Old Forge Pizza vs Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza – What’s the difference?! Old Forge and Pan Fried Sicilian are two regional styles of pizza unique to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The styles sometimes get confused or lumped together due to a similar look from the top view. However, when you dig a little bit deeper, these are two very different pizzas!
OF and PFS – Similar Yet So Different!
Tucked away in the Pocono and Endless Mountains is a coal mining region home to industrial cities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton which are rich in tradition and a wealth of pizza. Some may have heard of Old Forge Pizza, which lays claim to the moniker “The Pizza Capital of the World” and is home to its own unique rectangular “square” style of pizza served by the “tray” and divided into “cuts” (not slices). This pizza is available both in the tiny town of Old Forge and in the surrounding areas, but generally is not found outside of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Perhaps lesser known to those who do not reside in Luzerne County, PA is the fact that NEPA is home to a second native style of pizza, known as Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza. Some refer to this as “Back Mountain Pizza,” fried pizza, or “Victory Pig Style” pizza as they are said to be the original to bring this type of pizza to the masses way back in 1942. Many local restaurants have adopted their own version of Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza. Some of the operators have “branched off” the Victory Pig family tree by working there and learning the craft and ultimately opening their own shop.
What is Old Forge Pizza?
Old Forge Pizza is a rectangular pizza sliced into 12 cuts. It’s made on a medium thickness crust that has a tight crumb, is a little spongy in the middle, and has a crispy bottom. The crust is typically parbaked (partially baked) before making the pizza. The sauce is more akin to a slow simmered pasta sauce than it is to a traditional raw pizza sauce. Additionally, the sauce is frequently made with sweet onion simmered in, but not always. The cheese is where it gets interesting in controversial. Many will shun Old Forge Pizza for its use of American cheese in its blend. The truth is, many Old Forge trays don’t include American cheese at all! Certainly blends can include American, but Brick, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Cooper and more are also popular cheese to include.
Check out some of my reviews of Old Forge Pizza! Also see the most comprehensive deep dive into Old Forge Pizza on the internet by Wandering Spectator!
What is Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza?
Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza is also sold by the cut. Rather than buying a “full tray” or “half tray” like Old Forge, you simply order the number of cuts you want. The crust is typically a same day fresh dough that goes through a highly regimented process of proofing and focaccia-like pressing throughout the day. Once the dough is ready, it’s covered with a simple lightly seasoned crushed tomato sauce. The crust is placed in a very heavily oiled pan. The traditional oil to use is peanut or any oil with a high smoke point. Some places use as much as a full cup of oil in the pan! The dough is placed on top of the oil and the crust fries while baking in the oven. The result is a pork-rind like texture that is supremely delicious and unlike other pan pizzas.
The sauce comes default with thinly sliced and diced raw sweet onions placed on top and baked. You can order it without onions, of course, but be ready to specify how you want to order the pizza when you call! Finally, the cheese can be a blend, but is generally a thinly sliced Wisconsin white cheddar cheese. When the pizza is complete, it’s removed from the pan and placed on a cooling rack to allow oil the oil to drain.
Find every place in NEPA that serves Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza with this list and map!
What Makes this NEPA Pizza Styles So Different?
You can see the breakdown in the chart below of what makes OF and PFS pizza styles distinct. If you read this and still can’t understand the nuances between the two trays, I’d encourage you to try one of each and then try to argue that they are the same pizza, because they aren’t at all!
Old Forge vs Pan Fried Sicilian Pizza
