A rectangle of pizza with a crackly bottom, a soft middle, and cheese that nobody will fully explain to you is what finally got me to stop driving past a string of plain little storefronts in northeastern Pennsylvania. The style is called Old Forge pizza, and around here you order it by the tray or by the cut, never by the slice.
It looks simple on the table, but that first crunchy square has a way of making you plan your next visit before you finish chewing. Here are nine spots where the trays come out golden, square, and worth every mile of the drive.
1. Arcaro and Genell, Old Forge, PA, Old Forge, PA
Start with the thin crust red tray here, and you will understand why so many locals treat this family-owned spot on South Main Street as the benchmark. The crust is light and crisp, the sauce leans tangy, and every square is cut clean enough to grab without a fork.
It tastes like a tradition that has been practiced a long, long time.
The menu goes well past pizza, which makes it an easy pick for groups with mixed cravings. You can round out a tray with homemade manicotti with meatballs or sausage, a porketta hoagie, or a steak and cheese hoagie.
The double crust white is the other must-order, with a golden top layer hiding a rich, cheesy middle.
Save room, because dessert is a real draw. Homemade cannoli and tiramisu close out the meal in classic style, and the counter service moves quickly even when the dining room fills up.
The room itself feels cozy and a little historic, a good match for the food.
Practical stuff matters on a day trip. Doors open at 11 AM Monday through Saturday and close at 8 PM, while Sunday wraps up at 6 PM.
Reservations are not taken, so Friday evenings get busy, and a quiet Wednesday lunch is your best bet for a relaxed first visit.
2. Revello’s Pizza Cafe, Old Forge, PA
Since 1967, the ovens at this family-owned cafe have been turning out from-scratch pizza just a short stroll down South Main Street from its neighbors. That long run shows in the atmosphere, which feels like a piece of town history with a lively, welcoming buzz.
Few places in Old Forge feel as iconic.
Here the crust lands at a medium thickness, light and fluffy inside with a crisp finish on the bottom. A signature blend of cheeses gives each cut a juicy, rich bite that stands apart from the thinner trays nearby.
Order by the cut if you want a taste, or by the tray if you came hungry.
Evenings bring extra energy. Local bands sometimes play, and the dining room is a comfortable spot to catch a game with friends or family.
Pastas and sandwiches fill out the menu for anyone who wants a break from squares.
Hours run later than most of the area, which is handy after an autumn drive through the Lackawanna Valley. Monday service starts at 4:30 PM, other days at 11:30 AM, and Friday and Saturday stay open until 11 PM.
Unlike many Old Forge shops, reservations are accepted, a smart move for Friday nights.
3. Mary Lou’s Pizza, Old Forge, PA
Watching your pizza come out of the oven is half the fun at this cozy spot on Dunn Avenue. The kitchen is open, so you can see trays being built and baked while you wait.
Most orders are ready in about fifteen minutes, made fresh on the spot.
Crust is the headline. It comes out crisp on the outside and soft within, light and airy enough that the sauce, cheese, and toppings all get their moment.
The cheese blend is a standout, rich and melty without weighing down each square.
White pizza lovers should head straight for the Old Forge Double Crust White. A version loaded with spinach and garlic is a local favorite, and the top layer bakes up golden and tender.
Sicilian and other styles are on the menu too, for anyone who wants to compare.
Friendly staff are happy to share the story behind Old Forge pizza, which makes this a great first stop for newcomers. A take-out window keeps things moving if you are grabbing a tray for the road.
Plan around the schedule, since it opens Tuesday through Saturday at 11 AM and closes Sunday and Monday.
4. Salerno’s Cafe, Old Forge, PA
Ask for a 12 cut red and you will be speaking fluent Old Forge at this laid-back cafe on Moosic Road. Red and white pizzas made in the town’s signature style are the specialty, and the trays arrive with a light, airy crust and browned edges.
The sauce has a bold, full flavor that ties everything together.
Cheese fans get a little bonus here. The trays run slightly cheesier than many others in town, which gives each square a softer, richer bite.
If you like your pizza generous on top, this is your stop.
Do not skip the stuffed white pizza. It is the kind of dish people keep ordering again and again, with a tender top crust sealing in a warm, cheesy filling.
Jumbo wings and pasta dinners are also on the menu at friendly prices.
The dining room stays clean and quiet, with a small, comfortable feel and table service from a friendly crew. Hours are 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday, and it closes on Sundays.
Delivery is not offered, so plan to dine in or pick up your tray yourself.
5. Alfredo’s Pizza, Scranton, PA
Big appetites, meet a big dining room. This roomy spot in the South Side Shopping Center gives Scranton a place to spread out and try several pizza styles in one sitting.
Seating is plentiful, the interior feels warm, and service moves fast.
Square pizza is on the menu for Old Forge fans, available as red cuts with toppings like pepperoni or sausage and as white cuts too. The double crust white pizza is another regional classic worth ordering.
Portions come out large and loaded, so sharing is a smart plan.
What sets this stop apart is range. The award-winning thick pan pizza is its own local legend, made with cheddar for a flavor that feels very northeastern Pennsylvania.
A thin round pizza, stromboli, bruschetta pizza, and mozzarella sticks round out a menu that works for every picky eater at the table.
Everything is made to order, and the price stays reasonable for the size. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Reservations are accepted, and the free parking lot makes it an easy stop on a Scranton day trip.
6. Arcaros The Next Generation, Pittston, PA
Pittston gets in on the tray tradition at this casual spot on Bryden Street, just a few minutes from Old Forge. The name hints at a new chapter, and the menu shows a playful streak while still honoring the square.
Old Forge-style pizza sits right beside a big lineup of comfort food.
Double crust pies are where the creativity really shows. The double crust white is a crowd favorite, and a steak and spinach version with mushrooms and onions makes a filling meal all on its own.
Chicken wing pizza has fans too, and the kitchen has been known to make special requests like a BLT pizza.
Wings here are hefty, not the tiny kind. Fried ravioli, stromboli, calzones, and pasta fill out the rest of the menu.
It is the sort of place where everyone at the table orders something different and nobody leaves disappointed.
The room feels cozy and family-friendly, with high chairs, a kids’ menu, and free wi-fi. Doors open at 3 PM Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturday, and it closes on Sundays.
Curbside pickup is available, perfect for grabbing a tray on a chilly winter evening.
7. Colarusso’s Pizza Dunmore, Dunmore, PA
Hand-tossed New York slices are not the goal on East Drinker Street. This Dunmore pizza joint is famous for Old Forge-style pies, and it proudly sticks to squares.
Walk in expecting a tray, and you will be right at home.
White pizza gets serious attention here. The broccoli and cheese double crusted pizza is a signature, stuffed and dripping with melted cheese.
A fresh garlic white pizza topped with tomatoes is so good that folks plan road trips around it.
Red trays stay consistent, with fresh tomato flavor and a satisfying crunch. Hot wings, meatball hoagies, and steak and cheese hoagies give you plenty of backup options.
Orders are placed at the counter, which keeps the vibe relaxed and quick.
Timing takes a little planning, since hours shift through the week. It is closed Monday, opens at 3 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and starts earlier Thursday through Sunday.
Delivery and takeout are both available, and the free parking lot helps on busy weekends.
8. Colarusso’s Pizza and Pasta, Hanover, PA
Wilkes-Barre area pizza fans have a strong claim to Old Forge greatness at this no-fuss shop on West End Road. Many locals call it the best Old Forge-style pizza in the area.
The setup is simple, but the flavor is anything but plain.
Fresh tomato pizza is the star, with a light, fluffy crust and a big hit of garlic. The meat lovers tray shows off a rich red sauce that holds up to all those toppings.
White broccoli pizza is another favorite, perfect for anyone who likes their squares on the green side.
Portions are generous and prices stay reasonable. Daily specials keep regulars coming back to see what is new.
Pasta dishes are just as hearty, and the staff are prompt and helpful.
Everything is made to order, so give the kitchen a few minutes. The shop opens Wednesday through Saturday, with Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday off.
Curbside pickup is offered, though there is no delivery, so it makes a tasty stop on a spring drive along the Susquehanna.
9. Colarusso’s Cafe, Avoca, PA
Creamy, hot, and gloriously gooey, the double-crusted white pizza is the reason many people find their way to Main Street in Avoca. This family-owned cafe serves specialty red and white pizzas with a crust that gets high praise.
The cheese is the stretchy, stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth kind, and the sauce is full of flavor.
Square red pizza holds its own too, with fresh toppings that never feel too heavy. Each bite has that crisp base and tender middle Old Forge fans are chasing.
It is a great place to order one of each and settle the red versus white debate.
Beyond pizza, the menu reads like a Sunday dinner. Homemade macaroni with meatballs, lasagna with meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and broiled haddock with pasta and salad are all options.
Full vegetarian and vegan menus mean every guest can join in.
Families will feel welcome, with high chairs, a kids’ menu, and fast, cordial service. Hours start at 3 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 11 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 1 PM on Sunday, with Monday off.
Reservations are accepted, and arriving early helps since parking can fill up.