Original Hometown Pizza — Restaurant in Moon Township

Original Hometown Pizza -Extra pepperoni, half sausage(I respect the bulk raw sausage, just wish it was hot italian) -Garlic Lemon Pepper wings

In the extremely flooded pizza market of the 15108, my #1 will always be Original Hometown Pizza! How flooded?, I'll tell ya later. I've been eating this pizza since 1998 or earlier, when it was just a football field away from my residence. Pretty sure he put 4 Star pizza out of business for good in Moon. Mark Latvala, still at the helm today, opened that first spot in a former Subway location. He then moved into a former Dunkin, then a former Taco Bell, and finally to the Fern Hollow Plaza. Wild ride, right? And, yes the Dunkin was an all wood an orange motif, and the Tbell furniture had the purple, teal, and white colorway that they are currently pushing.

Mark ended there at the plaza, what seemed to be for good. Maybe 2017-2020, don't @ me if I'm wrong. Fast forward to post pandemic. Some jag opened up a "Hometown Pizza"(at a former Quizno's). With the red & yellow signage and all! The moniker soon changed to "Bruno's Hometown Pizza". He was a FRAUD! I can only assume Mark came out of retirement to save the reputation of Hometown! Hence the "Originial" addition.

IkIk, tldr... im storytellin to pass the time during this Tyson v Paul lead-up.

When I said this market was flooded, I really meant it. Here is a list of places I can actually call for delivery:

Hometown Bambino's(open til 2a.m.) Angelia's Cardello's Pizza Bella Anthony JR's Sauce Pot Pizza Decasa(fmr: Htown plaza location) Pizza Fiesta(fmr: Roma, Joe & Pie, Eataly) Zuko's Nicco's Scooch's(once) Pizza Milano Pizza Hut Domino's(Crafton Ingram location used to deliver to Moon until after 3 a.m., back in the early teens) Vocelli(never in a million years! My heart is with Pizza Outlet)

Disgusting isn't it? This does not include places who could, but do not...

Ok so I have to be honest. From looking at the place from the outside I was not impressed and thought to myself , “your by yourself so how bad could it be, besides I was only a little hungry.” I walked in from the side door and there was a desk or 2 with paperwork on them, again certainly not trying to impress me. As I stood at the front counter there was a sauce stained menu and I grabbed it looking at it they had a 12” and I think 18” on the menu. I noticed they had sandwiches on the menu and before I could ask about them I was quickly informed that they just had the appetizers and pizza. Well that blew my idea of just grabbing a hoagie and leaving. I ordered a 12” with extra cheese, pepperoni and sausage. Was told it would be 10-15 minutes- no problem. Fast forward-pizza is now done, I get a drink and proceed to a table, plastic utensils and napkins in hand I sit down. I open the box and it is so hot I can’t touch it, the smell was killing me. It smelt great and looked even better. I started with small cut pieces and couldn’t stop. I don’t like crust however let me tell you the burnt cheese on there homemade crust was delicious. Before I knew it I had eaten half a 12” pizza and could have had another piece or 2 but decided to take some home.

If you have never eaten here I highly suggest you get past the appearance and give it a try, you will not be disappointed if your pizza is half as good as mine you will love it.

It’s the following day and I am having a couple more pieces for my lunch and it is as good as yesterday.

Give this business a chance, they deserve it

Jeff Haggerty Haggertys Rides Full...

I am an original Brooklynite, transplanted to Pittsburgh area. I’ve been looking for pizza that is New York style. I tried Anthony’s Coal Fired, Aroma, as well as other so called pizzerias. They were all Yuck…serving flat bread w cheese and tomato sauce. I finally found what I’ve been looking for in Original Hometown Pizza. Be forewarned, the place looks run down. The decor is a nightmare from the 1970’s, with little cartoon pizza slices on the windows. It was skeptical upon entry.

Was I wrong! The hand tossed pizza is spot on. The crust was thin, but had bite. The fold was perfect. Mozzarella coverage was just right and moreover, the sauce was authentic. The crust was crunchy, but not dry. My only grip was that the bottom should have a thin layer of olive oil but as the owner told me, “we used stone but aluminum pans to cook the pie.” The stone would be ruined with the oil. If you bring the pie home and find the crust has lost its crunch, lightly heat it in a pan with a small dab of olive oil; perfection.

The price was a bit higher than I’d expect from the decor, but you can play a free game of PacMan as you wait for the pie. Nostalgia city! Overall, I am happy to find this pizzeria in the culinary desert of Pittsburgh. I know that I haven’t discussed pizzerias in Pittsburgh proper but I live west of the burgh and needed to find a joint near home. Original Hometown Pizza fits the...