Ask anyone from Dayton or Columbus how pizza should be cut, and you might get a surprisingly strong opinion. In much of Ohio, a round pie is sliced into a grid of small squares, not wedges.
Fans call it tavern cut, party cut, or just the normal way. Everybody gets a crispy corner piece or a cheesy middle bite, so it makes sharing easy.
The shops on this list range from a parlor that opened in 1959 to a newer spot that puts its own spin on the style. A few have been feeding the same neighborhoods for decades.
Others are proof that the square cut is still catching on. If you grew up on this kind of pizza, these names may bring back memories.
If you did not, here are five good places to see what the fuss is about.
1. Marion’s Piazza, Dayton, OH
Say “Marion’s” around Dayton and people know exactly what you mean. This long-running local chain built its name on thin-crust round pies cut into small squares, and the Shroyer Road location keeps that tradition front and center.
The sausage pizza is the order many regulars swear by. Marion’s Super Cheese is a solid vegetarian pick, and the menu also branches into pasta, salads, and sandwiches.
The steak sandwich has its own following. So does the tuna boat, which comes in a portion big enough to stretch into a second meal.
Inside, the room leans into a 1970s look, with decor that celebrates local stage stars. It is counter service, so you order up front and grab a seat.
Families will find high chairs, and the spot is a popular choice for kids’ birthdays. There is also a private dining room for larger groups.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Weekend evenings get busy, so a quiet Wednesday night is a smart time to slip in.
2. Joe’s Pizzeria, Dayton, OH
Since 1959, Joe’s Pizzeria has been handing out pizza on Airway Road. That is more than six decades of square cuts in the same Dayton neighborhood.
The pizza here is extremely thin and topped with crumbled ground sausage. Toppings go on generously, and the sauce is a big part of the appeal.
Pepperoni fans should know it crisps up nicely. Taken together, it is a strong example of what many people simply call Dayton-style pizza.
Beyond pies, the menu covers sausage subs, steak subs, boneless wings, and garlic bread with cheese. Ordering happens at the counter, and the dining room has a casual, old-school feel.
A few practical notes help here. Joe’s is closed Mondays, does not take reservations, and does not deliver, so plan on dining in or picking up.
Hours are 10 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 9 PM on Sunday. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds.
3. Terita’s Pizza, Columbus, OH
Toppings all the way to the edge. That one detail tells you Terita’s is serving true Columbus-style pizza.
The family-run carryout on Cleveland Avenue has been at it for more than 50 years. Its pies are thin, crispy, square cut, and loaded with sausage and pepperoni from rim to rim.
The sauce has a bold, well-seasoned flavor that stands up to all those toppings. If you want even more, Extra Cheese or Extra Meat is right there on the menu.
Terita’s Meat Lovers is the go-big choice. The Pizza Sub and garlic bread with cheese round things out for anyone who wants a side.
This is a takeout-focused shop with counter service and no restroom, so think of it as a grab-and-go stop. Free parking makes pickups easy.
Doors open at 4 PM daily. Closing is 9:30 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, with Friday evening being the busiest stretch.
4. Ohio Pie Co., Parma, OH
Here is a pizza shop that hands you a choice most places never offer. At Ohio Pie Co., pies come in squares, or you can ask for one unsliced and cut it however you like at home.
Wedges are not the default here. The square cut is the house style, which fits right in with the shop’s Ohio-proud name.
Plant-based eaters get real attention too. The Parma shop has a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu, which is not something every neighborhood pizza place can claim.
For a familiar order, a pepperoni and black olive pie is a popular pick. Save room, because specialty cookies are part of the lineup.
Weekend hours are a little unusual. The shop opens at 9 AM on Saturday and Sunday, with breakfast and brunch on offer, and those mornings get busy.
Ohio Pie Co. is closed Mondays and does not deliver or take reservations. A free lot on Ridge Road usually has room.
5. Brenz Pizza Co. Columbus, Columbus, OH
Not every square-cut pie has to be cracker thin. Brenz Pizza Co. at Lennox Town proves the grid works on a thicker, softer crust too.
The Loaded Pep and Cheese is the one to know. It piles extra cheese and pepperoni onto that square-cut crust and finishes it with crushed red pepper flakes.
Dough is made from scratch, and the sauce gets a touch of heritage honey without turning sweet. If you want full control, Your Pizza Your Way lets you build your own.
The breadsticks deserve a spot on the table, topped with crisped cheese. Jumbo wings and a chef salad also fill out the menu.
The space is clean and casual, with wide-screen TVs, high chairs, and dogs allowed outside. It works well for families, groups, and college students from nearby campus.
Brenz is open 11 AM to 9 PM every day, with a free on-site lot. Delivery and catering are both available if you would rather bring the squares to your crowd.
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