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Centerville Pizza and BBQ

Local Pizza Joint Quietly Delivers National Recognition

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Robert Benson of Centerville Pizza and BBQ

Tucked into a small shopping strip across from the “Super Kroger” on S. Main Street Centerville is a little known place, where you can have a heck of a Food Adventure.  It is an unsung, unassuming little business that you may find to be a new favorite “go to.”

Centerville Pizza and BBQ has quietly been serving up pies and even winning national recognition at pizza competitions.  In 2017, they beat competitors in Columbus to catapult them into the “Super Bowl” of pizza competitions called the International Pizza Competition in Las Vegas.  Pizza Chefs from all over the USA were there, as were pizza tossers from Italy, France and Korea.  They placed 3rd in the Midwest, making their name on the leaderboard!

They were also featured earlier in 2018 in the national pizza magazine, Pizza Today !

So how come so many Daytonians have yet to try this pizza place?

Cheesey Bread

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on CENTERVILLE PIZZA and BBQ:

— Owner Robert Benson opened the business in 2010.

— The specialize in Pizza, BBQ and Broasted Chicken.

— Homemade dough, homemade BBQ sauces and Specialty pizzas are the hallmarks as well

— They are taking orders for Thanksgiving Smoked Turkeys! Average turkeys are 20lbs, and the price is $60. Pickup 11am Thanksgiving Day! Call for details 438.0223

The Zombie PIzza – quickly becoming famous

— Located at 9470 Dayton-Lebanon Pike, they are open for take out, have a couple tables for dine-in, and deliver to a limited area in Centerville.

— Hours of Operation:
   Monday – Thurdsay: 11am – 10pm
   Friday/Saturday: 11am – 11pm
   Sunday: 3pm-10pm

— They have a full catering menu as well !

 

BENSON FAMILY TRADITIONS:
In rural Tennessee in the early 1940’s, “Grandpa Benny” owned Benson’s Grocery.  Locals grabbed groceries, tobacco, fresh foods made from scratch and even moonshine.  Grandpa became “Moonshine Benny” known for his made from scratch foodstuffs as well.  Fast forward to his grandson, now in Dayton known as “Pizza Benny.”  He opened, Centerville Pizza and BBQ on June 1st, 2010 with a philosophy of  pizza dough made from scratch, the best toppings, homemade sauces and signature sides made from real family recipes!

Pulled Pork by the 1/2 pound

But what are the best menu items at Centerville Pizza?

The Food Adventure Crew has been getting take out and delivery for the past 8 years, and have some research into the “must eats.”  Without further delay, here they are ….

 

MUST EATS AT CENTERVILLE PIZZA and BBQ:

 

THE ZOMBIE PIZZA:
Ok , sit back and absorb this one. This is one of the best pizzas you will ever eat. Period. They hit it out of the park with this combination of flavors.  The sauce is ranch instead of tomato sauce.  Ingredients include fresh garlic, fresh spinach, provolone and mozzarella cheeses, and finished with pepperoni, bacon, fresh diced tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. TRUST US ! Life changing !!

 

Broasted Whole Wings

THE BROASTED WHOLE WINGS WITH HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE or HOT SAUCE ON THE SIDE:
Talk about amazing flavor, this is a winner chicken dinner for sure. Get the wings broasted and ask for cups of their sauces bbq, mild, medium and hot.  Crispy, and delicious fried chicken with a taste you will love. DO NOT forget to get those homemade sauces on the side.

 

PULLED PORK:
Huge serving of pulled pork, and don’t forget to ask Benny’s crew for extra BBQ sauce and drizzle that stuff on top until you can’t drizzle any more. Great as a sandwich or just a fork and the plate. Melts in your mouth goodness. The smoky flavor is great and the prices are right ! Most underrated BBQ in town TRUTH BE TOLD !

Home Made Cornbread with liquid butter on the side.

 

CORN BREAD WITH BUTTER ON THE SIDE:
When eating BBQ , you cannot leave out the cornbread here. It is baked to perfection and sold in brownie like bites wrapped in plastic. Ask for butter on the side and you get a cup of liquid butter for dipping. NO trip to Centerville BBQ is complete without it.

 

BABYBACK BBQ RIBS:
The full and half slabs of these baby backs are affordable and delicious. The sauce is smothered on the ribs, but we still ask for extra bbq sauce for dipping. The ribs are a terrific and have a bold taste. Again, one of the best BBQs we have had, that you never hear about.

Is your mouth watering yet?  If so, it is time to make a trip to Centerville.

Sauced up Ribs – Ready to Eat

Please check out this pizza shop, and experience what the buzz is all about.  You may even catch Pizza Benny himself making some fresh dough, or serving customers.  You will love the sauces and the BBQ.  The fact that they deliver great BBQ and Broasted Wings is rare.

For more photos feel free to scroll down the gallery.

Food Adventures is a local food blog. We write weekly feature articles on DaytonMostMetro .com .

For more Food Adventures, “like” us on Facebook HERE.

 

 

BBQ Baked Beans

Cheesey Potatoes

Broasted wings

Brownies

Calzone

Wings and sauce on the side

Spaghetti

Mushroom, onion, green pepper and anchovy

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Cinna bread

Broasted Wings !

Mashed Potatoes Extra Gravy

Wings and sauces

a Zombie Pizza

Thin Crust Mushroom, onion , green pepper, anchovies !

broasted potatoes

pork n sauce with cornbread

RIBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centerville Pizzeria at International Pizza Challenge

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Pizza Chefs from Italy, France and  Korea were amongst the competitors at this years International Pizza Competition in Las Vegas this past March.

Since its inception in 2007, the International Pizza Challenge™ has evolved and grown in stature and prize money to become the best pizza-making competition in North America.

There are now five divisions in the pizza bake-off attracting approximately 200 pizzaioli. They bake a pie from their pizza menu on the spot at Pizza Expo and present it to a panel of judges, with cash prizes and plaques going to the winners. The five divisions include Traditional, Non-Traditional, Pan, Pizza Napoletana and Gluten-Free.  Challengers came from Italy, France, Korean and Centerville, Ohio!

Yes, you read that right, Rob Benson, owner of Centerville Pizza and BBQ, also known as Pizza Benny,  represented the midwest as one of 60 entrants in the non-traditional pizza category.  Rob rocked the Midwest Challenge during the the Columbus Pizza show,  which won him entry into the  International Challenge, two round trip  airlines tickets, hotel room,  and $500.

With the help of sponsors like The Vue Lounge,
B-Man from WTUE and Deuce Shirts, Benson headed to Las Vegas the last week of March to go dough to dough against 59 competitors with  his original Shrimp Jambalaya Pizza.

In Vegas, contestants brought their own ingredients to make their specialty pies. Show management provided refrigeration space, equipment and ovens.

Judging panels were composed of impartial chefs, food critics and others from the pizzeria industry, and they score each pie using the following criteria:

 

Taste was scored on:

  • Crust
  • Sauce, Cheese, Toppings
  • Overall Taste
  • Creativity (Non-Traditional and American-Pan divisions only)

Visual Presentation / Appearance was scored on:

  • Bake
  • Visual Presentation

While Ron did not advance to the finals, placing  3rd  in the regional was pretty impressive and making it to  the Super Bowl of pizza is a great claim to fame for this Centerville pizza joint that’s only been around sine June of 2010. He says “it was an honor to represent small, independent pizzeria’s and Dayton and it was a privilege to stand next to world champions.”  He also was quick to thank everyone for their support.

The winner in the Non-Traditional category was Brian Hall from Tony Boombozz Pizzeria in Louisville, KY.

You can make your own  judgements by tasting Benson’s  pizza at 9470 Dayton-Lebanon Pike just across from the Kroger in Centerville.  He’s still busy creating non-traditional recipes, like this month’s special:

Cinco de Mayo Pizza
Queso Cheese Sauce, Mozz/Provo/Cheddar Cheese, Chorizo Sausage, Onion, Black Olive and Diced Tomato. Finished with fresh chopped Cilantro!