Alliance pizza shop slices its way onto New York Times readers’ list of favorites

ALLIANCE ? The New York Times has spotlighted an Alliance pizza shop in a reader-curated list of 15 top pizza places worldwide.

Victorio’s Pizza, 711 S. Arch Ave., is the sole representative from Ohio on the list of "15 of Our Readers’ Favorite Pizza Places Around the World."

Recognizing that pizza can be “the most divisive and inflammatory topic to be found in modern America,” the Times turned to its readers for recommendations on the best slices around the globe.

The New York Times staff received more than 1,000 responses that recapped both favorite slices and nostalgic experiences. The final 15 range from Lithuania to Mexico, Oklahoma to Australia, Kyoto to Peru, and yes, Alliance, Ohio.

Energize you day: Grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches at Stark spots offer variety

N.Y. Times reader recommends Victorio's Pizza

In the submission that secured Victorio’s Pizza’s place on the final list, former Alliance resident Alan Matthys, now of St. Petersburg, Florida, praised the sausage and mushroom pie.

“It is a thin crust, square-cut pizza, to-go. The crust is not crunchy; the small squares are foldable except for the corners.”

Matthys added that the toppings are placed between the sauce and the cheese, noting that the sauce has a bright acidity, suggesting it’s cooked briefly, if at all, and the chunks of sausage with plenty of fennel provide a savory finish. One of the most distinctive features of Victorio’s Pizza, he noted, is its packaging in a paper bag that stays inflated with the pizza’s heat, sealing in the taste.

Victorio's, owned by husband and wife team Chris and Danielle Marazza since 2001, has been a fixture in Alliance. The Marazza family, lifelong residents of Alliance, grew up enjoying Victorio’s Pizza.

Stark County chef feature: Demond Germany brings skill, creative touch to Scratch Steakhouse

“My husband, Chris, has always wanted to own and run a food business, and when we found out that Victorio’s Pizza was for sale back in 2001, we just had to buy it,” Danielle Marazza said via a phone interview. “We wanted to keep the tradition going and hopefully keep the business in our family for future generations.”

Danielle Marazza praised their employees, both current and former.

“As a small business, we’re only as good as our employees, and we are so lucky to have the best. They work hard every day.” The dedication enabled them to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without missing a day.

Although neither of the Marazzas have met Alan Matthys, the reader who submitted the information to The New York Times, they have reached out to invite him to share a pie next time he visits Alliance.

“It’s simply thrilling to be part of this list. We’re excited when our customers get excited,” Danielle Marazza said.

Reach Bev at [email protected] or 330-580-8318.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance, Ohio pizza shop makes New York Times list of favorites