And the onions! It's so weird to bite into a (plain, in my case) pizza that's kind of crunchy.
I agree, though, if you want to eat a slice of Old Forge-style pizza, you have to come in with an open mind. (I can't believe I was just that serious about pizza.)
It has onions in it. It's different, but isn't bad. It's also sold in, like, half slices.
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.
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.
you have to pretend it's not pizza, more like grilled cheese with tomato sauce - I'm pretty sure the cheese is some version of american...def not mozzarella
now i want to drive to PA and eat one.
That white pie looks awesome. And I'm strangely attracted to the red pie as well. Interesting that jpmcd says it's rarely ordered with toppings. Old Forgers are purists? I like that!
@jpmcd: I've been to Jigsy's a few time and have always gone with a plain pie (as I do at all pizza joints, actually). To be honest i've always found it a bit too boring without a topping. Like I said, it's great stuff but it runs the gamut from weird to awful to great depending on who you ask :)
i grew up in that area and my husband grew up in new york, but he LOVES old forge pizza - it is different, but delicious - and it's hard not to finish the whole tray! when we visit, we get one par-baked and then cook it up at home in the city until golden on top and crispy on the bottom YUM.
the pictures posted above are a bit misleading b/c it is usually eaten plain, no toppings, never saw pepperoni in my 15+ years there
you should try the pizza in old forge vs enola and have a taste of the real thing - revello's or aracaro & genell's
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.
Adam- I went last year. You and ed have to investigate. see my report from last august. www.chowhound.com/topics/305174
^ 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.
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!
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