This Dayton, Ohio Restaurant Has Been Winning Hearts With Italian-American Classics Since 1971
I’ve eaten my fair share of pizza across Ohio, and I can confidently say that some slices just stick with you. The kind where the cheese stretches perfectly, the crust has that ideal crisp-to-soft ratio, and every bite tastes like someone actually cares about what they’re serving.
That’s exactly what I found at a downtown pizzeria that’s been hand-tossing dough and folding New York-style slices since the Reagan administration.
What started as a family dream decades ago has grown into a beloved institution where regulars are greeted like old friends and newcomers are treated like family from the moment they walk through the door.
The pizza speaks for itself, but the story behind it makes every slice taste even better.
A Family Tradition That Started in 1971
The original Flying Pizza opened its doors in 1971. That’s over five decades of pizza-making expertise passed down through generations.
What began with Pop has continued through his sons Frankie and Anthony, who still run the operation today.
Walking into their downtown location feels like stepping into a slice of New York right here in Ohio. The family hasn’t just maintained the business.
They’ve preserved an authentic pizza-making tradition that’s increasingly rare in our franchise-dominated world.
You can watch them hand-toss dough right in front of you while you wait, just like pizzerias did it half a century ago. The dedication to doing things the old-fashioned way shows in every perfectly crafted pie.
This isn’t some corporate operation following a manual. It’s a genuine family legacy where the owners know their regulars by name and remember their favorite orders.
That personal touch makes all the difference when you’re trying to create something truly memorable at 223 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402.
Hand-Tossed New York Style Done Right
Watching the team work is half the experience. They make the dough fresh on-site every day, and they’re not shy about showing off their skills.
The hand-tossing happens right where you can see it, spinning and stretching until the dough reaches that perfect thinness. This is authentic New York-style pizza, which means it’s meant to be folded.
The crust achieves something magical. It’s crispy on the bottom with just the right amount of char, yet soft and pliable toward the top.
That contrast in texture is what separates real New York pizza from the imitators.
I’ve had plenty of pizza that claims to be New York-style, but this is the real deal. The dough has that characteristic chew without being tough or rubbery.
What impressed me most was the consistency. Every slice I tried had that same perfect structure.
The bottom held up without getting soggy, even when loaded with toppings.
You can grab a slice and fold it lengthwise, just like you would on a Manhattan street corner. That’s the hallmark of properly made New York pizza, and they’ve mastered it completely.
Thick Pepperoni and Quality Ingredients
The pepperoni at this place deserves its own paragraph. Forget those thin, sad circles you get at chain restaurants.
These are thick, flavorful slices that cup up beautifully when they hit the oven’s heat. Each one becomes a tiny vessel of seasoned, slightly crispy goodness that adds serious flavor to every bite.
One visitor mentioned that the quality of ingredients is immediately obvious, and I couldn’t agree more. The cheese stretches in those long, satisfying pulls that make you want to take a photo before your first bite.
The sauce hits the right balance between tangy and sweet without being overpowering. It’s clear they’re not cutting corners with cheap, chemical-filled ingredients.
Everything tastes fresh and purposeful, from the hand-made dough to the toppings. You’re paying a bit more than you would at a franchise, but you’re getting real ingredients prepared with care.
The difference is noticeable from the first bite. This is pizza made with the kind of attention to quality that you’d expect from a family that’s been perfecting their craft for over fifty years in the heart of downtown.
The Sicilian Option
Beyond their famous New York-style slices, they also serve Sicilian pizza that’s worth your attention. The description mentions both styles, and regulars seem to have strong opinions about which they prefer.
Sicilian pizza is a different animal entirely. It’s thicker, with a focaccia-like crust that’s airy inside but develops a beautiful crisp on the bottom.
The square slices are substantial, and the ratio of bread to toppings shifts in a way that some people absolutely love. One visitor specifically called out the Sicilian as their favorite, paired with red pepper for an extra kick.
I appreciate that they offer both options because it shows they’re committed to representing different regional Italian-American pizza traditions authentically. Not every pizzeria bothers with Sicilian, especially when they’re already known for their New York-style.
The fact that they’re making both styles well speaks to their versatility and skill. If you’re the kind of person who prefers a heartier, bread-forward pizza experience, the Sicilian might become your go-to order.
Either way, you’re getting pizza made with the same care and quality ingredients that define everything they serve.
Service That Treats You Like Family
Good pizza matters, but great service turns a meal into an experience you want to repeat. Multiple reviews mentioned Jackson by name, praising his welcoming attitude and top-notch service.
That kind of individual recognition tells you something important about how this place operates. The staff doesn’t just take orders and hand over food.
They create an atmosphere where people feel genuinely welcomed. One person described it perfectly by saying that if you’re new, they treat you like a regular, and if you’re a regular, they treat you like family.
That’s not something you can fake or train into people. It comes from a culture that the owners have cultivated over decades.
I noticed it myself during my visit. There’s a warmth and authenticity in how they interact with customers that you simply don’t find at corporate chains.
They’re appreciative of your business without being overly formal or scripted about it. The friendly, family-oriented vibe extends from the owners down through every team member.
It’s the kind of place where they might remember your order after just a couple of visits, and that personal connection keeps people coming back for years.
Downtown Dayton Location and Atmosphere
The setting is as unpretentious as it gets. This isn’t a place trying to impress you with fancy decor or trendy industrial design.
It’s a no-frills space that focuses entirely on what matters: great pizza and genuine hospitality. One visitor compared it to what you’d expect from a pizzeria in lower Manhattan, and that description is spot-on.
The atmosphere is quaint and authentic, exactly what a real neighborhood pizza joint should feel like. You’re not paying for expensive overhead reflected in inflated prices.
You’re getting a clean, well-maintained space where the focus stays on the food and the people. Being located in downtown Dayton means it’s perfectly positioned for a quick lunch during the workday or a casual dinner.
The location has character, and it feels like a genuine part of the community rather than some transplanted concept. I appreciate places that don’t try to be something they’re not.
This pizzeria knows exactly what it is: a family-owned operation serving authentic New York and Sicilian pizza in a straightforward, welcoming environment. That honesty and simplicity are refreshing in a world full of over-designed, over-hyped restaurants.
Pricing and Value Considerations
Honesty matters, so let’s talk about cost. A regular slice runs between five and six dollars, and the standard two slices plus a drink combo comes out to over fifteen dollars.
That’s more expensive than getting a whole pie from a franchise with the right deal. Some visitors mentioned this as a drawback, and it’s a fair observation.
However, you need to consider what you’re actually paying for. This is a family-owned business that’s been serving the community for over fifty years, making dough fresh daily with quality ingredients.
You’re not eating chemical-filled franchise pizza. You’re getting hand-tossed, made-to-order slices with thick, flavorful pepperoni and real cheese that stretches like it should.
The ingredients cost more because they’re better. The labor costs more because skilled people are making your food from scratch.
One passionate visitor put it perfectly: you can stick with your chemical-filled franchise pizza, but they’re choosing traditional homemade pizza with real ingredients. I understand budget concerns, but quality has a price.
If you want cheap eats, there are plenty of options. If you want authentic, well-made pizza from people who genuinely care, this is worth every dollar.
What to Order and When to Visit
Plain cheese pizza gets the highest praise from long-time fans. One person who’s been eating here for 53 years said the cheese pizza doesn’t need anything else to make it great.
That’s a strong endorsement, and it makes sense. When a pizzeria nails the basics, you don’t need to hide behind a mountain of toppings.
The homemade meatballs sliced and placed on top are another favorite worth trying. Multiple people called them out specifically as exceptional.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 7 PM, and they’re closed Sundays.
Lunchtime gets busy with the downtown work crowd, so plan accordingly.
Two slices will fill you up, according to multiple visitors, so don’t feel like you need to over-order. The portions are generous and satisfying.
Skip the breadsticks based on one honest review that found them bland. Stick with what they do best: pizza.
If you’re trying it for the first time, I’d recommend starting with a plain cheese slice to appreciate the quality of their crust, sauce, and cheese. Then branch out to pepperoni or meatball on your next visit.
Why It Matters After All These Years
Places like this are becoming endangered species in American cities. Family-owned businesses that have survived for five decades deserve our support and appreciation.
They’ve outlasted countless trends, economic downturns, and the relentless expansion of chain restaurants. They’ve done it by refusing to compromise on quality or authenticity.
Every time you choose to eat here instead of a franchise, you’re supporting real people who’ve dedicated their lives to their craft. You’re keeping a genuine piece of culinary tradition alive in downtown Dayton.
The pizza is excellent, but the story behind it adds meaning to every bite. This is what community tastes like.
It’s hand-tossed dough made by people who learned from their father, served by staff who genuinely care whether you enjoyed your meal. It’s consistency and quality maintained across decades, not quarters.
The owners could have sold out or cut corners a hundred times over the years. Instead, they kept making pizza the right way, with real ingredients and real care.
That kind of integrity is rare and precious. Next time you’re craving pizza in Ohio, make the drive downtown and taste the difference that five decades of family pride makes.