Nardozzi’s Pizza Review: The Dunmore Classic That Locals Said I Had to Try
Some pizza reviews happen because a place is trending.
Others happen because people won’t stop reminding you.
For years, the employees at the UPS Stores in Dunmore and Clarks Summit have been busting my chops every time I walked through the door.
“You still haven’t reviewed Nardozzi’s?”
“You call yourself a pizza reviewer?”
“You can’t be credible until you review Nardozzi’s.”
Now, to be fair, I had eaten Nardozzi’s before at parties and gatherings over the years. But I had never sat down with a fresh pizza and given it the full NEPA Pizza Review treatment.
So this review was for them.
And because of that, I started filming across the street from Nardozzi’s in the Dunmore UPS Store parking lot before heading over to finally check this one off the list.
A Historic Fixture on Blakely Street
Located on Blakely Street right in the heart of Dunmore, Nardozzi’s has been serving pizza for decades and remains one of the area’s most recognizable neighborhood pizza shops.
The shop itself is small, old-school, and full of character.
One of the coolest things about visiting is that you can actually watch the pizzas being made through the front window. From the sidewalk, customers can see the entire process unfold, which gives the place a charm that feels increasingly rare.
The crew couldn’t have been friendlier. Everyone greeted me when I walked in, and the atmosphere felt exactly like what you’d hope for from a longtime family-run neighborhood pizza shop.
Not to Be Confused with Nardozzo’s
One of the questions I hear all the time is whether Nardozzi’s in Dunmore is related to Nardozzo’s in Nanticoke.
The answer is no.
While both pizzerias feature sauce applied on top of the cheese and share some visual similarities, they’re very different pizzas.
Nardozzo’s is known for a sweeter, more savory sauce profile. Nardozzi’s, on the other hand, delivers a brighter tomato flavor with more acidity and a stronger Italian herb presence.
Both are distinctly Northeastern Pennsylvania pizzas, but they take very different approaches to get there.
The Signature Nardozzi’s Pizza
The traditional Nardozzi’s pizza immediately stands out from the crowd.
The dough appears to be a lower-hydration dough that is run through a dough sheeter and rolled very thin before baking.
After stretching, a generous layer of cheese is applied directly to the dough. Then comes the part that makes Nardozzi’s instantly recognizable.
Using a spoon, the sauce is carefully applied on top of the cheese in a distinctive pattern. A circular ring wraps around the outer edge while stripes run through the center.
It’s a look that has become part of the pizza’s identity and one that locals instantly recognize.
Watching the sauce being applied was almost artistic. There’s a rhythm and precision to it that comes from years of repetition.
How It Tastes
The first thing I noticed was just how much cheese they use.
While watching pizzas being made, I couldn’t help but notice that the amount of cheese being applied was comparable to what many pizzerias would consider an extra-cheese New York-style pizza.
The result is a surprisingly heavy slice for its size.
The crust delivered two distinct textures. The outer edge was nicely crisp with a pleasant crunch, while the center remained chewier and slightly softer. There was a little bit of flop, but enough structure remained to support the generous amount of cheese.
As for the sauce, it became the star of the show.
Bright tomato flavor, noticeable herbs, and a punchy character made it the dominant flavor component on the pizza. If you’re someone who enjoys a sauce-forward slice, Nardozzi’s definitely delivers.
Round Cheese Pizza Score
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 7.2 |
| Sauce | 7.3 |
| Cheese | 7.6 |
| Taste | 7.4 |
| Crispy/Cooked | 7.4 |
| Value | 7.8 |
| Overall | 7.4 |
Pizza is Similar to: Nardozzo’s, Wicked Mushroom, Angelo’s
The traditional Nardozzi’s pie is all about the sauce-forward experience. The unique sauce-on-top presentation gives the pizza a distinctive look and allows the bright tomato flavor and Italian herbs to take center stage. Combined with the generous amount of cheese and crispy outer crust, it’s easy to see why this style has remained a Dunmore favorite for generations.
The Surprise New York Style Slice
Although I paid for a traditional pizza, the staff insisted I also try their New York-style slice.
I’m glad they did.
The New York pizza uses many of the same ingredients but creates a completely different eating experience.
The crust is stretched thinner and appears to be baked on a screen. There was plenty of flop, but the slice remained enjoyable and easy to fold.
What surprised me most was how the flavor balance changed.
With the sauce beneath the cheese instead of sitting on top, the generously appliedcheese became the focal point. The sauce seemed more restrained and balanced, allowing the richness of the cheese to shine.
While I found myself enjoying that flavor balance, it was clear that this pizza was trying to accomplish something different than the signature Nardozzi’s pie.
New York Style Pizza Score
| Category | Score |
| Crust | 6.8 |
| Sauce | 7.5 |
| Cheese | 7.7 |
| Taste | 7.6 |
| Crispy/Cooked | 6.9 |
| Value | 7.8 |
| Overall | 7.4 |
While the New York-style slice finished with the same overall score, it arrived there differently. With the sauce underneath the cheese, the flavor balance shifts and allows the cheese to become the star of the show. The result is a pizza that tastes very different from the traditional pie despite sharing many of the same ingredients.
Both pizzas landed at an overall score of 7.4, but they got there in different ways. The round cheese pizza felt more unique and signature to Nardozzi’s, while the New York-style slice delivered a slightly better balance of cheese, sauce, and overall flavor.
What I’m Ordering Next Time
One item immediately caught my attention for a future visit.
Nardozzi’s offers a Dunmore Deep Dish that looks like a personal-sized pan pizza, roughly nine inches in diameter.
It looked fantastic coming out of the oven, and after seeing several being made while I was there, it’s already on my list for a return trip.
The Perfect Ending
After filming, I stopped into the Dunmore UPS Store to see if any of the employees who had been giving me a hard time were working that day.
No luck.
So I packed up the remaining pizza and headed to the Clarks Summit location instead.
When I walked in carrying a Nardozzi’s box, everybody immediately knew why I was there.
One employee mentioned he hadn’t had Nardozzi’s in about five years.
Problem solved.
We shared the remaining pizza, had a few laughs, and finally put an end to years of friendly trash talk.
Sometimes the best part of a pizza review isn’t just the pizza itself.
It’s the stories, the people, and the local connections that make places like Nardozzi’s such an important part of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s food culture.
Final Thoughts
Nardozzi’s isn’t trying to be trendy. It isn’t chasing the latest pizza craze.
It’s simply serving the style of pizza that has made it a Dunmore institution for generations.
Between the distinctive sauce pattern, generous cheese application, friendly atmosphere, and decades of local history, it’s easy to understand why so many Dunmore residents are fiercely loyal to this place.
And after finally making the trip, I can confidently say the UPS guys were right.
This was one review I should have done a long time ago.
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