AND THE WINNERS ARE…
People’s Choice: Juliano’s
Online Votes: Juliano’s
Judge’s Pick: Pizzeria Davide
More than 200 hungry pizza lovers descended on the Mall at Robinson to sample and vote for their favorite west suburban slice May 21.
The Cheesiest Pizza Contest, hosted by Gazette 2.0 and YaJagoff! Media, was a rousing success with six area pizzerias setting up shop in the mall’s rotunda and serving up their best slices of plain pizza to the gathered crowd.
Attendees tasted each pizza and voted for their favorites, while judges Kelly and Elista of 100.7 STAR and Jamie Wiggan, “Editor in Cheese,” took a deep dive scoring the pizzas they sampled based on crust, cheese, sauce, appearance and overall taste. From that, a judge’s pick was named.
Longtime Robinson Township favorite Juliano’s Restaurant and Pizzeria took away the People’s Choice Award and was named Gazette 2.0’s Online Reader’s Choice for crust, sauce and toppings.
While Pittsburgh newcomer Pizzeria Davide, with locations in the Strip, Carnegie and Robinson got the nod from judges, beating out Juliano’s by just one point.
Nick Scalise, owner of Juliano’s, and his team were pumped to win not just one but two awards.
A "neighborhood staple" to the people of Robinson and greater McKees Rocks area, Juliano's opened on Steubenville Pike in 1978. Scalise said he is thankful for the outpouring of community support and for a "family support system and [Juliano's] staff being there through the thick and thin of things, especially getting us through the pandemic" and ongoing supply chain issues.
During the post-judging discussion, Elista referred to Juliano’s as the “best Pittsburgh style” offering in the competition. Kelly agreed.
“If there was a visitor coming in from out of town, I’d take them to Julianos. This is the most authentic to the city,” she said.
Pizzeria Davide (The correct pronunciation is "Dah-Vee-Deh.") owner Dave Anoia was excited to receive Judge’s Choice accolades.
“I’m so happy the people like it. It’s a different style where the cheese is on the bottom and the sauce is on top,” he said.
Other participants in the event include: It’s a Pizza Cake, McKees Rocks; Mama Lena’s II, Stowe; Zuko’s Pizza, Coraopolis; and Auntie Anne’s, Robinson.
Publisher’s note: Gazette 2.0 extends a heartfelt thanks to all the attendees, the participants, Shelley Matheys-Yugar at Mall at Robinson, John Chamberlin and Rachael Rennebeck at YaJagoff! Media, Kelly and Elista at 100.7 Star and former Gazette 2.0 Editor-in-Cheese Jamie Wiggan for all the help in making this event a rousing success.