Cult Classic: Joe’s Pizzeria

 

Dayton has an underground pizza following.  Many of them are older generations and not internet savvy.  Many of them are young and just hitting their pizza groove.  They have one thing in common, they love Food Adventures to Joe’s Pizzeria on Airway Rd.  This is the 60th year in business for Joe’s.  It is a pizza place that has quietly become a fan favorite in the Miami Valley.  In a city that invented thin crust pizza establishments, this restaurant has held its own… and then some.

THE SECRET TO JOE’s SUCCESS:

The answer is pepperoni.  Yes. pepperoni is the

secret to Joe’s Pizzeria’s success.  Their pizza uniquely has these small pepperonis that crisp up around the edges and rise during cooking.  As the pepperonis curl up, the edges get crispy and pepperonis form little bowls.  Inside these bowls is the self contained, tasty grease from each pepperoni.  You essentially have tiny bowls of flavor all over your pizza.  That is their trademark.  It is also what typically brings people in from all over town. No other pizza place does it quite the same, the pepperoni and cooking technique makes the taste and product unique.

 

HERE’s THE SKINNY on JOE’s PIZZERIA:

— Joe’s Pizzeria has been family owned since 1959, only changing ownership once.

— Located at 4313 Airway Rd,  the small parking lot and modest dining area, may cause you to deal with a crowded atmosphere.

— Hours are
Monday-Friday, 10am – 10pm.
Friday and Saturday, 10am – 11pm
Sunday, noon – 10pm

— When you first walk in – you place your order, then pay and sit down and wait for them to call your name when your order is ready.  Listen carefully, because at this fast paced place they announce the names quicker that an auctioneer at an estate sale.

— The dining room is also late 70’s early 80’s decor.  Eating there feels like a delicious time warp.

— The beverage situation is unique.  They tend to push 2 liters of pop on groups, since it is the best deal.  Your choice of drinks are 2 liters, and 20 ounce bottles.  You can also buy a small or large fountain pop, but you get NO REFILLS.

OK so it is no secret that the pizza is the main event at  Joe’s.
After having dozens of pizza topping combinations and trying everything on the menu, The Food Adventure Crew have come up with our list of “MUST EATS…”

 

MUST EATS at JOE’s PIZZERIA:

— THE PEPPERONI PIZZA:
Whether it is a small, large or jumbo sized pie, you can’t go wrong with the classic pizza choice at Joe’s.  We don’t suggest asking for extra sauce, because it might mess with the dynamic of the pepperoni grease bowls.  The pizza is a thin crust and typically crispy. They cut their pizzas into the familiar Dayton Squares cut.  It comes out piping hot, and guaranteed to burn a mouth or two.

 

— PIZZA WITH PEPPERONI, ONION, MUSHROOMS and GREEN PEPPERS:
Get the pepperoni of course, and add onion, mushroom and green peppers to round out a terrific pizza.  This will become a favorite in your household.  Don’t like an item or missing a topping you love?  The secret is to get your version of a deluxe and make sure you include pepperoni.

 

— THE STEAK SUB:
The only item that was outstanding enough besides pizza to make the “must eats” is the steak sub.  It is a hoagie beef patty on a sub bun, topped with spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, cheese, onions and banana peppers.  It tastes great and one reason is the bun is so soft.  The mix of the hoagie patty and the toppings makes it an instant classic.

 

Joe’s Pizzeria of Dayton definitely has a strong

following.  You see dozens of customers stroll in hour after hour, either leaving with pizzas or sitting down in the dining room.  They get busy during peak hours and do a hell of a “to go” business.  The square-cut cult classic pie with pepperoni has become a Dayton Icon.  The term is so overused but this place definitely earns its spot as gem of Dayton.

If you have been to Joe’s Pizzeria, then you know what the addicting pizza tastes like.  If you have not been there yet, it is time to drive over to Airway Road and experience the little pepperoni grease bowls for yourself.

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