Rick Sebak Heads to Badamo's and I head to McKees Rocks
The city of Pittsburgh is flooded with delicious pizza and the North Side is home to a new shop.
Rick Sebak Heads to Badamo’s
Rick Sebak travels to Badamo’s pizza to get the scoop on what makes Badamo’s, well, Badamo’s. Rick takes us into the heart of Badamo’s HQ where we hear from Anthony Badamo and an assortment of crew. They explore every aspect of owning a pizza shop, with an emphasis on the move to Dormont which happened in 2023.
A big highlight of the video is the interviews with the local Badamo fans who have followed Badamo’s around like a small pizza cult. But if you’ve had Badamo’s you know their pizza turns enthusiasts into zealots. In fact, a number of employees are former customers who made it their mission to get hired at Badamo’s. There’s even the customary snippets of interviews with former New York Residents who compare Badamo’s pizza to pizza in NYC - and even they love it!
Follow Badamo’s on Instagram or read more about their approach to charred pizza.
Doughboy’s Pizza in McKees Rocks
Earlier this week I was heading to the dreaded Roxian to see Comedy Bang Bang!. I’ll admit I love to laugh and I love to laugh surrounded by other people. A live podcast isn’t for the faint of heart, but Comedy Bang Bang! cracks my little butt up. Where else are you gonna get to hear the Calvin Triplets?
What’s a boy to do in McKees Rocks prior to a show? Sniff out an intriguing pizza shop. Pizza options were between Doughboy’s pizza or Gavino’s. The good news is Gavino’s is under new management, but I had heard mumbling that Doughboy’s pizza was legit. On their menu they claim they are “the only shop in town that truly makes fresh Sicilians.” That’s a heck of a claim! I had to investigate. I’m a sucker for thick, crispy, oily Sicilian slices.
I picked up my pie from a very busy Doughboy’s pizza. Pizzas were flowing and their own fleet of pizza delivery people were grabbing pizzas, stuffing them into bags and heading out on the road. A busy pizza hive where everyone knew their role and executed it perfectly.
It’s Sicilian, Wrapped in Plastic.
I opened the box and was surprised to find my pizza cosplaying as Laura Palmer.
The rectangle of pizza was carefully wrapped in plastic, cheese dripping off the sides. I grabbed a corner slice and was surprised how light it was. It looks heavy. Like a number of bricks you could build a small pizza home out of that even a wolf would have trouble knocking down. But these squares contain more air than bread. As your bite in the square deflates, releasing oil and flavor into your mouth.
The flavor is subtle. You get the oil, a nice bread taste, but doesn’t contain the complexity of flavor of something like Driftwood Oven. The toppings were serviceable and inoffensive. The cheese was goopy and sauce provided a nice balance between the crust and cheese. You’re really here for the oily crispy, crust that shatters in your mouth. Shrapnel of crust exploding from the thick Sicilian crust is a nice joy before getting to the cotton-candy inner area.
Pizza pal Chad enjoyed this pizza on a sidewalk near the Roxian. Grabbing a slice and crushing a pizza slice by slice with a friend is how this pizza is meant to be enjoyed. The pizza isn’t as sloppy or messy as it looks and aside from crumbs there’s not much to be concerned about.
Doughboy’s Sicilian is worthy fuel prior to seeing a show at the Roxian. Service was quick and the pizza travels a mile down the road to the venue perfectly well. Check it out if you’re in the Rocks!
Alberta’s Pizza Opens on the North Side
You may have seen Alberta’s pizza around town. Their pizza truck is one of the best food trucks around town. Well they just opened a brick-and-mortar location on Western Ave on the North Side.
It’s not only pizza either. They also have oyster and cocktails. From the Alberta’s website:
More than just pizza, our menu also includes global-inspired small plates and a full wine and cocktail menu.
Alberta's has curated a dine in only experience to make everyone feel like a North Side local.
When you walk through our door, you'll want to stay.
I’ve heard from North Side residents that this place that say this is their new favorite place. Stay tuned for more info!
Good week for pizza! Did you have any good pizza this week? Have pizza plans? Let me know in the comments!
Pizza ya later!
-Dan Tallarico, Pizza Journalist