Your Local Guide to Celebrating National Pizza Day

PHOTO COURTESY OF F&F PIZZERIA

Monday, Feb. 9 is National Pizza Day. Whether you eat a leftover slice from your Super Bowl party or order a fresh pie for the occasion, Pittsburgh has a lot of places dedicated to this saucy form of sustenance.

In case you’re sticking to your “no carbs” New Year’s resolution, there are other pizza-related holidays throughout the year for when you fall off the wagon, including National Deep Dish Pizza Day on April 5, National Pizza Party Day on May 15, National Cheese Pizza Day on Sept. 5 and National Pepperoni Pizza Day on September 20. October is National Pizza Month.

Before you and your calendar fill up, here’s some local pizza news to chew on:

In 2018, when Driftwood Oven opened its brick-and-mortar eatery at 3615 Butler St. in Lower Lawrenceville, Bon Appétit magazine named it one of America’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants. All kinds of publications — including this one — have been heaping praise upon it ever since.

Now, the venerable pizza spot is getting a makeover. Even during construction, you can stop by to order a scratch-made, sourdough pie and get a sneak peek at what Chef Neil Blazin’s got cookin’ with the decor.

PHOTO BY RYAN MICHAEL

Spirit, another Lawrenceville stalwart, unveiled its overhauled digs last November. Upgrades to the former Moose Lodge on 51st Street include the expansion of Spirit Pizzeria, which now has an entrance separate from the venue’s performance and event spaces.

In addition to pizza, the menu includes pasta, desserts and salads. A handful of lucky folks got to experience the rooftop Spirit Garden Bar before the winter chill shut it down for the season, but a grand re-opening party will take place this spring. That’s something to look forward to when you’re knee-deep in snow and in need of a cocktail.

This March, Pizzaiolo Primo is slated to open its third location in the former Atria’s space at 4869 William Penn Highway in Murrysville. A wood-fired oven is en route from Italy. In the meantime, the company’s busy hand-crafting Neapolitan cuisine in Market Square and South Fayette.

PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Mineo’s long-awaited third location has finally taken off at Pittsburgh International Airport, while fellow Squirrel Hill pizza slingers, Aiello’s, recently remodeled a corner of its shop with an original booth and neon sign circa 1978. I can’t wait to experience what it was like to eat pizza the year I was born!

Last fall, renowned New York chefs Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo opened F&F Pizzeria in Mt. Lebanon. The Beverly Road space underwent so many renovations, you’d never know it was the former Bado’s Pizza Grille & Ale House.

Other newcomers to the slice scene include another Mt. Lebanon eatery, La Vera Brooklyn Pizzeria, and Cork & Crust inside the Oaklander Hotel in Oakland.

For the first time in seven years, the Baden Pizza Hut offers dine-in service. If you grew up in the ‘80s during Pizza Hut’s heyday, the retro vibe will send you back to a simpler time.

At least once a month, I down nostalgic pizza squares at Sir Pizza in Ross, where I was basically born and raised. La Grassa Pizza also serves squares and is opening a corner spot at 5336 Butler St in Lawrenceville.  If you’re more into rectangular meals, try Trio’s French Bread Pizza in McKeesport.

PHOTOS BY JULIE KAHLBAUGH COURTESY OF ALBERTA’S PIZZA.

Off the top of my head (which is 90 percent pepperoni at this point), my other favorites include Alberta’s Pizzeria in Allegheny West, Rockaway in Regent Square, the legendary Fiori’s Pizzaria, Alta Via Pizzeria in Bakery Square and its Larimer neighbor, East End Chewing, cleverly located inside of East End Brewing.

There’s also some roving pizza purveyors I’d follow to the ends of the earth, including Side Hustle Pizza (operated by the folks who run meal delivery service Chip and Kale), Muns Pizza (look for a brick-and-mortar soon on the North Side), Fireside Pizza Co. (out-of-this-world offerings), No Horns Pizza (which I first experienced on Devil’s Night), and ‘77 Club (they also make one hell of a pizza sandwich).