10 Ohio Pizza Spots Locals Say Beat The Big Chains

Ohio is full of pizza joints that prove locals know best. These spots serve pies with perfectly baked crusts, rich sauces, and fresh toppings that rival any national chain.

Each restaurant has its own flair, turning every slice into a flavorful experience you won’t forget.

Whether you crave classic cheese or bold, inventive combinations, these local favorites show why Ohioans stick with hometown flavor over familiar brand names every single time.

1. Luigi’s Restaurant: Akron’s Pizza Royalty

Stepping into Luigi’s feels like traveling back to 1949 when they first opened their doors.

Cash only and no reservations are part of the charm at this Akron institution where the pizza recipe hasn’t changed in generations.

The thin crust pies come loaded with mountains of cheese that stretch for days. Regulars recommend ordering the salad with their famous homemade Italian dressing while waiting for your pizza masterpiece.

2. Wedgewood Pizza’s Old-World Magic

Family recipes straight from Italy make Wedgewood a Youngstown area legend since 1967. Their signature thick, square-cut style features a crispy bottom that somehow stays chewy inside.

The cheese blend is a closely guarded secret, but locals swear it’s what makes their pizza unforgettable.

With locations in Austintown, Boardman and Howland, this pizza institution often has lines out the door on Friday nights.

3. Il Rione Brings Neapolitan Perfection to Cleveland

Hidden in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, Il Rione crafts pizza that would make Italians weep with joy.

Wood-fired to bubbly perfection, their thin crust achieves that magical balance between charred and chewy.

The owners spent years perfecting their dough recipe before opening in 2017. What sets them apart?

Seasonal ingredients and restrained toppings that let each flavor shine without overwhelming the delicate crust.

4. Mama Santa’s: Little Italy’s Pizza Treasure

Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood has crowned Mama Santa’s its pizza queen since 1961.

Red checkered tablecloths and walls covered in old family photos create the perfect backdrop for their Sicilian-style creations.

The sauce recipe came straight from the old country, slightly sweet with hints of fresh herbs. Locals know to save room for the homemade cannoli, which many swear rivals anything you’d find in New York.

5. Old Scratch Pizza Fires Up Dayton

Communal tables and roaring wood-fired ovens create instant community at Old Scratch. Their sourdough crust, fermented for days, develops complex flavors you simply won’t find at chain pizzerias.

Founded by a chef with fine dining credentials, this Dayton hotspot elevates pizza while keeping prices reasonable.

The rotating craft beer selection perfectly complements their creative pies, like the crowd favorite “Holy Grail” topped with local honey and spicy sopressata.

6. Marion’s Piazza: Dayton’s Thin Crust Champion

Presidential visits and national awards haven’t changed Marion’s commitment to consistent quality since 1965. Their distinctive thin crust gets cut into tiny squares, known locally as “party cut” or “tavern style.”

Marion’s sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tangy, complementing rather than overwhelming the toppings.

With multiple locations around Dayton, locals debate which one is best, but all agree the original Piazza-style experience beats any national chain.

7. Tommy’s Pizza: Columbus’ Campus Legend

Generations of Ohio State students have stumbled into Tommy’s after midnight, creating lifelong pizza memories since 1952.

The Upper Arlington location might be quieter than the original campus spot, but the pizza remains gloriously unchanged.

Their unique approach includes cheese under the toppings AND on top, creating pockets of gooey perfection.

The slightly sweet sauce and medium-thick crust have converted countless Columbus residents into Tommy’s loyalists who return decades after graduation.

8. Rubino’s Pizza: Bexley’s Time Capsule

Walking into Rubino’s feels like entering a 1950s pizza parlor frozen in time. This cash-only Bexley institution still uses the original pizza ovens from when they opened in 1954.

Their cracker-thin crust somehow supports mountains of toppings without collapsing. Famous for their pepperoni that curls into little cups, collecting flavorful oil as it cooks.

The no-frills atmosphere only adds to the charm that keeps Columbus pizza lovers coming back decade after decade.

9. Taglio Serves Cincinnati Authentic Detroit Style

Blue steel pans imported from Detroit create the signature caramelized cheese edge that makes Taglio’s square pies legendary in Cincinnati.

The focaccia-like dough ferments for 24 hours, developing deep flavor before being loaded with toppings. Unlike chains that rush the process, Taglio embraces slow food principles.

Their “Cincinnati Style” pizza pays homage to local flavors with goetta sausage and a hint of Cincinnati-style chili spices that somehow works perfectly on pizza.

10. Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar: Toledo’s Crust Innovator

College friends turned their pizza obsession into Toledo’s most creative pie shop at Stubborn Brother.

Their signature move? A fermented sourdough crust with a touch of local honey that caramelizes beautifully in their stone ovens.

The relaxed vibe and craft beer selection make this the perfect spot to debate pizza philosophy with friends.

Don’t miss their seasonal specials featuring unexpected ingredients like roasted grapes or local corn that somehow make perfect sense once you taste them.