Mandy's Pizza - West View, PA

Mandy's Pizza is located on Route 19 in West View. This pizza shop was the second place winner in WPXI's best pizza contest this year. I was already in the area, so it was a good opportunity to give them a try.

The crust was slightly doughy on the inside and crisp on the outside. It was very flavorful and was cooked perfectly. The sauce was very flavorful and the amount used was perfect. It wasn't too sweet or too bitter. They used a very generous portion of an awesome cheese. They also sprinkle parmesan under the cheese topping (or mix with their sauce.) I really enjoyed this pizza. It is one of the better ones I have had. I would highly recommend this shop and will go back when I'm in the area.

          Crust: 8.5/10
          Sauce: 8.5/10
          Toppings: 8.5/10
          Overall: 8.5/10

Frank's Pizza and Chicken - Ross Township, PA

A friend of mine had suggested the buffalo chicken pizza from Frank's Pizza and Chicken. They claimed it was great, so I was eager to try it. Frank's has four area locations. This pizza was obtained from the Frank's on Rochester Road in Ross.

The crust was well cooked and flavorful. It was slightly doughy, which was not a problem. The sauce on this pizza was strictly buffalo sauce and it came with a generous serving of ranch for dipping. This ranch dipping sauce was one of the best ranch sauces I have ever had. This pizza's sauce was not overly hot and was flavorful. They were generous with very tasty cheese and chicken breast chunks. Overall, this was a great pizza and I look forward to having it again!

          Crust: 8/10
          Sauce: 8.5/10
          Toppings: 8.5/10
          Overall: 8.5/10

Ephesus Mediterranean Kitchen - Aspinwall, PA

Ephesus Mediterranean Kitchen is located on Freeport Road in Aspinwall. I had received several copies of their menu in the mail and noticed in addition to "Mediterranean" foods, they also had a full line of pizza shop fare. I wanted to try a new pizza, so I called and ordered an extra large plain.

There was nothing great about this pizza. The crust was your average crust. It was cooked well and had some flavor. The sauce was a little on the bland side but they did use an appropriate amount of it. The cheese was your standard pizza shop cheese, which they were fairly generous with. The pizza at Ephesus was yet another standard Pittsburgh Pizza. If they had a good special I might try it again with some toppings, but it is not the best pizza in Pittsburgh. The search continues!

          Crust: 6/10
          Sauce: 6/10
          Toppings: 6/10
          Overall: 6/10

Napoli Pizza - Monroeville, PA

Napoli Pizza is located in the Miracle Mile Shopping Center on William Penn Highway in Monroeville. I was doing some shopping in the area and wanted to try a new pizza.

The crust was the best part of this pizza. It had some flavor to it and was cooked well. The sauce was on the bland side and they apply is very lightly. The cheese tasted fine but there could have been more of it. Overall, this pizza was decent. I would never go out of my way for it and I am sure there are better places in the area. It was your basic "Pittsburgh Pizza."


          Crust: 6.5/10
          Sauce: 6/10
          Toppings: 6/10
          Overall: 6/10

Perry Di Pizzaman - New Kensington, PA

Perry Di Pizzaman is located on 5th Avenue in New Kensington. This pizza shop was recomnended to me by a co-worker. He did warn me that I might not like it, but it was what he grew up eating so he will always be a fan.

The crust was not flavorful and very spongy. It seemed as if it could have been cooked longer, but if that were to happen then the cheese would have been burnt. The sauce had a slightly sweet flavor and was average at best, yet it was probably the best part of the pizza. The cheese was plentiful and tasted fine, but it may have been better if it had not been overcooked. Overall, the pizza was edible and I guess if it were my neighborhood pizza shop and I wanted something delivered I might order again, but I would never go out of my way as it was just an average Pittsburgh pizza.


          Crust: 4.5/10
          Sauce: 5.5/10
          Toppings: 4.5/10
          Overall: 5/10

Carnivores - Oakmont, PA

Carnivores, which is located on Allegheny Ave. in Oakmont, is not a pizza shop but a sports bar that happens to sell pizza.  I had had their pizza once in the past so I knew it wasn't terrible so I figured I would review it.

The crust was thicker and doughy and could have been cooked slightly longer. The crust was the worst part of the pizza. The sauce was flavorful and they used a proper amount of it. The cheese tasted good but there could have been a little bit more. Overall, this pizza was mediocre at best. Carnivores has good sandwiches so I would go back for one of them but not for their pizza.


          Crust: 5/10
          Sauce: 6.5/10
          Toppings: 5.5/10
          Overall: 5.5/10

Pittsburgh Pizza Grill - Sharpsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Pizza Grill is located on Main Street in Sharpsburg. It was previously known as Little Chicago's Pizzeria. I had reviewed Little Chicago's deep dish Chicago style pizza last year and did not care for it. I am not sure if this shop has the same owner or what but I figured I would try their traditional style pizza.

The crust was thicker under the toppings than I prefer but did have some flavor to it. The sauce was about average and they used a proper amount of it. The cheese was pretty good and there was a nice amount. Overall this pizza was slightly above average but nothing special. I would eat here again if they had some good specials or coupons but there are better places within a mile or two of them.


          Crust: 6/10
          Sauce: 6/10
          Toppings: 7/10
          Overall: 6.5/10