Armando’s Pizza

In Restaurants by Eric FontanaLeave a Comment

HAND-MADE PIZZA BAKED DIRECTLY on the HEARTH MAKES RESIDENTS of the MONONGAHELA VALLEY PROUD!

If you are from the Mon-Valley, you are extremely proud of your Steel Mill roots! The Mon Valley was once a bustling region that fabricated steel that helped drive and energize the American Industrial Revolution. Many of these mills were situated along the banks of the Monongahela River. Just as residents are proud of the rich tradition of the area, they are also proud of their pizza joint that has served the area for over five decades. Since 1969, Armando’s Pizza has mastered the often-overlooked key to major success, consistency. This week, yours truly ventures deep south on Interstate 79 to experience what locals are saying is the most consistent pizza in the Tri-State area!

The X-Factor – The signature to Armando’s pizza is that is baked directly on the hearth. What does this mean exactly? Open hearth cooking is the oldest way of cooking. Before cook stoves became a way of life, fireplaces were commonly used to cook meals for the family. Using the proper wood and controlling the fire creates intense flavor. Armando’s takes the time to honor this process, which generates a golden-brown pizza crust which creates a great base for their delicious pizza pies!

The pizza – Armando’s serves a New York style pizza. The staff works hard each and every day to provide proprietary dough-making, perfectly seasoned pizza sauce, and freshly grated cheese that produces wonderful pizza. Let us look at some of their pizza selections.

Armando’s base pizzas are their New York Style cheese pizza and their thick cut Sicilian Pizza. Topping selections include pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, green peppers, anchovies, onions, hot peppers, extra cheese, salami, black olives, fresh tomatoes, and ham.

Specialty pizzas – The Original Red Top features copious amounts of cheese and pepperoni which is stuffed between two layers of dough, and is topped with Armando’s red top sauce, aromatic spices, and finished with another layer of sprinkled red top sauce. The Steak Red Top features over a half pound of steak, two kinds of cheese mounded between 2 layers of dough and topped with Armando’s special sauce. The All-Meat Pizza has ham, pepperoni, salami, and Italian sausage.

Wedding soup – This is a random item to feature, however, the locals are saying it is that good. Fresh vegetables, homemade mini-meatballs, and fresh chicken are just a few ingredients that give Armando’s Wedding Soup a great flavor pop.

Other menu items – Armando’s also has delicious salads, hoagies, stromboli, pasta dinners, burritos, and chicken wings.

Score
  • Taste and Flavor
  • Portion Size
4.6

My Final Take

It is no secret why places that have been around for an exceedingly long time are successful. They do not take shortcuts when it comes when it comes to their signature menu items. Armando’s takes very seriously their pizza making process with extreme diligence and attention to detail. Residents of the Mon Valley work hard for their money and they know that when you order from Armando’s, they will deliver quality and consistency every time.

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