Tucked away in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, the small borough of Old Forge has earned a jaw-dropping title: the Pizza Capital of the World. With a population of just over 8,500 people, this quiet town sits only five miles southwest of Scranton, yet it draws visitors from across the country.
What makes Old Forge so special is its one-of-a-kind pizza style that you simply cannot find anywhere else. If you love pizza, this town belongs at the very top of your travel list.
The Unique Old Forge Pizza Style
Forget everything you think you know about pizza. Old Forge pizza plays by its own rules, and that is exactly what makes it so irresistible.
The crust is soft and pillowy, almost like focaccia bread, baked in rectangular pans that give each slice a satisfying, doughy bite.
What really sets it apart is the cheese. Most Old Forge pizzerias use a blend that includes white American cheese, which melts into a creamy, slightly tangy layer unlike anything you have tasted on a traditional pie.
The sauce tends to be chunky and robust, packed with real tomato flavor.
Locals order their pizza by the tray, not by the slice, which adds a fun communal feel to the whole experience. First-time visitors are almost always shocked by how different and delicious it is.
Old Forge pizza is truly a category of its own.
Revello’s Cafe: A Legendary Local Institution
Some restaurants become famous because of a clever marketing campaign. Revello’s Cafe became famous because the pizza is simply that good.
Open since 1945, this family-run spot on Main Street is one of the oldest and most beloved pizzerias in Old Forge, drawing loyal customers generation after generation.
Walking through the door feels like stepping back in time. The atmosphere is unpretentious and warm, with the kind of friendly service that makes you feel like a regular even on your very first visit.
The menu is focused and straightforward, built around their legendary trays of Old Forge-style pizza.
Regulars swear by their red pizza, which features a deeply flavored sauce and that signature creamy cheese blend. Reservations are not always possible, so arriving early is a smart move.
Revello’s is not just a meal stop; it is a full-on Old Forge experience worth planning your trip around.
Arcaro and Genell: Where Tradition Meets Perfection
Ask any Old Forge local to name their favorite pizzeria, and there is a very good chance Arcaro and Genell will come up. This iconic spot has been serving the community since 1962, and it has perfected the art of Old Forge pizza over decades of dedicated craft.
The restaurant has a cozy, old-school Italian-American charm that feels genuine rather than staged. Checkered tablecloths, warm lighting, and the smell of fresh-baked dough greet you at the door.
Their pizza features that classic soft crust with a generous layer of blended cheese that stretches beautifully with every bite.
Beyond pizza, the menu includes pasta dishes and other Italian-American favorites that round out a satisfying meal. Whether you are stopping in for a quick lunch or settling in for a long family dinner, Arcaro and Genell delivers comfort food at its absolute finest.
This place is a true Old Forge treasure.
The Famous White Pizza of Old Forge
Red sauce pizza gets a lot of attention, but the white pizza of Old Forge is a revelation all on its own. Locals often call it the purest expression of what Old Forge-style pizza is really about, because without a sauce to compete, the cheese and crust take center stage in the most delicious way possible.
The white pizza typically features that signature blend of white American cheese, sometimes mixed with ricotta or other varieties, layered over the soft, oil-kissed dough. The result is rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying without being heavy or greasy.
A light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of seasoning complete the picture.
Many first-time visitors order the red and white side by side to compare, and quite a few leave with white pizza as their new favorite. It is simple, honest, and outrageously good.
Old Forge white pizza deserves its own fan club.
The History Behind the Pizza Capital of the World
Old Forge did not accidentally become the Pizza Capital of the World. The story behind this remarkable title is rooted in the waves of Italian immigrants who arrived in northeastern Pennsylvania during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Many came to work in the coal mines, bringing their culinary traditions along with them.
As these families settled into the community, they opened small restaurants and bakeries, adapting their home recipes to local ingredients. Over time, a distinctive regional pizza style emerged that reflected both Italian heritage and Pennsylvania practicality.
The rectangular pan, the soft crust, and the unique cheese blend all evolved from this creative blending of cultures.
Today, Old Forge proudly embraces its pizza history as a point of community identity. The title Pizza Capital of the World is not just a marketing slogan; it is a genuine reflection of a culinary legacy built over more than a century of tradition and passion.
Ghigiarelli’s Restaurant: A Hidden Gem Worth Seeking Out
Every great pizza town has a few spots that fly just under the radar, and Ghigiarelli’s is exactly that kind of hidden gem. Tucked into the Old Forge community with little fanfare, this family-operated restaurant has been quietly serving outstanding pizza for years, earning fierce loyalty from those lucky enough to discover it.
The atmosphere here leans casual and welcoming, the kind of place where families gather after a long week to share a tray and catch up. Their pizza hits all the classic Old Forge notes: soft, chewy crust, creamy melted cheese, and a sauce with real depth of flavor.
Nothing feels rushed or mass-produced.
Visitors who make the effort to seek out Ghigiarelli’s often say it rivals any of the more well-known spots in town. Sometimes the best meals come from the places with the smallest signs out front.
This one is absolutely worth adding to your Old Forge pizza crawl itinerary.
Planning Your Old Forge Pizza Crawl
One pizzeria is never enough in Old Forge. Serious pizza fans plan what locals affectionately call a pizza crawl, hopping from one iconic spot to another across the compact borough to compare styles, toppings, and techniques.
Since Old Forge is a small town, most of the major pizzerias are within easy driving distance of each other.
A smart strategy is to order half trays at each stop so you can sample more without overeating too quickly. Bring a group of friends or family, because pizza trays are meant to be shared and the more people you have, the more variety you can try.
Pace yourself and drink plenty of water between stops.
Weekend visits tend to be busier, so arriving at off-peak hours like early lunch can help you avoid long waits. Many locals recommend visiting in the fall when the crowds thin out but the pizza is just as magnificent.
Old Forge rewards the adventurous eater.
What Makes Old Forge Cheese Blends So Special
Here is a fun fact that surprises most pizza newcomers: the cheese used in Old Forge pizza is not your typical mozzarella. Many of the town’s pizzerias use white American cheese, either alone or blended with other varieties, creating a melt that is smoother, creamier, and slightly saltier than what most people expect from a pizza topping.
This choice was not an accident. Early Italian-American families in the region worked with what was affordable and locally available, and American cheese fit the bill perfectly.
Over generations, it became the defining characteristic of Old Forge pizza, loved so much that no one ever thought to change it.
The result is a cheese pull that is genuinely spectacular and a flavor profile that feels both familiar and completely new at the same time. If you have ever thought you were a mozzarella-only person, Old Forge cheese blends might just change your mind for good.
Exploring Old Forge Beyond the Pizza
Pizza is the headliner, but Old Forge has more going for it than just incredible food. The borough itself is a charming, tight-knit community with a relaxed, small-town atmosphere that feels refreshingly unhurried compared to nearby Scranton.
Strolling through the quiet neighborhoods gives you a real sense of authentic Pennsylvania life.
The surrounding Lackawanna County region offers plenty of activities for visitors who want to extend their stay. Nearby attractions include Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, the Pocono Mountains for outdoor adventures, and several state parks ideal for hiking and picnicking during warmer months.
Old Forge itself has a community feel that makes wandering around genuinely pleasant. Local shops, friendly residents, and a strong sense of neighborhood pride all add to the experience.
Combining a pizza-focused visit with a broader exploration of the region makes for a trip that is both delicious and genuinely memorable. Old Forge is a full experience, not just a meal.
The Role of Family-Owned Pizzerias in Old Forge Culture
Walk into almost any pizzeria in Old Forge and you will notice something that chain restaurants can never replicate: the unmistakable feeling of family. Most of the iconic spots in town have been passed down through generations, with recipes guarded carefully and techniques taught by grandparents to grandchildren over decades of shared kitchen time.
This family ownership model means that quality is deeply personal. The people making your pizza have a real stake in how it tastes, because their family name is on the door and their community reputation depends on every tray that comes out of the oven.
That kind of pride produces food that is consistently outstanding.
It also creates a dining atmosphere that feels genuinely warm and personal. Staff often recognize regular customers by name, remember their usual orders, and treat first-time visitors like old friends.
In a world of corporate restaurant chains, Old Forge’s family-run pizzerias feel like a wonderful and rare throwback to a better era of dining.
How Old Forge Pizza Compares to Other Regional Styles
Pizza lovers know that regional styles matter enormously. New York has its giant foldable slices, Chicago has its deep-dish casseroles, Detroit has its crispy-edged square pies, and Old Forge has something entirely its own.
Understanding where Old Forge pizza fits in the broader pizza universe makes tasting it even more exciting.
Unlike Detroit-style pizza, which shares the rectangular shape, Old Forge pizza has a softer, less caramelized crust and uses a very different cheese blend. Compared to New York pizza, it is thicker and chewier, with none of that characteristic crispiness.
Against Chicago deep-dish, it is lighter and less overwhelmingly sauced.
Old Forge pizza occupies a truly unique space in American pizza culture, drawing from Italian immigrant roots while developing its own regional identity over more than a century. Food writers and pizza enthusiasts who have made the pilgrimage consistently say it deserves far more national recognition.
Honestly, they are not wrong at all.
Getting to Old Forge from Major Cities
Old Forge is easier to reach than many people realize, which makes a pizza pilgrimage very achievable for visitors from across the Northeast. The borough sits about 130 miles north of Philadelphia and roughly 120 miles west of New York City, making it a realistic day trip or weekend getaway from either major metro area.
From New York City, the most common route follows Interstate 80 west and then connects to Interstate 380 north toward Scranton, with Old Forge just minutes beyond. From Philadelphia, Interstate 476 north provides a straightforward path into the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre corridor.
The drive through northeastern Pennsylvania is particularly scenic during the fall foliage season.
Scranton Wilkes-Barre International Airport is the closest major airport for those flying in from farther away. Rental cars are the most practical option once you arrive, since Old Forge is a small borough best explored by car.
The journey is genuinely part of the fun when the destination involves this much amazing pizza.
Why Old Forge Should Be on Every Pizza Lover’s Bucket List
Some food destinations earn their reputation through hype. Old Forge earned its reputation one tray at a time, over more than a hundred years of feeding neighbors, welcoming strangers, and perfecting a pizza style that exists nowhere else on earth.
That kind of authenticity is increasingly rare and deeply worth seeking out.
For pizza enthusiasts who think they have tried every style worth knowing, Old Forge is a humbling and thrilling surprise. The soft crust, the creamy cheese blend, the robust sauce, and the communal tray-sharing tradition combine into an experience that is about so much more than just eating.
It is about connecting with a living piece of American culinary history.
Whether you make the trip specifically for the pizza or stumble upon Old Forge during a broader Pennsylvania road trip, the borough will leave a lasting impression. Great food has a way of creating memories that stick around long after the meal is finished.
Old Forge pizza is exactly that kind of unforgettable experience.
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