If you're ever in the mood for some good pizza in and around the Greater Cincinnati area, you've got to try Larosa's. Open for both lunch and dinner, these guys have really made a name for themselves with their homemade, distinct thick and sweet pizza sauces. But the menu does not stop at pizzas. They also feature calzones, salads, pasta, and even grocery items for your convenience.
What's really unique about Larosa's is their story. The founder, Donald "Buddy" LaRosa, started this family pizzeria all the way back in 1954, in the Westwood area of Cincinnati. It's still a local favorite and competes favorably with international chains like Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut.
If you're curious about the full range of their pizzas, you're just a click away. The company's website has all the information you could need about their menu and more. Just simply head over to https://www.larosas.com/.
Trying to Find Larosa's Near You?
In total, you'll find 66 Larosa's pizzerias around various neighborhoods. I spotted locations in Cincinnati, Greater Dayton, Central Ohio, Northern Kentucky, the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, and even Southeast Indiana. Each time I've visited, there's been a restaurant nearby!
If you are looking for your nearest Larosa's store, you can hop onto the company's website and use their super helpful store finder feature.
I have to tell you something about the Larosa's menu. There are just so many delicious pizza options. The customizability is something I loved. If you love playing chef like I do, you can simply create your own pizzas using the following steps:
- Begin with the size (ranging from Small to X-Large)
- Choose the Crust. You have the option between Traditional, Pan, or Hand Tossed
- Opt for the cheese - they have No Cheese, Provolone, and Four Cheese.
- Then come the toppings. With 21 different toppings, I was spoilt for choice, but trust me, it was fun!
- Choosing the sauce - you can never go wrong with Larosa's specialty family recipe pizza sauce
- You can even ask for it to be well done or lightly baked. Whether you would like it cut into pie shapes or squares is up to you!
If that feels like too much work, don’t worry. They've got menus filled with classic pizza recipes, like Chicken Bacon Ranch and Double Pepperoni.
Differentiating Between Larosa's Crust Choices
Larosa's offers more than just one type of pizza crust. They have a traditional thin crust, a deep crispy pan, and a hand-tossed crust that is the perfect balance between thin and thick. Not to mention their 14 stores that offer Gluten Free crust. They really went out of their way to cater to everyone, and I truly appreciated that.
Sizing up Larosa's Pizzas
The selection at Larosa's ranges from a small pizza with 4 slices, right up to an extra-large pizza with 16 slices, it's truly a Goodfellas moment. The exact sizes are:
- Small: 8 inches - 4 slices
- Medium: 12 inches - 8 slices
- Large: 14 inches - between 8 and 12 slices
- Extra Large: 16 inches - 16 slices
Larosa's Operating Hours
Usually, Larosa's operates between 11am and 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and between 11am and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. But do check their website or your local branch for specific timings.
The Convenience of Larosa's Delivery
Oh boy, let me tell you about Larosa's delivery. Who doesn't want delicious pizza delivered right to your doorstep? This is something I took full advantage of, and I have to say, it did not disappoint!
Do check with your local branch for delivery options available in your area, or order directly from their website. Certain locations are also available on popular third-party delivery apps.
Want to Enjoy Larosa's Pizza at Home?
Much to my delight, Larosa's offers Bake at Home Pizzas. You can simply pick them up, take them home, refrigerate or freeze, and enjoy a slice whenever you want. Plus, they're customizable- traditional crust, numerous toppings, an array of 8 different sauces. As if that weren't enough, you can even stack up on their signature pizza sauce, olive oil, salad dressing, and ravioli from certain Cincinnati grocery stores.
As a parent, what I loved the most was the quality of Larosa's kids’ menu. My kids devoured their thin-crust pizzas, Fried Chicken Bites, Spaghetti & Meatball, and Ziti pasta. Each meal is served with Go-Gurt and a choice of a kid's beverage.
Does Larosa's Cater?
If you're planning an event, I would definitely recommend considering Larosa's catering services. They offer trays of hoagys, ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, salads, starters, wings, garlic bread sticks, and oh, the desserts! Each tray is sufficient for 10 people, but they also offer group boxed lunches. You can contact your local store or visit their website for more catering information.
Pros
- Wide range of pizzas
- Good atmosphere
- Customizable pizzas
- Great for family dining and catering
Cons
- Not all stores offer the same food items
- Delivery might be limited in some areas