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From Deep Dish to Gluten Free: The Best Pizza in Erie, PA

Erie is a pizza-loving city to its core. Nearly every neighborhood has its own go-to spot, and locals have strong opinions about which one does it best. The styles range from wood-fired Neapolitan pies and deep dish to the classic hand-tossed slices you can fold in half. Here's a guide to the best pizza in Erie, organized by style, with every restaurant within easy reach of Tanglewood Apartments.  


Best Artisan Pizza for Foodies 

A person is making a pizza with tomato sauce and cheese.

Ippa Pizza Napoletana  

Ippa Pizza Napoletana (22 North Park Row, inside the Flagship City Food Hall) is a passion project from owner Jason Spore, who named the business after his son Colby's toddler word for pizza. Everything here is built on naturally fermented dough made from three flours and two starters, with hand-stretched mozzarella and house-milled tomato sauce. The Margherita ("The Rita") is the signature, but the "Peppi Squared" lets you pick two of four different pepperoni varieties for a custom pie. The menu is small on purpose, and every pie reflects that focus. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  


A. Francisco's  

A. Francisco's (1201 State St) brings a more upscale vibe to the Erie pizza scene. The naturally fermented dough is the foundation, and the menu pairs gourmet pizzas with shareable bites, hearty salads, and ecovino wines. Open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4:30 p.m., it's a great spot for a sit-down dinner when you want pizza with a little more atmosphere. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  


Best Classic Hand-Tossed Slice 

A person is pulling a slice of cheese pizza from a whole pizza.

Colony Pizza & Catering  

Colony Pizza & Catering (2666 W 8th St) has been making hand-tossed pizza in Erie for over 30 years. They use provolone instead of mozzarella as their standard cheese, which gives their pies a slightly sharper, more distinctive flavor. This "Serious Slice" deal of two slices and a fountain drink is a local favorite for a quick lunch. Colony also offers catering for larger events. About 12 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  




Passalinqua's Pizzeria  

Passalinqua's Pizzeria (3515 McClelland Ave) makes everything from scratch. The dough, sauces, dressings, and meatballs are all homemade, and they use a signature blend of mozzarella and provolone on every pie. The Spitz-I-Ano pizza is a local favorite, and the hot honey ricotta pizza is worth trying if you like a little sweetness with your slice. They also serve Italian subs, pasta, and wings. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  


   


Best Deep Dish & Thick Crust  


Stevo's Pizza  

Stevo's Pizza (1019 State St) has been serving Erie since 2005 and is one of the few spots in town where you can get both classic New York-style slices and deep-dish pizza. The deep dish is thick, loaded with cheese, and has a rich, flavorful sauce that fans compare to what you'd find in Chicago. The pierogi pizza, topped with fries, sour cream, and onions, is a local original that's worth trying at least once. They also serve subs, calzones, wings, and salads, and delivery is available. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  

A man and a woman are sitting at a table, sharing a meal and a drink.

Best for Gluten-Free & Vegan Options  


Pizza Pete's Pizzeria  

Pizza Pete's Pizzeria (2823 W 26th St) has been family-owned and operated in the Millcreek area since 2013. Every pizza starts with hand-tossed, preservative-free dough, topped with vine-ripened tomato sauce and mozzarella. What sets Pizza Pete's apart is that they offer both gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese options, which makes it one of the easier spots in Erie for anyone with dietary restrictions to get a good pie. The menu also includes calzones, subs, wings, and salads. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  



Valerio's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria  

Valerio's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (2179 W 32nd St) has been a part of the Erie dining scene since 1994 and now operates three locations across the city. The menu goes far beyond pizza with homemade meatballs, lasagna, subs, salads, and a full lineup of Italian-American entrees. They also offer lighter and modified menu options for different dietary preferences. Valerio's is open daily for lunch and dinner, and it's a versatile choice whether you're dining in or ordering delivery. About 10 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  


Best Pizza-and-Wings Combo  


Lucky Man's Pizzeria  

Lucky Man's Pizzeria (3651 W 12th St) is a family-owned spot known for Erie's Original Jumbo Wings. The thin-crust pizza with cup-and-char pepperoni is a fan favorite, and the wings come in a long list of sauces, including Cajun Kick, Western Gold, and classic Buffalo. If you can't decide between pizza night and wing night, this is definitely the place. Lucky Man's also offers catering and delivery starting at 4 p.m. About 12 minutes from Tanglewood Apartments.  


Enjoy Erie's Best Pizza from Home  

Erie's pizza scene covers every style and craving, and living in the Millcreek area means all of these spots are a quick drive or delivery order away. If you're looking for apartments in Erie, PA, check out Tanglewood Apartments. Located in the Millcreek neighborhood just minutes from downtown, Tanglewood offers 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom townhomes with double-galley kitchen layouts, shaker cabinetry, and modern finishes throughout. The community is pet-friendly with an enclosed dog park, and mature trees line the property for a quiet, wooded feel. Schedule a tour today and see the community for yourself. 

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