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From Slice

Jigsy's: Old Forge–Style Pizza

I just ate here a couple of weeks ago, after spending the morning researching Pennsylvania pizzerias at the State Library in Harrisburg. At 3 p.m. on a Monday, I was the only person in the joint. Having grown up in Schuylkill County, I thought that perhaps Old Forge-style pizza was similar to that which was served in our school cafeterias. While the shape is similar, the answer is no. I liked the cheese and sauce on the red, but I found the crust to be too dry for my tastes. Guess I prefer my pizza Neapolitan-style.

brix11 at 11:32PM on 04/09/08

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

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From Slice

Jigsy's: Old Forge–Style Pizza

I just ate here a couple of weeks ago, after spending the morning researching Pennsylvania pizzerias at the State Library in Harrisburg. At 3 p.m. on a Monday, I was the only person in the joint. Having grown up in Schuylkill County, I thought that perhaps Old Forge-style pizza was similar to that which was served in our school cafeterias. While the shape is similar, the answer is no. I liked the cheese and sauce on the red, but I found the crust to be too dry for my tastes. Guess I prefer my pizza Neapolitan-style.

brix11 at 11:32PM on 04/09/08

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

From Slice

Old Forge, Pennsylvania: The Pizza Capital of the World

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

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