You Want a Pizza This?

A slice of Dublin’s best

By Helen Widman

According to Independent.ie, a media outlet in Dublin, Ireland, the first Irish pizza was made by Mario Gentile in 1954 at a parlor called Bernardo’s. Gentile and his brother, Bernardino, were inspired by pizza during a trip to Italy and brought back Italian ingredients and a recipe to spread around Ireland.

However, The Irish Times published an opinion piece by Corinna Hardgrave explaining that while Irish chefs have mastered the art of cooking pizza, there hasn’t yet been a solid, wide-spread Irish pizza.

Dublin Life Magazine decided to scour the community for some of the best pies around. Because if there is a definition of Irish pizza, why couldn’t it be found in Dublin, Ohio?

Iacono’s Ristorante – Hometown favorite

Dublin Road

The Iacono name is famous for pizza (see below). Tommy Iacono’s son, Steven, grew up in the business. And, in 1978, when he

Brenz Pizza Co. Photo courtesy of Kyle Rosch

was about 32, Steven set out with three new partners to start the first Iacono’s.

Luckily for Dublin, one of the Iacono’s locations was Shawnee Hills – back when there were not many dining choices in the area.

Tommy’s Pizza – Specialty crust and cuts

Tommy’s Dublin Center, Dublin-Granville Road

Tommy’s is a central Ohio favorite since 1952 and a touchstone of the community since opening in Dublin in the mid

Mezzo Photo courtesy of Abby Greene, director of marketing for Taste Hospitality Group

1980s. Its pizzas feature a unique crust that uses founder Tommy Iacono’s own recipe brought over from Italy. The recipe makes the crust flake like a cracker and crisps on the bottom when cooked. The pizzas are cut “Midwestern-style” in squares.

Tommy’s boasts it is the second oldest pizza restaurant in the city with more than 60 years of serving central Ohio, and has won CityScene Magazine’s Best of the ’Bus pizza category.

Harvest Pizzeria – Wood-fired pizza

High Street

Harvest Pizzeria in Dublin is known for its fresh, wood-fired pizza made with locally sourced ingredients. Harvest partners with local farms and purveyors to source the best local and all-natural ingredients available.

Executive Chef Tom Peponis sums up the company mission in one sentence.

“From farmer to chef and chef to you with love,” he says.

How is wood-fired pizza different?

• Wood-fired ovens char and flavor the pizza differently, creating a smoky, rustic flavor. • Different types of wood result in different flavors and tastes. • Wood-fired ovens can cook pizza in minutes thanks to the heat radiating from the oven’s domes, walls and tiles.

Enrico’s Pizza & Restaurant – Family-style

Franz Road

Family owned and operated since 1988, Enrico’s serves pizza “the way Grandma made it.” A true mom-and-pop neighborhood pizza place, Enrico’s is also known for its home-style Italian cuisine, subs and sandwiches.

If you didn’t work here part time in high school, you probably know someone who did.

Brenz Pizza Co. – Specialty pizza

Perimeter Drive

New to its Dublin location on Avery Road, Brenz Pizza Co. has a wide variety of specialty pizzas, ranging from Buffalo chicken, bruschetta, Brenz white, spicy Hawaiian and the Grecian goat.

Kyle Rosch, Dublin native and one of the owners of Brenz Pizza Co., has traveled all over the world in order to find the best ’za combinations and has even competed in national pizza competitions.

“We got creative with combining flavors that work really well together that some people might have never had before, and making it accessible for them,” Rosch says.

He adds that Brenz uses fresh ingredients and a special dough recipe and regimen in order to create the best flavors and crust.

Luna’s Pizza Kitchen – Local ingredients

Tuttle Crossing Boulevard

Pizza chefs at Luna’s Pizza Kitchen make pizza with fresh sliced veggies and their signature forte sauce.

“We make our dough fresh daily using a family recipe,” owner Umair Shafiq says. “We slice our fresh vegetables in-house. Our pizza sauce and many other sauces are made in-house using original recipes.” ✺ Fun fact: Shafiq and wife and co-owner

Vickey opened their pizzeria on National Pi Day!

Mezzo – Happy hour menu

Bridge Street

Mezzo of Dublin makes delicious gourmet pizzas, as well as a gluten free crust option – and it’s part of their happy hour menu.

“We make our dough in-house with fresh ingredients. It can also be made vegan friendly and gluten free too,” Mezzo General Manager Michael Haller says. “Our pizza is half off at happy hour from 4-6 p.m. so you can enjoy our beautiful patios with your drink of choice.” ✺ Dublin Life’s pick: Pollo vodka pizza – vodka cream sauce, roasted chicken, pancetta, caramelized onion. ✺ Fun fact: Mezzo translates to “middle” in Italian.

Harvest Pizzeria

Photo courtesy of Haylee Ayers Photography

Dewey’s Pizza Karric Square Drive

In addition to many traditional pizza options, Carlucci’s Pizzeria makes our list for its unique Mexican pizza. This Mexican pie comes with taco beef, jalapenos, tomato, green onion and cheddar cheese, as well as sour cream on the side. ✺ Fun fact: Pizza packs quite a punch in

Mexico. The most common toppings and sauces you might find in a Mexican pizza parlor are: • Salsa Valentina: Hot red tomato and spicy chili sauce • Salsa verde: Tomatillos and sweet green chilies • Salsa Inglesa: Also known as

Worcestershire sauce

Dewey’s Pizza – Green pizza

Perimeter Drive

If a true Irish pizza had a color, it would be green. Dewey's Green Lantern pie practically glows with artichokes, pesto, goat cheese, mushrooms and minced garlic.

And that's not the only green pizza Dewey's has. The Killer Veggie pizza is abundant with green peppers and parsley, among other vegetables.

Visit the Historic Dublin business District

Restaurants in Historic Dublin have been doing “farm to table”since that was the only option.

IN tHe 1800’S IN DuBlIN, “locally sourced” and “farm to table” weren’t phrases the latest cutting-edge restaurants promoted to describe their menu, it was the only way food was sourced and prepared. While times have changed, the commitment to the kind of quality food and drink you’ll find in the heart of the Historic District hasn’t. From the highest end menus for sophisticated palettes to the playful and decadent treats that everyone of every age will enjoy, it can all be found in this quaint little community. Have a meal that’s more than memorable – it’s historic, in the heart of Dublin, Ohio.

Taking green to another level, Dewey's has a seasonal Cuban pizza that includes tons of pickles on top. Would you try it?

Bridge Street Pizza – The Shamrock

Bridge Street

The Shamrock, one of Bridge Street Pizza’s most unique pies, includes pesto, spinach, artichoke, pine nuts and feta cheese. The Dubliner, another gourmet option, includes chicken, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, red onion and parmesan.

According to Bridge Street Pizza owner Castro Rafeedie, the Shamrock pizza is their best-selling pizza.

“The Shamrock just had to be a part of the menu in some way, shape or form,” Rafeedie says, “because Dublin has shamrocks as their mascot, and with the pesto sauce and the spinach, it just makes sense.”

Helen Widman is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Carlucci’s Pizzeria

Bridge Street

Pizza Photo courtesy of Castro Rafeedie

FooD & DrINkFooD & DrINk

IN HIStorI IN HIStorIc Duc DuBlIN BlIN c coast Wine Houseoast Wine House c condado tacosondado tacos Dublin Village tavernDublin Village tavern

J. liu J. liu restaurant & Barrestaurant & Bar

Johnson’s r Johnson’s real Ice eal Ice cream cream North High BrewingNorth High Brewing our cupc our cupcakery akery tucci’s tucci’s Winans Winans chocolates and coffeechocolates and coffee

Discover more about these businesses at: Discover more about these businesses at: historicdublin.org/members historicdublin.org/members