Each month in Destinations, we highlight an up-and-coming pizza spot in the U.S. In Pizza Destinations, we showcase a pizza place that may have just opened to rave reviews, hit best pizza lists or have exciting news. If you’re a pizzeria that would like to be featured, reach out to Executive Editor Denise Greer at dgreer@pizzatoday.com.

Ohio Pie Co. is in growth mode with its third location, which opened in May. Owner Nick Robson reflects on the concept, pizza style, unique branding and hot pizzas. “When we opened in 2019, I wanted to create my own, unique style of pizza: Ohio-style pizza,” he says.

“Combining a style of pizza you can’t get anywhere else with a heavy focus on branding, design, art and service are how we try to differentiate ourselves. Ohio-style pizza is a mid-thickness crust, round pie, square cut, with cheese and toppings running all the way to the edge and a sweet sauce spiral on top (no sauce under the cheese). We don’t make anything else – we just keep it nice and simple. Obviously, nothing will ever be more popular than a classic pepperoni, but the pizza people get the most excited about is our secret menu Pickle Pizza – party sauce base (our cream cheese-based white sauce), cheese blend, dill pickles and crushed pickle potato chips after the bake. Honorable mention: The Thanksgiving Pie, which we run every November, is easily our most popular special pie every year. Cheese blend, mashed potato, roasted white and dark meat turkey, stuffing, gravy and a side of cranberry sauce.

Pizza Expo is coming to Columbus, Ohio, in October! Get all the news about the inaugural event and register here!

Pizzerias on the Radar

Salvatore “Tore” Trupiano, owner of Mangia e Bevi in Oceanside, California, took home the top prize at the California Pizza Contest with his entry in The Big Cheese category. Edward Stalewski of Mercurio’s and Marcus Medina of Hella Pie Pizza Co. also claimed victories in the On the Menu and Innovative Wildcard categories.

Heights Pizza Man in Northwest Minneapolis has gone viral after posting to Facebook: “Recently, we’ve noticed a rapidly increasing volume of evidence of people eating out of our dumpster. Please do not eat out of our dumpster. Nobody deserves that.” In the post, he offers cheese pizza to those in need. A community initiative is born!

Stefano’s Brooklyn Pizza in Harlingen, Texas, donated half of its July 30-31 pizza sales to support the employees of a neighboring business, Johnny’s True Value, after it was destroyed by a fire.

Pizzeria Da Laura in Berkeley, California, hosted a special evening with several renowned chefs and pizza makers to benefit the John Arena Foundation supporting those living with Parkinson’s Disease.

The post Ohio Pie Co., Brunswick, Ohio | Destinations appeared first on Pizza Today.

Each month in Destinations, we highlight an up-and-coming pizza spot in the U.S. In Pizza Destinations, we showcase a pizza place that may have just opened to rave reviews, hit best pizza lists or have exciting news. If you’re a pizzeria that would like to be featured, reach out to Executive Editor Denise Greer at dgreer@pizzatoday.com.

A Look at Large Plain Pizza & Pints with owner Paul Powell

Paul Powell opened his first pizza shop in 2008 with the support of his late mother, Wendy, in whose honor he would later host an annual fundraiser for A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting breast cancer research. 

Photo courtesy of Large Plain Pizza & Pints.

In 2022, Large Plain relocated to a larger space, giving Powell the opportunity to grow the pizzeria and expand its offerings. “We are known for our community spirit, local roots, hand-tossed pizza and fresh wings,” Powell says. “We aim to make every guest feel at home.” Large Plain hosts and participates in several community events, from trivia nights and fundraisers to festivals and tap takeovers.

The pizzeria serves “Pittsburgh-style” pizza, a hand-tossed pizza with a chewy crust and sweet sauce. Its signature Black and Gold Pizza is a favorite, topped with pulled pork, bacon and two types of BBQ sauce. Other specialty pizzas include It’s Kind of a Big Dill Pickle Pizza with pickle slices, cheddar cheese and dill on garlic butter sauce. There is also the Tuscan Chicken Pizza with grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, spinach, mozzarella, feta and provolone on a garlic butter sauce. A variety of oven-toasted hoagies, wings, calzones, appetizers and desserts round out the menu. Large Plain also serves local craft beers.

Learn more about Large Plain Pizza & Pint. Follow Large Plain on Instagram.

Pizzerias On The Radar

“On The Radar” is the spot to share quick snippets of pizzerias that are making headlines, introducing new initiatives, receiving honors and more. If you’re a pizzeria that would like to be featured in On the Radar, share your news with Executive Editor Denise Greer at dgreer@pizzatoday.com.

• Former heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr. joins the team as partner of San Diego’s Victorino’s Pizzeria, which specializes in New York, Chicago deep dish and square pan pizza. The Chula Vista Victorino’s will be rebranded as “Andy’s Pizzeria.”

• TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee rewards Sharpiros Pizzeria in Conyers, Georgia with a $50,000 award, backed by Toast, in recognition of embodying the spirit of service.

• Sacramento-based Majka Pizzeria has been included in the Michelin’s California Guide, citing its “excellent ingredient-driven pies with naturally leavened crusts” and “an ever-changing daily creation highlighting seasonal toppings.”

• Chicago’s Aurelio’s Pizza proclaims “Pope’s Pizza.” Aurelio’s Pizza has drawn attention for its Pope Leo XIV connection. According to a Chicago Tribune article, he enjoys the thin-crust pepperoni pizza at Aurelio’s Pizza in Homewood, Illinois.

• Sally’s Apizza launches its first professional sports sponsorship as exclusive food sponsor of the Ferrari Challenge racing series, with Ferrari of Miami race driver Dylan Medler.

• Actress, writer, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Issa Rae and hospitality group Good Vibes Only launch a funk-inspired pizzeria and bar, Downtown Dough, in Los Angeles.

Read the July 2025 Issue of Pizza Today Magazine

Who are this year’s Rising Stars in the Pizza Industry? We profile six up-and-comers who are making their mark on pizza. Discover why the Grandma style pizza is spreading across the country. See why your pizza could benefit from whole-grain flour. Brush up on inventory management best practices. Learn how to take your products to the retail market. Go to the July Issue.

The post Large Plain Pizza and Pints, Pittsburgh, PA | Pizza Destinations appeared first on Pizza Today.

In Pizzerias “On the Radar”, we share quick snippets of pizzerias that are making headlines, introducing new initiatives, receiving honors, pizzeria news, and more. Check out “On The Radar” each week to see which pizzerias are making the news. If you’re a pizzeria that would like to be featured in On the Radar, share your news with Executive Editor Denise Greer at dgreer@pizzatoday.com.

Week of March 3, 2025 — Pizzerias in the News

Patelmo’s Pizzeria, West Chester, Pennsylvania  

Tom Amodei, founder and CEO of Patelmo’s Pizzeria, is launching a franchise model for the Sicilian-style pizza restaurant; partners will receive marketing support, training and Amodei’s family recipes.  

Cargo Pizza Co., Portland, Maine 

Food truck Cargo Pizza Co. opened a brick-and-mortar location serving Neo-Neapolitan/New Haven-style pizza at 1053 Forest Ave. 

Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and Young Joni, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Chef Ann Kim has launched a Collaboration with Target and its Good & Gather Brand with seven frozen pizzas and appetizers. 

Pisa Lisa, Sedona Arizona 

Founder and Chef Lisa Dahl is featured in James Beard award-winning photographer Eric Wolfinger’s documentary short film, Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace, premiering at the Sedona International Film Festival. 

Domino’s, Ann Arbor, Michigan 

U.S. pizza giant Domino’s plans to close 205 stores in 2025, with 175 of the closures happening in Japan; Domino’s grew by 775 stores in fiscal year 2024, with 364 openings in the fourth quarter. 

Tony’s Pizzeria, Highspire, Pennsylvania 

Tony’s Pizzeria announced in a Facebook post that it will close permanently on March 22 after 13 years in business. 

Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks, Apple Valley, Minnesota 

The local chain that has been named to Yelp’s Best Pizza Shops in the Midwest, opens its ninth Twin Cities location. 

Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen, Phoenix, Arizona 

The family business collaborates with State Forty Eight Foundation and its mission to drive local prosperity through entrepreneurship. The collab includes a pizza, t-shirt and cocktail. 

Past Pizzerias On the Radar

Alexander’s Pizza, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania

The small-town pizza shop provided a warm respite and complimentary food to mail carriers and delivery drivers during below-zero winter weather.

Pizza Marvin, Providence, Rhode Island

Owner Robert Andreozzi is a Best Chef semifinalist in the Northeast region of the James Beard Awards. Pizzeria Marvin specializes in round and square pizzas.

Double Zero Pie & Pub, Las Vegas, Nevada

Partner and head pizzaiolo Michael Vakneen is a Best Chef semifinalist in the Northeast region of the James Beard Awards. Double Zero ranked No. 45 on Top 50 Pizza.

Stellina Pizzeria, Washington, D.C.

The Neapolitan pizzeria expanded its Union Market location, nearly doubling its size to a seating capacity of 127. With expansion, Stellina has debuted weekend brunch service offering classic brunch dishes with an Italian twist.

DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana, Austin, Texas

The two-unit pizza company recently launched a pizza school with three different focus tracks, including Date Night, Friends and Family and the Corporate Pizza School Experience.

Meglio Pizzeria, Newtown, Pennsylvania

Congrats to the team for being named Business of the Year by the Newtown Business Association. The honor noted the pizzeria’s contributions and exceptional catering.

Rosalee’s Pizzeria, Longmont, Colorado

Known for “East Coast pies under Western Skies”, tapped the No. 7 spot on Eat This, Not That!’s Where to Get the Best Slice of Pizza in America, According to Chefs.

Mary Jane’s Stone Bakes Pizza, Chester, West Virginia

This was the comeback story of 2024, when it reopened after tremendous family loss and the building the pizzeria resided in was sold, leaving the pizzeria to find a new home.

Mineo’s Pizza House, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The longtime Steel City staple is adding its fourth location at the Pittsburgh International Airport this summer.

Pizzeria Gusto, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

In 2024, the Neapolitan style pizzeria became women-majority owned and has a commitment to support other local businesses in 2025.

Bartoli Pizzeria, West Town, Chicago, Illinois

The pizzeria leaned into its dog-friendly reputation so much so that its walk-up window has become a “doggie treat window” for all the happy pups.

Ivy Bear Pizzeria, Sandy, Oregon

This pizza spot at the base of Mount Hood is known for its culinary creations. It’s also a “bed and pizza” and just introduced its Scott’s Pepper House line of hot sauces.

The post Weekly Pizzerias On the Radar appeared first on Pizza Today.