Baranko’s Pizza is an exciting new startup in NEPA that began its journey in Nashville, TN. Owner Andrew Baranko and his sisters developed and refined the “Deli Style Pizza” recipe during the pandemic while living in Tennessee. After selling these unique cold pizzas to folks in The Volunteer State, Andrew moved back to Hazleton to launch the business in NEPA. He’s been operating out of the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator and working on scaling up the business ever since. The pizzas are sold to local mom and pop shops in Luzerne county who then sell to the public. Check with Baranko’s directly for an updated list of where to shop for this pizza!
Check out this article in the Standard Speaker for more background on Baranko’s journey!
Cold Pizza in a Box?
Cold Pizza is quite common in Northeast Pennsylvania with just about every major grocery store offering several brands. Hazleton has an even more rich tradition with what some call “cold cut box pitz.” Baranko’s version of the pizza is referred to as “Deli Style Pizza.” All three of these variations share the same elements: a soft spongy crust, pizza sauce, and cheese served cold in a cardboard box. The beauty of this style of pizza goes beyond just the convenience of grabbing a cold cut out of the box and munching away.
Baranko’s has taken the popular Hazleton pizza and put their own premium finishes on it as well as brought the super popular Philly Tomato Pie to NEPA where it is difficult to find. A few bakeries offer this saucy pizza with a sprinkle of Romano cheese sporadically, but there aren’t many options locally in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Why Baranko’s Stands Out
You will find my video review, written reviews, and pizza ratings below. I did want to offer that Baranko’s distinguishes itself from some other bakeries with their super light and airy dough. I understand that they allow the dough to rise for 48 hours prior to baking. This creates a lighter, more flavorful crust featuring larger air pockets in the crumb. Baranko’s also really focuses on making intensely flavorful sauces which really make a statement. As you can read below, the two distinctly different sauces used on these pizzas are quite memorable!
The Pizza Ratings
Restaurant: Baranko’s Pizza
Location:
Date: January 2023
Pizzas Reviewed: Deli Style Cheese Pizza and Philly Tomato Pie
Baranko’s Deli Style Cheese Pizza
Reviewing the “Deli Style” cheese pizza was quite a treat. After the first bite, my attention immediately went to the sauce which was quite robust and packed with an array of flavors. First came the sweetness – not a sugary sweetness, but a natural tasting tomato with some tang to boot. Then my taste buds were hit with some herbal notes followed by a hint of ever so slight heat. It was quite an interesting flavor adventure.
The sauce was so interesting that it took my focus away from the cheese which is an integral component that adds some sharpness and richness to the equation. The way it melts also adds some serious texture and crispness in some areas. It’s a very nice cheese blend that packs way more flavor than you’d think a cold pizza can provide. Overall, the super light crust and explosive flavorings of the crust make this a premium upgraded version of some of the pizzas I’ve tried from other bakeries.
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 7.8 |
| Sauce | 8.6 |
| Cheese | 7.5 |
| Taste | 7.7 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 7.6 |
| Value | 7.8 |
| Overall Rating | 7.9 |
The Pizza is Similar to: Carmen’s Bakery, Senape’s Bakery, Frankie’s Pizzeria
Baranko’s Philly Tomato Pie
Baranko’s Philly tomato pie features the same soft, tender, crust as the deli pizza. However, everything changes when it comes to the sauce, which is sweeter, smoother, and brings that Philadelphia vibe to Northeast Pennsylvania. I would absolutely describe the sauce as sweet, and similar in many ways to the Philly bakeries I have reviewed, but a bit more intense and complex. The sauce is a beautiful deep red and even has a little bit of a sheen to it. It’s layered on thick and you can see that layer distinctly when looking at the profile view of the crumb. On top a sprinkle of romano cheese provides some richness and flavor contrast. It’s a beautiful pizza to look at, and a great one to take to the office or to a party to share with others.
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 7.8 |
| Sauce | 8.4 |
| Cheese | N/A |
| Taste | 7.6 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 7.5 |
| Value | 7.8 |
| Overall Rating | 7.8 |
The Pizza is Similar to: Conshohocken Bakery, Corropolese Bakery, Collegeville Bakery, Carmella’s
