First Look: Leone's Pizza

As we have discovered, the area within and surrounding the city of Worthington is loaded with pizza options, from the old timers (Pizza House and Villa Nova, to name two) to the newcomers (Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza and Cincinnati-based Dewey's.) Some might say there's too much pizza available around this area compared to other options, but pizza lovers may consider that to be a sacrilegious notion.

You can now add Leone's Pizza to these throngs of pie makers and, based on our first tasting, this is one to keep an eye on.

Leone's Pizza opened last Friday in the old Pizza Mart space in Salem Village, As this was my first visit to this location, it was plainly obvious that this small space is geared more to takeout. However, they actually do a good job of stuffing in more tables and chairs than you think might fit within this eatery's footprint.

Takeout Pizza of the Month: Pizza House

Opened up in 1961, Columbus institution Pizza House keeps chugging
along in the somewhat hidden Salem Village neighborhood

Keeping with my intention to do a takeout pie/cold pizza test from a previously untried Columbus-area pizza place roughly once a month, my attention turned to a Columbus institution in the Salem Village-located Pizza House on East Lincoln Avenue.

Atmosphere: Established in 1961, Pizza House is considered a Columbus institution with its Columbus-styled thin-crusted, square-cut pizza. As I pulled in and tried to get a gander of the place, I quickly saw many people walking out of the carry out door with pizzas-to-go. Considering that this was later in the evening on a day I wouldn't expect a brisk takeout pizza business, I took this as a very good sign we would be getting something tasty soon.

Pizza House has two separate doors for carry out and for the main dining area. A quick glance at the main dining area in the carry out area showed this main dining space in all its 1960-era glass-block glory. The carry out area itself is visually interesting, with numerous media clippings touting Pizza House's great tasting pies as well as governmental proclamations congratulating the business on reaching their 50th anniversary. Other than pizza, Pizza House offers a variety of subs and sandwiches as well as Italian standards such as lasagna and ravioli. Gluten-free versions of their baked ravioli and small-sized (10") pizzas are also now available.

A peek at the glass-block nirvana that is Pizza House's dining room
plus some of the sights you'll see in their carryout area

Pizza (hot): We decided on our first visit here, we should go with the "pizza that started it all" and go with their "All The Way", basically a piled-high everything pizza with an option to use substitute their "old-world pepperoni" for their regular version (of course, we took this option.)

I noticed a good heft to the box when I carried it out of the restaurant, and we we got it home, we found that Pizza House wasn't kidding when they said "piled high." The old-world pepperoni provided a slightly different a slightly saltier and chewier profile than the typical variety.

The "All The Way" lived up to the name, full of delicious toppings

The pizza was plain and simply scrumptious, and the large size meant plenty of leftovers for the next day's lunch.

Pizza (cold): Pizza House's pizza isn't quite as enjoyable in its cold form compared to others I have had, I discovered. Nothing specific really (it wasn't like it was inedible) - perhaps it was the sheer level of toppings that hindered its cold pizza potential. Whatever the case, I think leftover slices of this pie are best popped in the oven for a good reheating.

Future Visits: Pizza House has definitely made our select consideration takeout pizza list, especially when we're not in the mood to think about it too hard, and definitely look forward to sampling their other pies.

Pizza House
747 E Lincoln Ave (North Side/Salem Village)
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 885-3121
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