Top 10 Places to get Pizza in the Burgh

We at PN@ love pizza more then any other food, after all both Snack and Diego are both partially Italian. Besides pizza and sports go along like peanut butter and jelly. We picked all our favorites from all around the city, so no matter where you are in Pittsburgh you can find some good ‘za. We realize that some of you don’t care about our opinions on pizza, and those of you who don’t can feel free to kiss our ass. So enjoy this week’s special bonus edition top 10 list and feel free to let us know your favorites….

10. Village Pizza- Shadyside, 810 Ivy St. 412-682-6878

You're drunk in Shadyside, it's 2 am, and you're hungry, what do you do? Look no further then Village Pizza, it is right off of Walnut, a short walk from most Shadyside bars. Not only does Village offer you single huge slices for a cheap price, but they also have cold 6 packs to go and a bar of their own. You also get to mingle with the other boozers at the bar - always a fun way to end your your night in Shadyside before you take it back to your crib for the late night...

9. Fuel and Fuddle/Joe Mama’s- Oakland, Oakland Ave. at Fobes Ave.

These two places are one in the same as they are not traditional pizza joints, but easily have the best pizza in Oakland. Diego is a Pitt graduate so he knows a thing or two about eating Oakland 'za. Both places feature individual sized pizzas that are cooked in a brick oven. Brick oven is old school, but Fuel and Fuddle adds a twist by offering a variety of themed pizzas including the big fat jerk, garlic portabella, and smashed potato. Diego’s personal favorite is the flying buffalo, a pizza topped with mozzarella, chicken, celery, homemade buffalo sauce, and sprinkled with bleu cheese or ranch.

8. Di Sallas Pizza Parlor- Homestead, 948 E 8th Ave 412-462-5070

Snack and Diego aren’t too familiar with this neck of the woods, so when we found Di Sallas pizza we were pleasantly surprised. Don’t make the mistake of ordering a whole pie here, unless you are trying to feed an army. Di Sallas makes large square pizza. So order it by the slice here. But don't forget the square pieces - the last thing you need is to go all the way through that Waterfront traffic and come back a few slices short.

7. Rialto Pizza- Greenfield, 623 Greenfield Ave. 412-421-2121

Rialto has been around in Greenfield for a pretty long time, and it just keeps getting bigger and better as the years pass by. Rialto’s menu is huge you can get anything from pierogis to gyros to Italian donuts (Rialto has it all). Rialto also messes with the specialty pizzas such as pierogi pizza, BBQ Chicken pizza, and cheeseburger pizza. However, their crowning achievement is the ranch steak/chicken ranch pizza. This is hands down the best specialty pizza of all time, consisting of ranch, mozzarella cheese, onions, french fries, ranch dressing, garlic sauce, and your choice of steak or chicken. If you never had this pizza before I suggest trying one ASAP. And make sure you visit the shop, so you can see our boy, The Danny "Tteado" Hahn in his natural element...

6. Napoli’s- Sq Hill, 2006 Murray Ave. 412-521-1744

The first of the big 3 pizza spots on Murray Avenue in Sq. Hill, Napoli’s has been a long time favorite of Snack and Diego. Unfortunately, they had a fire a few years back that destroyed half their shop, but now they are back to business as usual. Napoli’s has a nice variety of pizza, pasta, hoagies, and other items. The best thing about Napoli’s is their pepperonis. They use the small pepperoni’s that curl up when you cook 'em and they are awesome. If you're not in the mood for pizza check out their pepperoni calzone or chicken parmesan hoagie. Also, it’s the only shop in Sq. Hill that delivers.

5. Vincent’s Pizza- Forrest Hills, 998 Ardmore Blvd. 412-271-9181

Vincent’s, or Vinny pie, as it is also known, looks more like a truck stop then a pizza place really. It's not about the ambiance in this place though, its all about the pie. They will pile on fresh toppings to the sky at Vinny pie, as they definitely don’t get cheap with them. Owner Vincent Chianese has been known to chain smoke while making pizza’s, and he’s been at it for the last 50 years. Also, let me not forget about the waitresses here at V pie, they are not scared to get rude and ignorant with the customers - now that is my kind of place. This place might be a health inspector’s worst nightmare, but their pizza is fire.

4. Fiori’s Pizza- Brookline, 103 Capital Ave. 412-343-7788

Fiori’s has a unique pizza, and that is what makes it so good. Fiori’s is your typical mom and pop place located just off of Liberty Ave. in Brookline. Only problem with this place is that its usually packed, due to it's popularity. The thing that makes this pizza so good is the sauce; it is sweeter then your every day run of the mill pizza. Also, the crust is very tasty as well. All in all this place is worth checking out as it’s one of the best pizzas in the Burgh.

3. Mineo’s Pizza- Sq Hill, 2128 Murray Ave. 412-521-9864

Another Murray Ave. pizza place makes the list. Mineo’s is known for being greasy, and that is why we at PN@ love it. If you are one of those sissies who use a napkin to dry some of the grease off your pizza before you eat it, then stop reading here, and reevaluate your diet. Their pizza is great, especially the yellow crust. The best part about Mineo’s is that you can walk right in order an ‘extra’ and they will give you a pre-cooked pizza. You will be home 10 minutes later getting your grub on. If you are impatient eater, then this is should be where you get your pizza.

2. Aiello’s Pizza- Sq Hill, 2112 Murray Ave. 412-521-9973

This pizza might not be all that impressive to look at, but man does it taste it good. Aiello's has been around forever, and there is a good reason why, as it puts out a quality product that people keep coming back for. You can find owner Joe Aiello cooking pizzas almost everyday during the week, and trust us, he is a pro. Snack and Diego have been going there our whole lives, and we’ve never been disappointed. You can come into to Aiello’s and order slices ‘off the top’,from on top of the oven so they are luke warm and you don’t burn your mouth. You can order both red and white pizza ‘off the top’ which is excellent if you're in a hurry. And if you can’t finish the whole pie, have no fear, Aiello’s tastes just as good cold as it does warm.

1. Beto’s Pizza- Banksville, 1473 Banksville Rd. 412-561-0121

Again, Beto’s is one of those places where you don’t wanna order a whole pizza unless you're having a big party at your house, by the slice is the way to go here. There is one thing, and one thing only that makes this pizza stand out from any other place in Pittsburgh, and that's cold cheese. That’s right; Beto’s cooks its square pizza in the oven with little to no cheese on top of it. Once it is done baking they throw a ton of cold mozzarella on top of it. This has it's pros and cons. Con you have to eat the pizza there, if you wait till you get home it's not the same because all the cheese has already melted, and it's just like every other pizza out there. Pro it is the best pizza I ever tasted, some cheese melts, some remains cold and the combo is simply delicious.

Until lata...