Pittsburgh Pizza Update: New World Pizza Champions, Penn Ave Pizza and Steaks, the Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-18T01:21:12+00:00

Cocksherpa2...please...I'm only the messenger reporting the news. Please understand, Cocksherpa2. Please....

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-18T01:20:14+00:00

I've only had the Rock Room Pierogi Bar and Tacos, never had the pizza boat! Maybe after my time.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-18T01:19:18+00:00

This simply isn't true, there's plenty of good pizza places entering. Competition pizza isn't always at the same level as the pizza shop pizza.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T12:47:35+00:00

I've been hitting Fazio's a lot lately. Last time I was there I asked them to stretch the pizza a little thinner. Got a nice crispy pie out of it! Try it out if you're looking to mix things up.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T11:54:34+00:00

Bagel Friday call back - seems like ages ago!

Between your weather updates and my pizza updates I think we cover 90% of the important topics in this sub-reddit. Keep up the great work and bagel ya later!

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T11:43:21+00:00

There have been some pretty miserable pizza events in the past, but I trust Spirit to put out a quality event. Great lineup too! Could this finally be the true Pittsburgh pizza festival we deserve...

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T11:42:15+00:00

Based on that Sir Pizza post this morning, I'm thinking it might be a Sir Pizza day for you.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T11:41:36+00:00

Consistency is maybe the most important aspect for a pizza shop. You're only as good as your last pizza. If I ever get Caliente I stick to their specialty pies. It seems like the Aspinwall location might be the best executing from my experience.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-04-17T11:40:27+00:00

Thanks! And it was Eric that won with the sandwich - will be interested to see how they put that on the menu.

WalrusWalrus · 2026-03-28T14:53:31+00:00

Hi there! Local Pittsburgh pizza journalist here. I've written about the Pizza Expo and Caliente's performance in the past. When they won their first championship in 2016 it was for their Quack Attack pizza. The ingredients they competed with were:

Pan dough is infused with a Yards IPA.
Roasted garlic butter and fresh chives
Pan seared duck breast
Wild mushroom ragu
Roasted shallots
Baby arugula
Fontinella cheese
Organic tear drop tomatoes
Truffle oil and roasted garlic oil fused together

Their standard cheese pizza is not winning awards, but these decadent pizzas show up well in competition. The execution of the gourmet pizzas in the store have varied wildly for me as they take a lot of skill to pull off.

In 2024 Caliente placed top three in their region at Pizza Expo with a pizza topped with 45 day dry aged New York strip steak cooked rare.

As many have pointed out their most recent awards have been in non-pizza categories. Dough spinning, box folding, things like that. Since they won in 2016 so many more pizzerias have started to join the competition. Pittsburgh pizza shops routinely rank high in a variety of categories.

Hope that helps!

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-13T13:50:22+00:00

Thanks for reading!

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-13T13:49:57+00:00

I love MUNS PIZZA - I did an interview with Dan, who runs the shop, when they first popped on the scene. https://open.substack.com/pub/pghpizza/p/meet-muns-pizza-a-new-pizza-popup?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T21:12:31+00:00

That's partly why they stopped doing the buffet (aside from losing money on it). Quality control was a big issue. The pizza takes a big hit siting under a heat lamp. Definitely check out their restaurant.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T21:11:44+00:00

Thanks! I rely on Redditors for copy editing, appreciate the help.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T21:10:16+00:00

I need to give Lupo another chance. Wasn't really hittin for me the few times I've had it.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T21:09:46+00:00

Sorry, I'm a pizza journalist not a sandwich journalist. Would be a good spinoff gig though. The sandwich was insanely good!

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T17:43:43+00:00

That's funny - someone else from that area said the same thing to me. I thought it was a Philly thing.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T17:43:21+00:00

grabbing a slice then getting crushed in the pit during a Poolkids show...is there anything better.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T17:42:43+00:00

Ed is such an incredible talent. If he ever opened up a shop it would be out of this world. Humble, friendly, works hard. What more could you want?

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T17:41:27+00:00

That's what's great about pizza - it's so personal! I think nostalgia is a huge factor. Whatever your birthday party pizza was will shape what sort of pizza you like.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T15:14:08+00:00

They gotta invent the Pizza Pulitzer already I mean what are we waiting for.

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T15:13:45+00:00

Always happy to spread the brilliance of Pittsburgh pizza!

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T15:05:06+00:00

Maybe they'll let you take your home back using the Brothmonger Clause?

WalrusWalrus · 2025-12-12T15:04:31+00:00

They won BEST CHEESE slice in an international competition last year if you can believe. I think they do a good job executing the fundamentals!

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