Colarusso’s Coal Fired Pizza – A Dickson City Staple Finds a New Home
Anthracite-fired pizza in NEPA’s coal region just makes sense—and Colarusso’s Coal Fired Pizza has been proving it for years. Once located up by Target in Dickson City, Colarusso’s has now made the move to 280 Main Street in Dickson City, near Lehigh Valley Hospital. The new location is nothing short of impressive, featuring a beautiful bar and restaurant area, multiple dining rooms, an outdoor covered patio, and even a large banquet room. It’s the perfect balance of upscale and casual—come as you are in a t-shirt and shorts, or bring a date for a special night out.
The Colarusso’s name is already synonymous with Old Forge Style pizza and their famous white tomato and garlic tray, but this restaurant takes a different approach. Here, the spotlight shines on round pizzas cooked in an anthracite-fired oven that roars past 900 degrees. While New York and New Haven are known for their wood-fired greats, Colarusso’s was the first in NEPA—at least to my knowledge—to fire up a coal oven for pizza.
The Round Pizza
Back at their original location, I was a frequent visitor, and every time I went, I ordered the round pizza. And let me tell you—it was outstanding every single time. These pies are light, vibrant, and full of flavor, a far cry from the heavy, doughy pizzas you sometimes find.
My one tip? Eat it there. The round pizza doesn’t travel quite as well, and fresh out of the coal oven is when the magic really hits. Check out the ratings below to see how each pizza scored.
The Sicilian Pizza – A Sleeper Hit
On a more recent visit to the new Main Street spot, I finally took the advice of one of the chefs I’d chatted with months earlier and tried their Sicilian pizza. And wow… what a sleeper hit.
This Sicilian is a beast of a pizza—heavy, hearty, and beautifully cooked. I asked for it a little well-done to ensure it baked all the way through, and it came out with that perfect cheese pull and a slightly fried bottom. It’s not quite a Pan Fried Sicilian like you’d find elsewhere in NEPA, but more of an Americanized traditional Sicilian. Still, it does have just a kiss of that fried texture on the bottom that gives it a little extra crunch.
The toppings are straightforward but bold. The sauce bursts with freshness, layered with texture and flavor, balanced by the sweetness of onions that come baked right in (a game-changer if you ask me). Combine that with a sharper cheese blend and a pillowy-yet-flaky crust, and you’ve got a Sicilian pizza that is supremely flavorful and shockingly underrated.
With so many Sicilians weighed down by excess dough, this one stands out because the flavors shine through. It’s easily one of the best regular (non-pan fried) Sicilian pizzas I’ve had in NEPA—absolutely a top five, and honestly, it makes an argument for top three.
Value and Atmosphere
Beyond the pizza, the overall dining experience at Colarusso’s remains one of the best in the region. The menu is built on high-quality ingredients, portion sizes are generous, and prices are reasonable, making it an excellent value. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite, grabbing a drink at the bar, or sitting down for a family dinner, Colarusso’s offers something for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Colarusso’s Coal Fired Pizza has always been one of NEPA’s most underrated pizza gems, and the move to their new location on Main Street has only elevated the experience. From the classic anthracite-fired round pizzas to the sleeper-hit Sicilian, they’re quietly churning out some of the best pizza in the area.
So here’s my question for you—when it comes to regular Sicilian pizza (not pan fried) in NEPA, who makes your favorite? Because Colarusso’s has definitely entered the conversation for mine.
Rating the Sicilian Pizza
Restaurant: Colarusso’s Coal Fired Pizza
Location: Dickson City, PA
Date: September 2025
Eat In/Take Out: Take Out
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 8.1 |
| Sauce | 9.1 |
| Cheese | 8.2 |
| Taste | 9.3 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 7.8 |
| Value | 7.5 |
| Overall Rating | 8.5 |
Heart Shaped Pizza
Restaurant: Colarusso’s Coal Fired Pizza
Location: Dickson City, PA
Date: February 2020
Eat In/Take Out: Eat In
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 9.2 |
| Sauce | 9.2 |
| Cheese | 8.5 |
| Taste | 9.1 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 9.2 |
| Value | 8.3 |
| Overall Rating | 9.1 |
Cauliflower Crust Gluten Free Pizza
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 8.3 |
| Sauce | 9.1 |
| Cheese | 8.5 |
| Taste | 7.9 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 8.7 |
| Value | 7.8 |
| Overall Rating | 8.4 |
The Pizza is Similar to: Samario’s
Black and Bleu Pizza
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 9.1 |
| Sauce | 9.1 |
| Cheese | 8.4 |
| Taste | 8.7 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 9.1 |
| Value | 8.7 |
| Overall Rating | 6.9 |
Shrimp and Hot Pepper Pizza
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 9.1 |
| Sauce | 9.2 |
| Cheese | 8.5 |
| Taste | 9.1 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 9.1 |
| Value | 8.1 |
| Overall Rating | 9.0 |
Sophia Loren Pizza
| Rating Category | Rating Score |
|---|---|
| Crust | 9.1 |
| Sauce | 9.2 |
| Cheese | 7.8 |
| Taste | 9.1 |
| Crispy/Cooked Properly | 8.9 |
| Value | 7.6 |
| Overall Rating | 8.6 |
This Pizza is Similar to: Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza
