Friday night in a Pennsylvania house usually meant one thing: somebody grabbed the phone and called the pizza shop. These are the places that showed up in cardboard boxes on kitchen tables from Philadelphia to Erie, year after year.
Some bake thin tomato pies in old brick ovens, and others cut square trays that only make sense if you grew up near them. Every shop on this list is still open, so you can taste that Friday feeling all over again or pass it down to your own crew.
1. Tacconelli’s Pizza, Philadelphia, PA
Some Philly families didn’t order one pie on Friday. They ordered three, and Tacconelli’s was the corner joint that made it happen.
The shop on East Somerset Street has been baking for decades in an original brick oven. The thin, crispy crust is the whole point, and the signature tomato pie keeps things simple with sauce leading the way.
A plain red pie is also on the menu for anyone who wants a classic.
Planning matters here. Reservations are recommended, there is usually a wait, and hours are short: closed Monday and Tuesday, with Friday and Saturday running 4 to 9 PM.
The vibe is casual and historic, with high chairs for little ones and a private dining room for bigger groups. Takeout and delivery are available too, which is exactly how plenty of neighborhood kids first met this pizza.
2. Arcaro and Genell, Old Forge, PA, Old Forge, PA
Old Forge calls itself pizza country, and the square trays at Arcaro and Genell explain why. Nobody here asks for a slice.
You order by the cut or the tray.
The specialty is Old Forge-style pizza in both red and white versions. The red has a light crust and tangy sauce, while the double-crusted white is the one people make a point to grab whenever they come home to town.
The South Main Street spot is casual and family-friendly, with a kids’ menu, quick service, and dessert like tiramisu and cannoli. Stuffed white pizza and antipasto make good starters for a group.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and Friday evenings get busy. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and until 6 PM on Sunday.
3. Mineo’s Pizza House, Pittsburgh, PA
Ask a Pittsburgher where they first ate pizza, and Squirrel Hill comes up a lot. Mineo’s has been part of Murray Avenue life long enough to feel like a neighborhood landmark.
The pies are known for a thicker crust, real cheese, and toppings that don’t hold back, with pepperoni and provolone as a favorite combo. You can grab a slice or a whole pie, plus Sicilian and white varieties.
The menu stretches past pizza into hoagies, pastas, chicken parm, manicotti, and wings. A kids’ menu and high chairs keep it easy for families.
Here’s the late-night bonus: Friday and Saturday hours run until midnight. Parking can be tricky on Murray Avenue, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
4. Pizza By Pappas, Scranton, PA
Look up when you walk in. Toy trains run overhead at Pizza By Pappas, and old photos of Scranton line the walls, which makes it a hit with kids before the food even arrives.
The pizza is pan-style, and it holds up with or without toppings. Grinders are the other big draw, from turkey and tuna versions on fresh rolls to cheesesteaks and wing bites.
Ordering happens at the counter on North Washington Avenue, and there’s no table service. Takeout and delivery are both options.
Plan ahead for the schedule. Pappas is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday, so Friday is prime time.
5. Vincenza’s Italian Pizzeria & Trattoria, Bethlehem, PA
Family-run shops have a way of becoming part of your family’s routine. Vincenza’s on Linden Street is that kind of place for plenty of Lehigh Valley households.
The pizza leans New York-style with a light, airy crust. Sicilian pies, fresh mozzarella, and chicken parm round out the Italian side, while wings and Philly cheesesteaks cover the rest of the weekend cravings.
Fast delivery and fair prices make it an easy call on a busy night. A kids’ menu, high chairs, and a free parking lot help if you’d rather eat in.
Hours start at 10:30 AM most days and run until 9:30 PM Thursday through Saturday. Sundays open at 1 PM.
6. House of Pizza, Lancaster, PA
Since 1986, House of Pizza has been serving downtown Lancaster from a historic cast-iron storefront on West Chestnut Street. That’s nearly four decades of Friday orders.
The crust is fresh with a good balance of cheese and sauce, and toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and bacon get spread evenly. Subs, cheesesteaks, stromboli, and salads fill out the menu.
Counter service keeps things quick. A kids’ menu and high chairs are on hand.
It also stays open later than most, until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Delivery and takeout are available, and reservations are not.
7. Valerio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Erie, PA
Up in Erie, a family sauce recipe can earn a lot of loyalty. Valerio’s on West 32nd Street has built its following on exactly that, paired with a light crust.
Portions are generous, and the menu covers pizza, pasta, and wings. A gluten-free pizza means nobody at the table gets left out.
The dining room is simple, comfortable, and fairly quiet. Kids’ menu, high chairs, and plenty of parking make family dinners easy.
Friday and Saturday hours run until 11 PM. For many former Erie residents, this was the go-to delivery call, and it still delivers today.
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