Pittsburgh Pizza Update - 4/23 - Be a Pizza Hipster

Hey! You’re reading the second week of the Pittsburgh Pizza Update! This is great news because it means Pittsburgh is bursting with pizza news. The Pittsburgh Pizza scene is rising faster than dough overloaded with yeast and set in a humid, warm room. 

I think we owe a lot of this growth to the recent changes in Pittsburgh and influx of adventurous young people. I don’t know the best way to describe it, but Tony from Pizza Taglio does. He believes the reason we have such  an insurgence in great pizzerias is due to the idea of “the hipster.” Which is in no way derogatory here. It’s a way to say people care about trying new things.

Which is why Tony can serve a pizza drizzled with honey, or a square pizza fused with cauliflower. Or why Bread & Salt can open up blocks back from Liberty Ave—Pittsburgh folks are seeking out new experiences which means these rad new places can thrive. 

Just thinking about it gets me really hyped up. Let’s get to some updates.


One of Many “Best Pizza in Pittsburgh” Discussions

I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff. And I found a Pittsburgh Podcast called “Is That Your Kid?” where they discuss pizza. I don’t think they always discuss pizza (or it’d be called “Is That Your Pizza?”), but in this episode the cast eats and argues about Fiori’s, Pizza Milano, Bet’s, Slice on Broadway and Giovanni’s. 

You can listen to that here. Being able to hear these discussions is important. It’s such a hot topic and there is no right answer, but being able to discuss the pros and cons for something as “simple” and “basic” as pizza helps you appreciate pizza on a whole other level. You’ll begin to notice the crust in unusual ways. And the cheese will seem different. And soon you’ll understand that sometimes it’s not about the quantity of pizza, but love and passion poured into each and every slice.


Portable Pizza Sure is All the Rage


This summer the concrete seas of Pittsburgh may be without our precious Pizza Boat, but it looks like there will be other portable pizzas around town.

Urban Pie is the newest addition to the fleet. They may be setting sail this May and they’re available for all your events that are in desperate needs of a pizza oven (which are all events).

Will they hit some choppy seas? Either way, it’s awesome to have more mobile pizza in the city. I’ll keep an eye on Urban Pie and update the site with any updates.


Slice on Broadway Recognized by the Pittsburgh City Council


Last week, Slice on Broadway was given their own day in Pittsburgh. For now on, every April 14 will be “Slice on Broadway Day” in Pittsburgh. And they deserve this and every award they receive. I spoke with Rico a few months back and he cares so deeply for his community. Plus, his pizza is out of this world.

Here’s a video I put together on Slice on Broadway.

Some Pizza Photos


I visited Pizza Taglio and Carhop’s pizza last week. Expect a full write-up later this week. In the mean time, here’s some photos to tide you over.

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Alright! That’s the second Pittsburgh Pizza Update. I’m working on some interviews, videos, and more which I’ll sprinkle into the website in the coming days. If you like what you read tell your friend! Tell your favorite message board! Tell a pizza shop! Or sign up for my pizza newsletter!

Gennaro's Pizza - A Saucy Late Night Shelter

Can you taste the difference of a slice of pizza when the moon dominates the sky? How about after drinking a few pitchers of Yuengling and would eat anything, even paper towels, to soak up the booze festering in your stomach? Gennaro’s, located in the South Side of Pittsburgh, is hoping your tastebuds are intoxicated when you bite into one of their slices.

But for being late (and desperate  I expected much worse.  There was a medium amount of cheese and a nice soft crust. A well-balanced combination that made this triangle perfect for the late night visit. There was the expected amount of grease, you know, just enough to line your throat but not enough to cause you to break out in acne.

Of course, getting the pizza is another thing. Behind the counter is a sour lady who earns her power from the grape lollipop lodged into her cheek. Her hot topic Mario Bros. t-shirt is a declaration of “hey, I’m cool.” A marketing ploy to attract the nostalgic customer? If not, it’s a great way to earn a few retro-tips.

Gennaro’s is decent for a slice. I was skeptical, but the softness of the crust combined with moderate cheese and non-offensive sauce made me a believer. It’s a pizza to respect. Now, enjoy a few slices of me and Christa eating some pizza.