O4W Pizza — Restaurant in Duluth

Newest Review - 5/9/23: Had them heat me up a slice today and, in addition, to the one I shared at the Duluth Art Festival on 4/30/23, I can finally say the O4W Pizza is back to being a 5 Star Pizza Joint. Not the same as a couple of years ago before it was sold, but really, really good. The crust is on point and of the same consistency as a good New York pizza. The sauce is pretty good and does the trick. And the toppings are very similar to what they had before. Give O4W Pizza a try again; you will be happily surprised.

New Review & Newer Owner: I dropped in for a heated slice (couldn’t commit to a whole pizza, considering how bad it was on my last visit 10 months ago) and I believe it’s under new ownership. 10 months ago, the original owners had sold to what I think were Eastern Europeans (they were white, but speaking a language closely resembling Russian). The great O4W pizza sauce was gone, the crust wasn’t good, there was a new Pepsi fountain machine with funky flavors, the old menu had been severely stripped down, and everything seemed to be broken. I’m happy to report that things are a lot better (although not nearly as good as it was with the original owners). The service was pleasant, efficient, and respectful. The slice I had was actually pretty good (although I prefer Grandma’s NY Pizza and Itala Pizza both in the Suwanee/Johns Creek area). The pizza sauce is still pretty blah, but the crust was much improved and the menu looks to be expanding. The soda fountain machine is now back to being Atlanta’s Coca-Cola. Yeah! Spanish is now spoken by the staff so I think the Eastern Europeans may have sold to Mexican-Americans or someone from Central America. I hope the pleasant guy that took my order and the two workers in the kitchen, along with the new owner, can make a go of it. That spot on Main Street, Duluth really deserves a good pizza joint.

From 10 Months Ago: Something has changed at my favorite pizza joint and it’s not good!! It may be new ownership. I don’t know. But there have been a lot changes. First, my Grandmother’s Pizza. I was shocked that the, now obviously not in-house mozzarella on the pizza, arrived ice-cold. When I told them it was cold and I wanted it heated, they said they put it on cold when the pizza is done. This was never the case. The crust is now thin and not chewy like it use to be. The best thing about the pizza, the sauce, now taste like it came out of a can. Save the $25. You can buy this kind of pizza at Lidl or ALDI if that’s what you like. And they made major changes to the menu, including adding vodka sauce pizza and getting rid of some great Italian sandwiches. They now have fountain sodas, instead of just cans. But it’s Pepsi and some knock-off brand I’ve never heard of. Talk about knock-offs. They’ve now got a music service that plays rock and pop hits by people that don’t even sound like the original artists. Fake! Finally, the old employees are all gone, including the cool young African-American men that use to make the pizza, while grooving to hip-hop tunes. I don’t know what happened to O4W Pizza, but if anyone finds out, let me know. I want it back!

Addendum: After looking a the other reviews, it seems that just in the past month the reviews have gone from excellent to poor. One reviewer even encounter that thing that I did, but failed to report that, cashier could barely understand English and take my order. The “owner” stated that they were having a hard time finding and training employees because of the pandemic, but I moved to Duluth in March 2020 when it all started and the food and service was fine until this visit. With all the changes, including new menu and new hours, I’m feel there has to be new owners that are cutting corners. Even the old paper menu at the counter is gone and you to use your QR reader for their new...

As someone who has eaten here for years I am disappointed that I even have to write this type of review.

On May 05, 2025 I walked into the restaurant for a pickup order as usual. When I gave my name to the man making the pizza, the woman at the front who did not greet me, snapped “It’s not ready yet.” Taken back by the immediate hostility I chose to wait outside on the bench for a few minutes. Within a few seconds, I heard the guy making the pizza say “You’re going to cost me a $5 tip to which she responded “It’s not even $5, it’s $4 something.” I walked back in because now I realize they are talking about the order I placed and would like to watch my food just in case something else happens. The lady snapped at me again saying the order isn’t done. I told her that it’s not a big deal. “I heard you and I don’t mind waiting but I feel I should be able to see my food being made since we are now discussing the tip.”

I take my food when it comes out and head home but something doesn’t feel right so I call the restaurant hoping there is manager I can speak to about the service I just received…. Unfortunately the same woman answered the phone and when I asked for the manager she tells me that the person making the pizza is “very much the owner and she is his wife.” I said “I see, so you’re the person I just dealt with, ok good to know.” She then says “Yea and we got your name too!” and hangs up on me. At this point, I call back and the woman says “You know what ma’am I’ll just refund your order and don’t ever order from us again!”

When I walk in to bring the pizza back and politely ask for the refund receipt for my own records and she starts yelling about who I should contact. I let her know that the way in which she has treated me is very rude and recount the call I just had with her. Thankfully there are other customers because it is at this point that she says while shaking the phone at me, “Ma’am if you don’t leave I am going to call police. In two seconds if you don’t get out of here.” I tell her if she needed the police here to help process a refund I will wait for them because I haven’t done anything that warrants calling the police. You can’t tell me what I’ve done wrong here except walk in here looking a little more brown than everyone else.” She responded “It’s just, it’s just your AGE!” I’m guessing she felt it’s better to age shame than to be outed as a racist. The lady then comes from behind the counter to physically escort me out because other people are noticing her behavior. The few customers that were there started to leave & one woman in particular stayed and called out the way I was being treated (to that young woman I truly thank you) and to ensure that when the police came, I had a witness.

Like a few of my colleagues who have had similar issues, I initially chose not return rather than leaving a review. However, this is something that needs to be immediately addressed. Weaponizing first responders after you’ve disrespected a black, brown or “youthful looking” customer is unconscionable. Duluth PD deserves more respect than being called to reinforce your bigotry and bad...

I drove over very concerned after reading the reviews but had already ordered. Did I just waste 70 hard earned dollars on mediocre pizza??? Would there even be a pizza waiting when I arrived? We really wanted something that can't be found in our rural south GA area!

If you aren't familiar with 04W's item restrictions, I suggest calling and not ordering online. 1. No items added to the Tony pepperoni (you will NOT miss them, I promise! It's a massive amount of 'roni!) 2. Only 2 items can be added to the Grandma pizza (I don't understand why not as it was good with extra garlic and fresh mozza but some mushrooms and spinach would have made it perfect!) 3. I'm sure there are more limitations, but only ordered two. Call your order in.

Upon entering, all doubts melted like hot cheese in a brick oven as the three guys were dancing while they cooked. In all my many travels, I've never, ever had bad food prepared with joy. The pies were ready, they looked amazing, the transaction went smoothly and back to the hotel laden with hot, garlicky goodness I went.

Take a towel or a large plastic bag to place your pizzas on so you don't mess up your car. Not sure how I'm going to get that pepperoni "juice" off the seat before we leave tomorrow.

The pies are large, gorgeous and very good! The Grandma is crunchy around the edges and soft towards the center, the pepperoni is thick cut, spicy and vibrant and the freshness of absolutely everything blends beautifully, but it's the sauce that blew up my tastebuds in delight. I want to just roll around in it and marinate for an hour. It's soooo smooth and not acidic at all!

So after indulging in way more pizza than we should have devoured in one meal, my honest rating is a 4. As delicious as Grandma was...something was just...missing and that matters when paying that much for just one. There was no oomph. None. (I'm editing to say...this pizza was better the next day. The flavors blended, the garlic seemed smoother and it actually improved. That sauce...still perfect.)

The Tony was a pepperoni lovers dream...edge to edge thick sliced, slightly spicy pepperoni, not the bland, thin slices you find at most places! The cheesy garlic bread was absolute heaven and everything about it was perfect. If you love cheese, this item is for you!

And now I need to go clean the car cushion....