Ask anyone from Ohio how pizza should be cut, and there is a good chance you will hear one word: squares. Across the state, thin and crispy pies get sliced into little party-cut pieces that are easy to grab, easy to share, and very easy to keep eating.
Some of the best places doing it have been run by the same families for generations, with recipes passed down along with the keys. This list covers six of those long-running parlors, from Dayton to Steubenville to the Mahoning Valley.
A few have been baking since the 1940s, and each one has its own regional style, from cracker-thin crust to tray-baked squares served at room temperature. You will find practical details like hours and parking, plus the specialties that make each stop different.
Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who still insists on triangles.
1. Joe’s Pizzeria, Dayton, OH
Dayton has its own pizza style, and Joe’s Pizzeria on Airway Road has been serving it since 1959. That means more than six decades of thin, crispy crust cut into small squares.
The parlor is known for loading on toppings like pepperoni, bacon, onion, and mushrooms while keeping the sauce and topping balance in check. It is a classic, old-school spot with counter service and a casual, quiet dining room.
The menu goes past pizza, too. Pasta and sandwiches share space with boneless wings, steak subs, sausage subs, and garlic bread with cheese.
I would plan this one for a weekday, since Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. Joe’s is closed Mondays, opens at 10 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and opens at noon on Sunday.
There is no delivery, so you will be picking up or eating in. The good news is that parking is free, with a lot and street spaces nearby, and most per-person tabs land in the $10 to $20 range.
2. DiCarlo’s Pizza – Downtown Steubenville, Steubenville, OH
Steubenville has been buying pizza by the square from DiCarlo’s since 1945. Roughly eight decades later, the downtown shop on Adams Street is run by the third generation of the family.
The style here is pure Ohio Valley. Pizza is baked in rectangular trays and cut into squares with a light, extra crispy crust, bright sauce, and mellow cheese.
Squares have been sold for around 90 cents each, which makes it easy to order a few or a whole tray for the group. The white pizza is another menu favorite, and hoagies round things out.
Think of this as a grab-and-go stop. There are no restrooms and no table service, so most people take their order to go.
Timing matters with this one. Hours run noon to 7:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and 2 to 7:30 PM on Saturday, and the shop is closed Sunday and Monday.
3. Plaza Pizza – Newark, Newark, OH
Apple pizza is not something you expect from a thin-crust specialist, but Plaza Pizza in Newark has it on the menu. That dessert pie is one of several reasons this family-run shop has stayed busy since 1971.
The main attraction is a cracker-thin crust with a well-spiced sauce, cut into Ohio-style squares. Meat lovers and BBQ chicken pizzas are popular picks, and you can even add a side of anchovies.
Torpedo subs, toasted ravioli, mozzarella sticks, and garlic bread fill out the rest of the order.
Plaza is an evening operation. It opens at 4:30 PM most days and at 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, staying open until 10 PM on weekends.
Pickup is simple, with curbside service and a free on-site lot. Delivery and catering are also available, which is handy since there are no restrooms for dine-in guests.
4. Ron’s Pizza, Miamisburg, OH
Here is a tip for your first visit: ask for the crust crispy and well done. Fans of Ron’s Pizza have been ordering it that way in downtown Miamisburg since the Holp family opened the doors in 1964.
The address is 1 S Main St, right in the city’s historic area. The building has a tavern-style setup with plenty of indoor space and an outdoor patio.
The pizza is classic southwestern Ohio thin crust, cut into small squares, with a slightly sweet sauce and generous toppings. A small deluxe is a reliable order.
Ron’s has the biggest menu on this list. You will find sandwiches, comfort food, a Santa Fe taco salad, and even a kids’ menu.
Table service, delivery, and high chairs make it easy for families. It also has TVs for sports, and the hours run later on weekends, until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday.
5. Tommy’s Pizza, Columbus, OH
When people talk about Columbus-style pizza, Tommy’s usually comes up early in the conversation. The Iacono family has been running it since 1952.
The pies are baked in a brick oven with a cracker crust and cut into crispy squares. Pepperoni curls into little cups as it bakes, and the sausage and onion pizza is a longtime standard.
Beyond pizza, there are familiar Italian entrees, plus Italian and meatball subs. That makes it an easy pick when not everyone wants the same thing.
The Lane Avenue location is close to the Ohio State area. It is open 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 4 to 10 PM on Sunday.
You can sit down, grab carryout, or get delivery. There is also a private dining room for larger gatherings and free parking in the lot and on the street.
6. The Elmton, Struthers, OH
Pizza and broasted chicken make a strong team in Struthers. The Elmton has served both on 5th Street since 1945.
This pizza is different from the other stops on the list. It is a thicker Mahoning Valley pan-style pie, crispy on the bottom and cut into squares, and you can order by the slice or the whole pie.
The broasted chicken gets just as much attention. Handmade french fries, wings, baked beans, and butter and onion pierogies show off the region’s comfort food side.
The family-owned restaurant offers table service, a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a private dining room. It is a good spot for a big group meal.
Plan around the schedule, since The Elmton is closed Sunday and Monday. It opens at 11 AM the rest of the week and stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, with free parking available.
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