A nice little story on CNN about Old Forge, Pennsylvania, and its claim on being the "Pizza Capital of the World":
We head out of Scranton, Pennsylvania, toward Old Forge, population approximately 10,000. In about 10 minutes we're driving down Main Street. I start counting the pizza cafés, as they call them here: Rinaldi's, Brutico's, Arcaro & Genell's, Anthony's, Ghigiarelli's -- 11 on this street alone. Within just a few blocks, there are at least nine more. Even the florist on Main Street is called "Pizzazz."
With a population of 8,798 (June 2006), that's like one pizzeria for every 800 residents. In contrast, New York City (pop. 8,274,527; 2006 census), if you go by the oft-cited 3,000-some pizzerias estimate, would have one pizzeria for every 2,758 residents.
The story still doesn't answer the burning question: What exactly is Old Forge–style pizza? I think there needs to be a Slice field trip.
I used to live one town over, in Taylor, PA. Hated Old-Forge style pizza and was glad to get back to upstate New York where I could get something better. Still searching for great pizza now that I'm here in San Francisco...
I've heard its the greatest pizza ever. yeah yeah... but I still want to find out. I heard word from some old forge aficionados that teh places to go are "arcaro & genell" and Revellos. My next trip upstate I am going on an old forge food adventure.
Having eaten it more times than I care to remember, I would warn you that Old Forge pizza is basically Elio's Frozen Pizza. It has at least 3 cheese, including some yellow (american? velveeta? cheddar?) cheese mixed in. It's usually crustless and is served on plastic McDonalds-type trays.
^ Ellios = Old Forge Pizza? What did you do for a living? Fire eater? Do you have any taste buds left? The Wyoming Valle which contains the town of Old Forge, host some of the best pizza in the country . I've had pizza in NYC, NJ, Md. Fla. Ca. Nothing comes close. Its not only the square pizza thats great around here we also have the most variety of round pizza. I have friends and relatives all over this country and they all tell me theres nothing like our pizza. Anyone that says contrary are far and few between. Don't take ^ post serious as he must have a pizza shop in NYC.
I've had Old Forge Pizza before --- you need to go to the right places. Try Old Forge Pizza Express --- they're new but I had it the last time I was in town and it was fantastic. They sell it as a take and bake so you can make it in your home --- nothing like a hot pizza coming out of your oven.
I assume--but have not confirmed--that the state's oldest pizzerias are in Philly and Pittsburgh. However, outside these metropolitan areas, my sifting through old city directories in the State Library showed that Hazleton appears to have some of the earliest pizzerias. The three listed in 1948 (under bakeries, not restaurants) are Petruzzi's Home Delivery Pizzeria, Neapolitan Pizzeria and Tas-tee Pizzeria.
I am from Old Forge. Our Pizza is square, like a sicilian pizza. Its very delicious and nothing like Elios. People in California even have pizzas par-baked (partially baked) and shipped out so they can enjoy the finest pizza! I go back periodically and I always bring back trays (not pies, pies are round) for my family and friends down south. Everyone loves it! I have never heard a complaint! Also, Revello's has the best red pizza!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I was just in the area yesterday touring a college with my son and I forgot that Scranton was where it can be had. I've been wanting to try it since I read Adam's piece last year. Sorry I didn't come through for you, pizzaexpert. And I'm even more sorry I didn't get to try one of those pies.
Interesting thread going here. I've lived near Old Forge all my life and within Old Forge the past 4 years. I'm 3 blocks from the "Revello's" mentioned in several of the posts above. Yes, Old Forge is the self-proclaimed "Pizza Capitol of the World", and with good reason - there simply is good pizza to be had here. But as with anything, good is relative. If your favorite pizza is New York style, where you fold a thin slice in half and enjoy it as the grease rolls down your arm - then you probably won't find Old Forge style pizza to your liking. Old Forge Pizza is baked in a cookie sheet type pan, so it is "square" like sicilian pizza. But it's not as thick as sicilian pizza. But it is thicker than New York style round pizza. It also uses pure tomato sauce - so the tomato flavor is full. The sauce isn't spiced up with tons of seasonings. Another difference is the cheese. Most pizza places in Old Forge use a form of American cheese called Brick cheese. It adds a distinct flavor to the cheese. Between Revello's Rinaldi's, Arcaro & Genell, Brutico's, Salerno's Mary Ann's, Augustine's, etc. - the consistently best pizza here can be found at Ghiagerelli's - across the street from Revello's.
I just returned from trying Old Forge pizza in Old Forge itself, at a place called Gighiarelli's. There are two other places across the street from each other about half a block away. Friday night about 9pm, lots of cars parked near here, but when I went in, the place was deserted except for one couple. Bare walls, no menu, so the waitress comes up to us and asks, "do you want a tray?" I figured this meant pizza, but I asked if they had a menu, and the woman -with only a grunt- fetched a small placecard from another table. Spaghetti, meatballs, suasage and peppers, maybe some gnocchi too, as well as a few subs, but I got the impression nobody looks at these items. The other couple was eating only pizza. We went the simple route, no toppings.
The pizza is served on a rectangular tray and looks like it came out of an Easy Bake Oven. I am positive some folks would be shocked to see this being served, much less touted as a serious food.
I have to say that I fell in love with it. Despite the thick crust, it is airy and light and crispy on the bottom. The tomato sauce is oniony in an unusual and tangy way. The cheese is grainy. It is a large pizza, but is eaten quickly and easily because of the its lightness.
If you go, and I think you should, try to think of it as another food. One that is more enjoyable than 95% of other pizza out there if you are open to the experience.
Follow up on Old Forge Pizza: On my second attempt at eating Old Forge Pizza, I tried Ravello's, within a block from Gighiarelli's. The cheese is a cloying combination of Cheddar and American. Crust was heavy and leaden. The sauce retained the oniony tang from across the street. But this was a very different experience. Maybe the worst pizza I've ever had. If this had been my first experience eating Old Forge Pizza, it would have been my last.
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16 Comments:
Seems like this is a pretty good explanation:
http://www.stephencooks.com/2005/10/old_forge_white.html
jamesben4 at 2:57PM on 03/26/08
Thanks, Jamesben4! Alaina here in the Slice/Serious Eats offices just reminded me of this one, too:
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2008/01/a-list-of-regional-pizza-styles.html#99926
Adam Kuban at 3:10PM on 03/26/08
It has onions in it. It's different, but isn't bad. It's also sold in, like, half slices.
danielhall at 3:37PM on 03/26/08
I used to live one town over, in Taylor, PA. Hated Old-Forge style pizza and was glad to get back to upstate New York where I could get something better. Still searching for great pizza now that I'm here in San Francisco...
Captainfirst at 12:53AM on 03/27/08
I've heard its the greatest pizza ever. yeah yeah... but I still want to find out. I heard word from some old forge aficionados that teh places to go are "arcaro & genell" and Revellos. My next trip upstate I am going on an old forge food adventure.
jeffsayyes at 5:49PM on 03/29/08
Having eaten it more times than I care to remember, I would warn you that Old Forge pizza is basically Elio's Frozen Pizza. It has at least 3 cheese, including some yellow (american? velveeta? cheddar?) cheese mixed in. It's usually crustless and is served on plastic McDonalds-type trays.
Don't waste your time!
madonofrio at 5:57PM on 03/30/08
^ Ellios = Old Forge Pizza? What did you do for a living? Fire eater? Do you have any taste buds left? The Wyoming Valle which contains the town of Old Forge, host some of the best pizza in the country . I've had pizza in NYC, NJ, Md. Fla. Ca. Nothing comes close. Its not only the square pizza thats great around here we also have the most variety of round pizza. I have friends and relatives all over this country and they all tell me theres nothing like our pizza. Anyone that says contrary are far and few between. Don't take ^ post serious as he must have a pizza shop in NYC.
ou8it at 9:13PM on 04/02/08
Adam- I went last year. You and ed have to investigate. see my report from last august. www.chowhound.com/topics/305174
guttergour at 6:39PM on 04/05/08
I've had Old Forge Pizza before --- you need to go to the right places. Try Old Forge Pizza Express --- they're new but I had it the last time I was in town and it was fantastic. They sell it as a take and bake so you can make it in your home --- nothing like a hot pizza coming out of your oven.
chachi at 10:56PM on 04/05/08
I am researching a paper on Pennsylvania pizzerias inspired by an article I found linked from Slice:
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15036038&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=418218&rfi=6
I assume--but have not confirmed--that the state's oldest pizzerias are in Philly and Pittsburgh. However, outside these metropolitan areas, my sifting through old city directories in the State Library showed that Hazleton appears to have some of the earliest pizzerias. The three listed in 1948 (under bakeries, not restaurants) are Petruzzi's Home Delivery Pizzeria, Neapolitan Pizzeria and Tas-tee Pizzeria.
brix11 at 11:20PM on 04/09/08
I am from Old Forge. Our Pizza is square, like a sicilian pizza. Its very delicious and nothing like Elios. People in California even have pizzas par-baked (partially baked) and shipped out so they can enjoy the finest pizza! I go back periodically and I always bring back trays (not pies, pies are round) for my family and friends down south. Everyone loves it! I have never heard a complaint! Also, Revello's has the best red pizza!
God Bless!
HBP1297 at 5:50PM on 01/05/09
Someone just recommended that I review this place, but I am nowhere near the area, if someone happens to go here soon can they send me some photos?
pizzaexpert at 5:33PM on 03/21/09
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I was just in the area yesterday touring a college with my son and I forgot that Scranton was where it can be had. I've been wanting to try it since I read Adam's piece last year. Sorry I didn't come through for you, pizzaexpert. And I'm even more sorry I didn't get to try one of those pies.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 8:51AM on 03/22/09
Interesting thread going here. I've lived near Old Forge all my life and within Old Forge the past 4 years. I'm 3 blocks from the "Revello's" mentioned in several of the posts above. Yes, Old Forge is the self-proclaimed "Pizza Capitol of the World", and with good reason - there simply is good pizza to be had here. But as with anything, good is relative. If your favorite pizza is New York style, where you fold a thin slice in half and enjoy it as the grease rolls down your arm - then you probably won't find Old Forge style pizza to your liking. Old Forge Pizza is baked in a cookie sheet type pan, so it is "square" like sicilian pizza. But it's not as thick as sicilian pizza. But it is thicker than New York style round pizza. It also uses pure tomato sauce - so the tomato flavor is full. The sauce isn't spiced up with tons of seasonings. Another difference is the cheese. Most pizza places in Old Forge use a form of American cheese called Brick cheese. It adds a distinct flavor to the cheese. Between Revello's Rinaldi's, Arcaro & Genell, Brutico's, Salerno's Mary Ann's, Augustine's, etc. - the consistently best pizza here can be found at Ghiagerelli's - across the street from Revello's.
TheBoss646 at 3:15AM on 05/04/09
I just returned from trying Old Forge pizza in Old Forge itself, at a place called Gighiarelli's. There are two other places across the street from each other about half a block away. Friday night about 9pm, lots of cars parked near here, but when I went in, the place was deserted except for one couple. Bare walls, no menu, so the waitress comes up to us and asks, "do you want a tray?" I figured this meant pizza, but I asked if they had a menu, and the woman -with only a grunt- fetched a small placecard from another table. Spaghetti, meatballs, suasage and peppers, maybe some gnocchi too, as well as a few subs, but I got the impression nobody looks at these items. The other couple was eating only pizza. We went the simple route, no toppings.
The pizza is served on a rectangular tray and looks like it came out of an Easy Bake Oven. I am positive some folks would be shocked to see this being served, much less touted as a serious food.
I have to say that I fell in love with it. Despite the thick crust, it is airy and light and crispy on the bottom. The tomato sauce is oniony in an unusual and tangy way. The cheese is grainy. It is a large pizza, but is eaten quickly and easily because of the its lightness.
If you go, and I think you should, try to think of it as another food. One that is more enjoyable than 95% of other pizza out there if you are open to the experience.
Shelemm at 3:51PM on 07/17/09
Follow up on Old Forge Pizza: On my second attempt at eating Old Forge Pizza, I tried Ravello's, within a block from Gighiarelli's. The cheese is a cloying combination of Cheddar and American. Crust was heavy and leaden. The sauce retained the oniony tang from across the street. But this was a very different experience. Maybe the worst pizza I've ever had. If this had been my first experience eating Old Forge Pizza, it would have been my last.
Shelemm at 6:39PM on 08/31/09