A trip to the Ohio Valley requires, by law, a stop at DiCarlo’s Pizza. Even those of us who didn’t actually grow up in the area have grown to have an affinity for this pizza.
Although this small chain of pizzerias has several locations in Steubenville, many locals directed us to Weirton (downtown, they insisted, not uptown) to get the original. DiCarlo’s is now franchising (with a location in Hilliard, curiously enough) and the best slice is well known to be across the river. One of the customers told us that the sauce varies by location, but this one, the one next to Mario’s Café, was known to be a location where we might actually see “Mr. DiCarlo.” A quick look at the franchiser’s website does not include this location, which leaves one to wonder: which location is the best? We didn’t have time to taste for ourselves, so we went with what the crowd said.
DiCarlo’s does not provide delivery or seating (but does have a pickup window) and isn’t open on Saturdays until 2 p.m. We learned this the hard way and had to venture back into West Virginia later in the day. Oh. And they don’t take credit cards, either. Good pizza does not come easily.
I have to admit that the ordering process – for an outsider – was a little difficult as well. Sorting my way through the pricing chart on the posterboard was useless. The cashier taking my order quickly spouted off prices before I could ask them. I settled on 8 slices, half with pepperoni, two with olives and two with mushrooms, hoping that we had enough cash to cover however much that would cost.
The key to Dicarlo’s is an extreme respect for both the dough and the sweet tomato sauce. The dough of their pizzas is flash-baked in a brick oven; sauce, cheese and toppings are added later, allowing the heat (and steam) from the crust to cook the accessories. The outcome is heavenly. I’m not one to get territorial over food, but I really did want the entire thing for myself.
A trip to the Columbus-area DiCarlo’s is definitely in order, to see if they come close to the pizza that merited two trips to West Virginia. If it’s at least half as good, then maybe, just maybe, I’ll be tempted to share.
Weirton, WV
Tags: Ohio Valley, pizza, road trip, Steubenville
November 24, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I love DiCarlo’s pizza and I am sure that Dad misses getting it in Hilliard, let alone from the Ohio Valley.
December 9, 2009 at 10:14 pm
We came back home to Steubenville from San Francisco and the first thing was a visit To DiCarlo’s on Sunset Blvd. It was not so unusal to order pizza and eat in the car and stare into the front window at everyone in line waiting for their pizza. Why leave the parking lot- you may want another piece.