Brendan brown says

    April 22, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    You couldn’t put all of the good pizza places in Pittsburgh in a list like this and this list does have a bunch of good pizza places on it, but this list is wack and misses not only some of the most hyped and historic pizza places, but also some of the best. Born and raised in Squirrel Hill, which didn’t even get a shout, while a lawrenceville that didn’t exist 15 years ago gets love. In any case, Pittsburgh has some of the best pizza in the world.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      April 26, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Lawrenceville didn’t exist 15 yrs ago? I went to nursing school and worked in Lawrenceville 48 yrs ago!

      Reply
  13. Karen says

    April 22, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    Left Fiori’s and maiettas off the list. Maiettas is my favorite place, been there 45 years, and still using the same amazing recipes to this day.

    Reply
  14. John says

    April 22, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    Haven’t lived in Pittsburgh for years. Mines and Vincent’s are no longer around?

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    April 22, 2018 at 10:52 pm

    Why isn’t Proper brick oven on here

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    April 22, 2018 at 11:17 pm

    Fiori and Mineos should have made the list

    Reply
  17. Gary Jackson says

    April 22, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    what a joke. Fioris best pie in the burgh and yes Murray ave. a must for mineos and aiello.

    Reply
  18. Cindy says

    April 23, 2018 at 12:20 am

    Make a stop at Pizza Supreme in Downtown Irwin – serving award winning pizza for over 37 years !

    Reply
  19. Katie says

    April 23, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Fioris! Aiellos! Wtf?! Slice on Beechview! How are these not even mentioned?

    Reply
  20. Kathie says

    April 25, 2018 at 6:16 am

    These all look wonderful, and I’m lucky enough to have been to some! Sirs is close to home, the royal feast is awesome!! If you’re heading out to the north, Luigis in Bellevue has great pizza, and been around for decades!

    Reply
  21. Denise says

    April 25, 2018 at 7:25 am

    How do you not mention Fioris or Mineios or Dough Boys in the Stowe !!! Anyone who know pizza knows these are your top places !!!

    Reply
  22. shannon says

    April 25, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Mama Meatballs Pizzeria in Wilkins Township! Give them a try!!!

    Reply
  23. Phyllis Esau says

    April 25, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Doughboys best pizza. Along with double cheese on every pizza. Do not even ask for it they make that way. Absolutely the best

    Reply
  24. Bethany says

    April 25, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    Good choice!

    Reply

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