REVIEW: Pizza Joe’s has hometown, mom-and-pop shop atmosphere with a New York City taste
While I was studying at Youngstown State University, there were many experiences and memories tied in with Mahoning Valley pizza.
During our late-night studying session before finals at our dormitory, we’d order the biggest chicken bacon ranch pizza pie on the menu and have it delivered from Belleria in Struthers. It was a huge hit on our floor and helped motivate us. During Saturday game-day practice with the YSU marching band, our director always provided amazing lunch and snacks for members and staff. I remember Saturdays gratefully eating multiple slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza in sheet pans from Wedgewood Fernando’s Pizza in preparation for the Penguins to take the field that afternoon.
First stop: trying Pizza Joe’s
Editor Chris Pugh wanted to try pizza from the Valley and at first I didn’t know which one to choose.
This week, we were interviewing the sports director at the Jewish Community Center on Gypsy Lane, right across the street from Pizza Joe’s, another favorite pizza shop my roommates and I would order from. I decided that’d be our first stop on the marvelous map of Mahoning Valley pizza. While we were walking in, I remembered why I like this place.
The Gypsy Lane location has a hometown, mom-and-pop shop atmosphere suitable for the many college students and adults working in the area far from where they grew up in need of something “homey.”
There’s art all over the walls, including a picture of the owner in caricature holding up a pizza and two kids in red aprons enjoying pizza on a lunch break. It’s right across the street from grocery stores and pharmacies on Belmont Avenue, making it a great place to grab a quick bite during a busy day.
We each got a ready-to-order pizza slice and a cold drink from Pizza Joe’s. When I bit into my favorite, a piece of the classic cheese pizza, the taste reminded me of my first trip to New York City I took last year.
The slice from Pizza Joe’s had that perfect level of gooiness from being warmed up just enough in the oven. It was the perfect dinner after spending the day interviewing vendors under the hot sun at the Columbiana County Fair and putting together a story on the art of pickleball.
Thanks for having us, Pizza Joe’s!
Let us know where we should go next for pizza by sending an email to news@mahoningmatters.com
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