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Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
2128 Murray Ave
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Has been my favorite pizza in Pittsburgh for half a decade. Lots of cheese, sweet sauce, and a unique crust.
4 stars as I wish it was a little less expensive, but that's not to say you don't get your money's worth!
As compared to Aiello's Pizza down the street, at least Mineo's looks like a pizza shop! The decor was typical of the kind of pizza places I grew up with, so that was definitely a plus.
The pizza itself was decent. Nothing special, but not bad either. If pressed, I would go again, but this certainly wouldn't be a pizza joint I jump for the chance to visit.
Still my favorite pizza of all time. Ok Za in SF is a close runner-up. Pizza is definitely not for those who are lactose intolerant and they douse the pizza with what seems like a half pound of fresh mozzarella, but it's an amazing treat. They sell the pizza by the slice, but its not as good as when you order an entire pizza where they bury all the toppings under the cheese. There must be something about everything baking together that makes it taste so good. They've been in business for 50 years now so I'm"m definitely in the majority on this one.
And yeah, shop hasn't been renovated in decades and the photos of the toddlers on the wall are grown and probably have their own toddlers, but to me it's apart of the charm. Besides, who goes to a pizza shop for the decor and ambiance?
Ok, this is definitely my favorite pizza joint of all time, and you know that you are truly special… Read more »
Best Pizza, bar none, in the city. A gooey, greasy, incredibly flavorful pie (thin crust of course). I used to drive one home all the time when I lived in Ohio. I had to put the pizza in the trunk ('cause in the backseat it was torture driving home). If ya haven't had a "cut", go NOW.
Cheese was pure solid, too salty, and half an inch thick. Way too greasy, partially from being too cold, partially from just being greasy. Crust was pretty good. A major plus is that it actually looks and feels like a pizza place inside.
Mineo's was the first great pizza place in the Squirrel Hill area...now it's mighty questionable. I agree completely with Hasina D., when I was growing up in Pittsburgh, this place was 10 stars...as I got older, I realized the cheese was way too salty and generally too greasy (as other reviews have noted). By the time I was a senior in high school, I stopped going here. Suddenly all of the old smiling staff was gone and hired in their place was a bunch guys who you wouldn't want to turn down a dark alley way and run into.
I will sum up a lot of the same complaints that other reviews have also pointed out:
- Salty/greasy cheese
- Dirty tables/floor/kitchen
- Very poor service & attitude
Here's how I'll put it...Would you want to go to the dirty, poorly lit and rude pizza place or the bright, recently renovated, clean place up the block?
And the correct answer is: Go to Aiello's instead...it's right up the block.
This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life. I've had pizza in NYC (lived there in my youth), Italy, Chicago, you name it, I've hit up the big pizza places.
This is by far the best pizza I have ever had in my life. I've been vegetarian for over three years and I still dream about their pepperoni pizza and desperately crave it.
A word to the wise. There is no fricken ambiance in this facility. But who the hell asks for ambiance from a pizza joint?
Hell, maybe the next time I am in Pittsburgh I will give up giving up meat to eat a pepperoni pie here.
Can you get a better endorsement than that? I think not. Go and enjoy the pizza, save some of your crust to dip in the oil that is left. This isn't a health conscious pizza place, but who eats pizza for their health? Splurge and enjoy!
I don't see the attraction. This place DEFINES "living on past glory"
For pizza, its not cheap.
The pizza doesn't taste all that good and is greasy at best.
The place has not been renovated since the 70's and it shows.
Darn good pizza. They only take cash.. no debit cards. I am torn between four stars or five. Christopher's in Jeanette, PA is still my favorite but Mineo's is darn good as well. If Mineo's were in Texas .. it would hands down be a five so I'll go with five.
Not as wonderful as natives to these parts make it out to be. Plus what is with the baby slices? A big let down if you ask me...
Really good pizza but, not as good as Napoli's up the street. On the other hand, their ice cream is great! Parking can be a pain at times!
Growing up this place was a 10 star. 3 years ago this place was at least a 4 1/2 if not 5. Now like all good things Mineo's quality has come to an end. It was and has always been a dirty little spot. The dirt makes it taste better. But the sausage on my pie was chewy and weird. Like I got the cheap meat. Sigh... I had waited 3 years. Now this is no longer a special place just your average PGH pie.
I'm originally from the midwest, so I have an affection for deep dish. I dislike most nyc style pizzas. I don't know if you would call mineos nyc style, but its the best east coast pizza I've eaten since I've been here. the crust had more flavor than other places I've been too, the cheesy is thick and gooey and the pepperoni plentiful, all great.
The place is kinda messy, but for a 50yr old establishment I've seen worse.
If this is the best pizza in Pittsburgh, I'm preparing to be sorely disappointed by this town. I just moved in a few blocks away and thought I'd check it out, since everyone's been saying this is the best in town. These guys must be coasting on their reputation, because I would have been better off walking up to Giant Eagle and buying a frozen pizza.
The crust is good, and the sauce is okay, but the cheese and pepperoni were just plain nasty. On top of that, the seating area is dirty - I was there 30 minutes and didn't see anyone come out to wipe down tables, and this was on a moderately busy Saturday evening. The service is pretty snippy, too, and they only take cash. Not really any bright spots here.
BEST greasy, cheesy, gooey pizza evarrrrrr! Definitely hits the spot when I'm in search for a pizza fix. The pizza does taste much better if eaten at the joint hot out of the oven since the crust will be crispy, but the quality and taste aren't exactly all that jeopardized if it's taken to go. Either way, the sausage pizza definitely tantalizes my taste buds!
Ah, yes. Mineo's. Living in San Francisco now, I can no longer indulge in some of the best pizza I've ever had. I can't tell you enough how much I miss it!
This was the first pizza that I ever ate with pepperoni UNDER THE CHEESE. Yet it still maintains its paper-plate-soaking greasy goodness.
I'm a boring gal, so my favorite pizza is just plain ol' pepperoni. But Mineo's cheese has a great consistensy - thick but not drippy, together but not congealed.
I wish, I wish I could have just one slice....just one slice today, and that would make my week.
It took me a long time to "get" this place. Like 5 years.
I don't love spicy tomato sauce on a pizza (and this is spicy and oregano-y) and the crust is bright yellow!! But in time I found I loved this pizza. Quality ingredients, a fair deal, quick, fresh pies, BYOB, a friendly, low-key atmosphere.
Strange, and definitely Pittsburgh.
UPDATE: I can't believe I forgot to mention the amazing discovery I had right before I left Pittsburgh - the tiramisu at Mineo's is pretty good. Maybe a little too sweet, but it does not taste like the fridge. At this price, and in this town (sad but true), that's saying a lot. For example, at the famous Dish the desserts taste like the fridge.
Oh, and the ice cream is not exactly quality, but I liked it. If you are serious about mint, the peppermint patty is an experience.
Mineo's is hands down the best pizza I have ever eaten. Pittsburgh has almost as many pizza shops per square mile as bars and churches, but none of them can compare to Mineo's.
There's nothing like sliding into one of their oddly uncomfortable booths with a few friends, grabbing a grape soda from the machine and lovingly dabbing the grease off the top of a Mineo's pizza.
I have been dying to try Mineo's for two years. Finally, after helping my girlfriend and her roommate move into their new apartment we decided to treat ourselves to Mineo's.
We go in, its pretty busy, order two pizzas, one cheese and one pepperoni and we wait about 15 minutes (the place is very busy as expected) and voila we get them.
I have never been so overwhelmed by so much cheese and grease in my life. Two feelings came over me after eating 1 slice of Mineo's pizza: I was going to fall on the floor and die of an immediate heart attack and the other, I felt like a fat greasy pig. The pepperoni was covered in 2 thick layers of greasy cheese, it must have been 5 inches thick. Ummm, gross!!!
Mineo's has quickly become one of my favorite pizza places in Pittsburgh. I usually only go here for slices, because ordering a full pie is too many calories to have around the house (and my wife is pretty much vegan so she doesn't go for the cheese...)
What makes their pizza stand out from other pizza places is that is tastes homemade. Their crust is fabulous and crispy and their sauce is fantastic. Plus, they are open late and most people in Mineo's are quite nice!
I am updating my listing to add the following:
If you go to Mineos, bring cash. They don't accept credit cards!
Fat and calorie conscious eaters beware! This is one time when blotting the grease of your pizza just isn't worth it. Mineo's pies are succulent, flavorful, crispy delicious-ness.
If you're wondering how pizza can make your life more meaningful, try their white pizza.
My favorite pizza on Earth, period. I've been in the Bay for almost 5 years and I still haven't found any place I like as much (the person who said Pizza My Heart was better should be committed to a mental institute). Any time I'm back in Pittsburgh I have to stop by for a few slices. As of my review, I'm the 8th person from the Bay Area writing a review, so I guess my experience isn't that unique.
When you walk in Mineo's, you immediately understand your in a classic family pizza parlor. Magazine awards and reviews line every wall. There's pictures of family members at various stages of growth. Tables and tiles with color patterns right out of 1983. And an Italian guy vying for the "Mario Look-alike" contest behind the counter tossing a pizza crust. Perfect.
As for the pizza, it's a little messy and a little on the greasy side, which is the only downside. To that end, it's a little bit of a guilty pleasure, but so worth it. A hand-tossed crust, topped with a slightly sweet tomato sauce. Toppings will sometimes be under the cheese which is a unique touch, although I'm not quite sure what the purpose it--but who cares. Cheese is in a thick layer, but quite tasty and flavorful.
Everyone in Pittsburgh has their personal favorite of the pizza places on this block and will defend their choice feverishly. I'm Mineo's through and through.
Hands down, Mineo's has the best pizza in Pittsburgh, if not the country.
The pizza is perfect, with a thick layer of cheese and a thin crispy crust. I dig the pepperoni the most, as its baked under the cheese and combines perfectly with it. Their sausage is also mad good.
If you're ever in Pittsburgh, stop here. You don't even need to go anywhere else.
i never had the pizza.
but the desserts are lovely. i had some raspberry cheesecake.
it was good.
I just don't get what people like about this place. I am not a pittsburgh native, but shortly after moving to squirrel hill I had three out-of-state friends come visit and so I decided to try out the famous Mineo's pizza I had heard so much about.
We all ate a slice or two with no one commenting on the pizza, until finally, one person said what had been on all of our minds: "hey, this isn't very good". We all agreed, and we didn't even finish the pizza. Just too much cheese and an overall low-quality taste.
Maybe we got a bad batch, I don't know, but I was completely unimpressed by this Pittsburgh legend. On another note, one of my friends really likes to go there for a late night ice cream.
Meh.
My friends rave about this place & all of its awards. I don't see what the big deal is. The sauce is good, but there's way too much cheese.
Good for a late night snack is nothing else but Eat n Park is open, but they're so slow! The trick to eating the pizza is waiting 5 minutes for it to cool first, otherwise the cheese will never stay on - unfortunately, when the pizza takes 20 minutes to get to the table at midnight, another 5 minutes seems like forever.
People who rave about this place either remember it fondly from years gone by or don't know any better. I used to eat here when I was young, but its quality has slipped. The sauce is OK, as another reviewer said, but he was right: the crust has a tasteless, cardboard-like consistency. The quality of the cheese is okay also. The pizza tends to be a little overbaked here. Still, it is not a bad choice.
Probably anyone from a good pizza town will tell you about their favorite hometown pizza. Well, this is mine. It's just different. The crust is distinctive. The mounds of cheese are distinctive. The sauce has cocaine in it or something. I just really love it. There are other great pizzas out there, but something is just different about Mineo's. Maybe it's because I have been eating it for 30 years. I dunno.
No one believes me when I say the best pizza is in Pittsburgh, but it's true. Hard to choose between Mineo's and Aiello's. But from this far away, I would say it's a tie.
It's a toss-up. It seems that a lot great, low-cost restaurants with high patronage and lots of awards in this area have one big thing in common: GREASE. The pizza tasted great, but I could feel my arteries clogging as we ate, and I think the only reason I let myself eat the whole slice was because I knew I'd be going for a long, intense bike ride afterward.
Great pizza smack in the middle of Squirrel Hill Pittsburgh. I definitely liked their made to order pizzas which gave me a nice nostalgic reminder of NYC pizzerias while at school in Pittsburgh, and as such, the best pizza I had in Pittsburgh. Not for the grease haters, but man, they can serve up a great pie.
This is one of the things I mess most from Pittsburgh. I think Mineo's is my all time favorite pizza. I only lived in the 'burgh for 4 years during college, but Mineo's will always be in my heart - or at least I'm sure it has had some long term affect on my heart. :)
It's really not that good. Trust me. I appreciate the natives' bond with this place but every time I've tried it, it has been a grease-fest. I don't really understand how people like it unless the alternative is Pizza Hut. I've actually made pizza much better than this, and I know that this is not how it is supposed to be- but, if you really want to soak the grease off your pie with napkins like you did in your school cafeteria, go here. I'm really past it.
Yum, always good pizza. Sq Hill and Mt. Lebo locations are both good to stop at. I know the Mt. Lebanon location sells cuts, I don't remember if Sq. Hill does or not? I like the plain, but the white is good as well
I mean, the pizza is edible, but not worth the calories. Boring, nasty, wouldn't go there again.
A perfect pizza pie! I wish we had this is California. The pizza in So. Cal sucks. Anyways, great service, perfect pizza.
One of the best pizzas ever eaten and I LOVE pizza!!! I miss it! The pepperonni underneath the cheese is amazing..greasy n all. Great for when you're hungover from a night out in Da Burgh...yum!
When I first moved into the area,Mineo's was one of the first pizza joints that I went to.The pizza is loaded with cheese,greasy and yea,if you like that-it's great! Me,I have found that Mineo's tends to get very filling & expensive after awhile.If you like a artery filled with grease,then go here.If you don't-I suggest you try somewhere else.The pizza is good but it is filled with tons of grease that's left on your paper plate.
The most over-rated pizza in Pittsburgh. Many people claim it to be the best, when really Aiellos is much much better, but does not get nearly enough credit.
I don't understand why people like Mineo's so much. There sauce does not have much flavor, their crust is average, and the cheese is standard. I have eaten pizza all over the world and would take Aiellos over Mineo's in a heartbeat.
Used to be better and now is just another joint with a history and clientele. Their desserts and other menu options won't disappoint as much as the pizza, which has sadly become overpriced and not up to par.
Pittsburgh, PA
Category: Pizza
Pittsburgh, PA
Category: Pizza
Pittsburgh, PA
Category: Pizza
Pittsburgh, PA
Category: Desserts
Pittsburgh, PA
Category: Cheese Shops
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