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{{Infobox Restaurant
{{Infobox Restaurant
| name = Vincent's Pizza Park
| name = Vincent's Pizza Park
| image =
| image = Vincent's_Pizza_Park_exterior.jpg
| image_width =
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'''Vincent's Pizza Park ''' is a [[pizzeria]] restaurant located in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref name="PPG3">{{Citation| last =Tully| first =Jessica| year =2013| title = Vincent's Pizza Park, home of the 'Vinnie Pie,' nears reopening after dispute | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2013/05/22/Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-home-of-the-Vinnie-Pie-nears-reopening-after-dispute/stories/201305220199| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has been labeled as an iconic Pittsburgh restaurant<ref name="WTAE">{{Citation| last =Cain| first =Jackie| year =2013| title =Iconic Pittsburgh Pizza Shop Re-Opens| publisher=WTAE| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.wtae.com/article/iconic-pittsburgh-pizza-shop-re-opens-1/7461732| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and a landmark of [[Forest Hills, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Citation| last =Ove| first =Torsten| year =2002| title =Pizza makers head to court over name| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/89893746/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>
'''Vincent's Pizza Park ''' is a [[pizzeria]] restaurant located in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref name="PPG3">{{Citation| last =Tully| first =Jessica| year =2013| title = Vincent's Pizza Park, home of the 'Vinnie Pie,' nears reopening after dispute | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2013/05/22/Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-home-of-the-Vinnie-Pie-nears-reopening-after-dispute/stories/201305220199| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has been labeled as an iconic Pittsburgh restaurant<ref name="WTAE">{{Citation| last =Cain| first =Jackie| year =2013| title =Iconic Pittsburgh Pizza Shop Re-Opens| publisher=WTAE| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.wtae.com/article/iconic-pittsburgh-pizza-shop-re-opens-1/7461732| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and a landmark of [[Forest Hills, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Citation| last =Ove| first =Torsten| year =2002| title =Pizza makers head to court over name| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/89893746/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>


== Information ==
== Information ==


Vincent Chianese was the restaurant's founder. His father was from Italy and his mother was French Canadian. He was originally trained as a tailor.<ref>{{Citation| last =Reagan| first =Bulldog| year =1998| title =Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=125| url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/90843458/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> He went to San Francisco in 1950 to learn how to make pizza from his uncle and returned to Pittsburgh after his uncle sold his pizzeria.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="WQED">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2018| title = Pittsburgh Eats: Vincent's Pizza Park | publisher=WQED Pittsburgh| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al3YGxlesV0| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> After returning, he started selling pizzas at an auction and later founded Vincent's Pizza Park in 1952. While pizza is a common food today, many of the locals in the area did not know what pizza was at the time.<ref name="WQED" /> Chianese gained notoriety over his lifetime for often being seen cooking while smoking a cigar (with ashes sometimes falling into the pizza)<ref name="PGHPRESS2">{{Citation| last =Musick| first =Phil| year =1987| title =Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven| publisher=The Pittsburgh Press| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/146418096/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and was cited as a larger than life figure with an off-color demeanor.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="MC" /><ref name="PPG2">{{Citation| last =McConnell Schaarsmith| first =Amy| year =2012| title = Ovens cool at Vincent's Pizza Park after 60 years | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2012/05/19/Ovens-cool-at-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-after-60-years/stories/201205190145/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib10">{{Citation| last =Heyl| first =Eric| year =2010| title =Art of the pizza pie: Vinnie mastered his palate| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/art-of-the-pizza-pie-vinnie-mastered-his-palate/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> Chianese passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.<ref name="CBS2" />
Vincent Chianese was the restaurant's founder. His father was from Italy and his mother was French Canadian. He was originally trained as a tailor.<ref>{{Citation| last =Reagan| first =Bulldog| year =1998| title =Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=125| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/90843458/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> He went to San Francisco in 1950 to learn how to make pizza from his uncle and returned to Pittsburgh after his uncle sold his pizzeria.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="WQED">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2018| title = Pittsburgh Eats: Vincent's Pizza Park | publisher=WQED Pittsburgh| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al3YGxlesV0| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> After returning, he started selling pizzas at an auction and later founded Vincent's Pizza Park in 1952. While pizza is a common food today, many of the locals in the area did not know what pizza was at the time.<ref name="WQED" /> Chianese gained notoriety over his lifetime for often being seen cooking while smoking a cigar (with ashes sometimes falling into the pizza)<ref name="PGHPRESS2">{{Citation| last =Musick| first =Phil| year =1987| title =Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven| publisher=The Pittsburgh Press| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/146418096/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and was cited as a larger than life figure with an off-color demeanor.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="MC" /><ref name="PPG2">{{Citation| last =McConnell Schaarsmith| first =Amy| year =2012| title = Ovens cool at Vincent's Pizza Park after 60 years | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2012/05/19/Ovens-cool-at-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-after-60-years/stories/201205190145/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib10">{{Citation| last =Heyl| first =Eric| year =2010| title =Art of the pizza pie: Vinnie mastered his palate| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/art-of-the-pizza-pie-vinnie-mastered-his-palate/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> Chianese passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.<ref name="CBS2" />


The restaurant is famous for its "Vinnie Pie" style of pizza, which is notable for its generous amount of toppings, a thick crust, its abundance of grease and for its size which often leaves customers with [[leftovers]].<ref name="PGHPRESS">{{Citation| last =Braknis| first =Greg| year =1989| title =Everyone wants a piece of Vincent's| publisher=The Pittsburgh Press| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/145704912/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib10" /><ref name="Trib3">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title = The 'Vinnie Pie' is no more| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/the-vinnie-pie-is-no-more-3/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="CBS2" /> The restaurant offers pizza in three sizes: 9", 11" and 19" inch pizzas and notably does not serve their pizza in a takeout box, but on top of a piece of cardboard covered in paper sheets.<ref name="PGHMAG">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2011| title = Best of the 'Burgh 2011: Food and Drink | publisher=Pittsburgh Magazine| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/best-of-the-burgh-2011-food-and-drink/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has never offered deliveries, has never advertised nor was it open for lunch.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="Trib10" /> The restaurant also did not sell anything but pizza during some of its existence.<ref name="Trib10" /><ref name="Trib111">{{Citation| last =Machosky| first =Michael| year =2012| title =Lunch review: Vincent's Pizza Park| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/lunch-review-vincents-pizza-park/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurants peak time is during [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] football games, where 20 pizzas are often baked at once.<ref name="PPG5">{{Citation| last =Laurinatis| first =Judy| year =2005| title = Game-time often means 140 pizzas at Vincent's | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2005/01/26/Game-time-often-means-140-pizzas-at-Vincent-s/stories/200501260179| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has also been known to ship pizzas overnight across the United States.<ref name="PPG001">{{Citation| last =Demetrius Stock| first =Alice| year =2012| title =Pizza Park owner getting into pasta, too| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/89633989/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>
The restaurant is famous for its "Vinnie Pie" style of pizza, which is notable for its generous amount of toppings, a thick crust, its abundance of grease and for its size which often leaves customers with [[leftovers]].<ref name="PGHPRESS">{{Citation| last =Braknis| first =Greg| year =1989| title =Everyone wants a piece of Vincent's| publisher=The Pittsburgh Press| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/145704912/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib10" /><ref name="Trib3">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title = The 'Vinnie Pie' is no more| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/the-vinnie-pie-is-no-more-3/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="CBS2" /> The restaurant offers pizza in three sizes: 9", 11" and 19" inch pizzas and notably does not serve their pizza in a takeout box, but on top of a piece of cardboard covered in paper sheets.<ref name="PGHMAG">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2011| title = Best of the 'Burgh 2011: Food and Drink | publisher=Pittsburgh Magazine| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/best-of-the-burgh-2011-food-and-drink/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has never offered deliveries, has never advertised nor was it open for lunch.<ref name="PGHPRESS" /><ref name="Trib10" /> The restaurant also did not sell anything but pizza during some of its existence.<ref name="Trib10" /><ref name="Trib111">{{Citation| last =Machosky| first =Michael| year =2012| title =Lunch review: Vincent's Pizza Park| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/lunch-review-vincents-pizza-park/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurants peak time is during [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] football games, where 20 pizzas are often baked at once.<ref name="PPG5">{{Citation| last =Laurinatis| first =Judy| year =2005| title = Game-time often means 140 pizzas at Vincent's | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2005/01/26/Game-time-often-means-140-pizzas-at-Vincent-s/stories/200501260179| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant has also been known to ship pizzas overnight across the United States.<ref name="PPG001">{{Citation| last =Demetrius Stock| first =Alice| year =2012| title =Pizza Park owner getting into pasta, too| publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/89633989/?terms=Vincent%27s%20Pizza%20Park&match=1| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>


The restaurant closed in 2012 over rent, franchise and royalty issues.<ref name="Patch2">{{Citation| last =Rex| first =Stephanie| year =2012| title = Vincent's Pizza Park Now Closed| publisher = Patch | publication-place = web | page=| url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/foresthills-regentsquare/vincent-s-pizza-park-now-closed| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="PPG1">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2012| title = Pittsburgh landmark Vincent's Pizza Park closes | publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2012/05/18/Pittsburgh-landmark-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-closes/stories/201205180208| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib1">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title = Vincent's, landmark pizza shop in Forest Hills, shut down| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/vincents-landmark-pizza-shop-in-forest-hills-shut-down/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib3" /><ref name="CBS2">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2012| title =Future Uncertain For Popular Local Pizza Shop | publisher=CBS News| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/future-uncertain-for-popular-local-pizza-shop/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant was supposed to be put up for [[Government auction|sheriff's sale]] in 2012, but the sheriff's sale request was withdrawn.<ref name="PPG4">{{Citation| last =Barcousky| first =Len| year =2012| title = Sheriff's sale canceled for Vincent's Pizza Park | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2012/06/11/Sheriff-s-sale-canceled-for-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park/stories/201206110234| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib5">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title =Iconic North Braddock pizzeria handed over to founder's daughter | publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/iconic-north-braddock-pizzeria-handed-over-to-founders-daughter/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant was renovated and reopened in 2013 by Chianese's daughter, Toni Zollner and continues to operate to this day.<ref name="Trib6">{{Citation| last =Heyl| first =Eric| year =2013| title =What tops a Vinnie pie return?| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/what-tops-a-vinnie-pie-return/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>
The restaurant closed in 2012 over rent, franchise and royalty issues.<ref name="Patch2">{{Citation| last =Rex| first =Stephanie| year =2012| title = Vincent's Pizza Park Now Closed| publisher = Patch | publication-place = web | page=| url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/foresthills-regentsquare/vincent-s-pizza-park-now-closed| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="PPG1">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2012| title = Pittsburgh landmark Vincent's Pizza Park closes | publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2012/05/18/Pittsburgh-landmark-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park-closes/stories/201205180208| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib1">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title = Vincent's, landmark pizza shop in Forest Hills, shut down| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/vincents-landmark-pizza-shop-in-forest-hills-shut-down/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib3" /><ref name="CBS2">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2012| title =Future Uncertain For Popular Local Pizza Shop | publisher=CBS News| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/future-uncertain-for-popular-local-pizza-shop/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant was supposed to be put up for [[Government auction|sheriff's sale]] in 2012, but the sheriff's sale request was withdrawn.<ref name="PPG4">{{Citation| last =Barcousky| first =Len| year =2012| title = Sheriff's sale canceled for Vincent's Pizza Park | publisher=Pittsburgh Post Gazette| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2012/06/11/Sheriff-s-sale-canceled-for-Vincent-s-Pizza-Park/stories/201206110234| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Trib5">{{Citation| last =Brandolph| first =Adam| year =2012| title =Iconic North Braddock pizzeria handed over to founder's daughter | publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/iconic-north-braddock-pizzeria-handed-over-to-founders-daughter/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> The restaurant was renovated and reopened in 2013 by Chianese's daughter, Toni Zollner and continues to operate to this day.<ref name="Trib6">{{Citation| last =Heyl| first =Eric| year =2013| title =What tops a Vinnie pie return?| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/what-tops-a-vinnie-pie-return/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>


In 2020, Vincent's donated over 140 pizzas during the [[Covid-19 pandemic]] to front-line workers.<ref name="CBS1">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2020| title =Vincent's Pizza Providing Free 'Pandemic Pies' For Frontline Workers | publisher=CBS News| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/vincents-pizza-coronavirus/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>
In 2020, Vincent's donated over 140 pizzas during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] to front-line workers.<ref name="CBS1">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2020| title =Vincent's Pizza Providing Free 'Pandemic Pies' For Frontline Workers | publisher=CBS News| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/vincents-pizza-coronavirus/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref>


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==


The restaurant was featured in Philipp Meyer's 2009 novel, "American Rust"<ref name="Trib9">{{Citation| last =Behe| first =Rege| year =2009| title ='American Rust' examines those left behind in American dream| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/american-rust-examines-those-left-behind-in-american-dream/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and in the 2015 Pittsburgh horror television series, "It's Alive".<ref name="MC">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2010| title = Vincent's Pizza Segment on It's Alive | publisher=Professor Emcee Square| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KLobYr1VS8&t=14s| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> Chianese and Vincent's Pizza Park appeared in the 1998 film, [[Dominick and Eugene]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/90843465/?terms=%22vincent%27s%20pizza%22%20dominick&match=1|title=Everybody loves Vincent pizza|page=126|date=20 May 1998|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref>
The restaurant was featured in Philipp Meyer's 2009 novel, "American Rust"<ref name="Trib9">{{Citation| last =Behe| first =Rege| year =2009| title ='American Rust' examines those left behind in American dream| publisher=Trib Live| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/american-rust-examines-those-left-behind-in-american-dream/| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> and in the 2015 Pittsburgh horror television series, "It's Alive".<ref name="MC">{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2010| title = Vincent's Pizza Segment on It's Alive | publisher=Professor Emcee Square| publication-place = web | page=| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KLobYr1VS8&t=14s| access-date = 13 March 2023}}</ref> Chianese and Vincent's Pizza Park appeared in the 1998 film, [[Dominick and Eugene]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/90843465/?terms=%22vincent%27s%20pizza%22%20dominick&match=1|title=Everybody loves Vincent pizza|page=126|date=20 May 1998|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{center|{{gallery
|title=Vincent's Pizza Park
|File:Vincent's_Pizza_Park_Interior.jpg
|The dining room
|File:The_counter_at_Vincent's_Pizza_Park.jpg
|The counter at Vincent's Pizza Park
|File:Vincent's_Pizza_Park_Oven's.jpg
|The oven's at Vincent's Pizza Park
|File:Vincent's_Pizza_Park_Menu.jpg
|The 2023 menu at Vincent's Pizza Park
}}}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:10, 31 December 2023

Vincent's Pizza Park
Restaurant information
Established1952
Owner(s)Vincent Chianese (founder); Toni Zollner (current owner)
Food typePizzeria
Street address998 Ardmore Blvd
CityPittsburgh
StatePennsylvania
Postal/ZIP Code15221
CountryUnited States
Websitewww.vincentspizzapark.com

Vincent's Pizza Park is a pizzeria restaurant located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.[1] The restaurant has been labeled as an iconic Pittsburgh restaurant[2] and a landmark of Forest Hills, Pennsylvania.[3]

Information

[edit]

Vincent Chianese was the restaurant's founder. His father was from Italy and his mother was French Canadian. He was originally trained as a tailor.[4] He went to San Francisco in 1950 to learn how to make pizza from his uncle and returned to Pittsburgh after his uncle sold his pizzeria.[5][6] After returning, he started selling pizzas at an auction and later founded Vincent's Pizza Park in 1952. While pizza is a common food today, many of the locals in the area did not know what pizza was at the time.[6] Chianese gained notoriety over his lifetime for often being seen cooking while smoking a cigar (with ashes sometimes falling into the pizza)[7] and was cited as a larger than life figure with an off-color demeanor.[5][8][9][10] Chianese passed away in 2010 at the age of 85.[11]

The restaurant is famous for its "Vinnie Pie" style of pizza, which is notable for its generous amount of toppings, a thick crust, its abundance of grease and for its size which often leaves customers with leftovers.[5][10][12][11] The restaurant offers pizza in three sizes: 9", 11" and 19" inch pizzas and notably does not serve their pizza in a takeout box, but on top of a piece of cardboard covered in paper sheets.[13] The restaurant has never offered deliveries, has never advertised nor was it open for lunch.[5][10] The restaurant also did not sell anything but pizza during some of its existence.[10][14] The restaurants peak time is during Pittsburgh Steelers football games, where 20 pizzas are often baked at once.[15] The restaurant has also been known to ship pizzas overnight across the United States.[16]

The restaurant closed in 2012 over rent, franchise and royalty issues.[17][18][19][12][11] The restaurant was supposed to be put up for sheriff's sale in 2012, but the sheriff's sale request was withdrawn.[20][21] The restaurant was renovated and reopened in 2013 by Chianese's daughter, Toni Zollner and continues to operate to this day.[22]

In 2020, Vincent's donated over 140 pizzas during the COVID-19 pandemic to front-line workers.[23]

[edit]

The restaurant was featured in Philipp Meyer's 2009 novel, "American Rust"[24] and in the 2015 Pittsburgh horror television series, "It's Alive".[8] Chianese and Vincent's Pizza Park appeared in the 1998 film, Dominick and Eugene.[25]

[edit]
Vincent's Pizza Park
  • The dining room
    The dining room
  • The counter at Vincent's Pizza Park
    The counter at Vincent's Pizza Park
  • The oven's at Vincent's Pizza Park
    The oven's at Vincent's Pizza Park
  • The 2023 menu at Vincent's Pizza Park
    The 2023 menu at Vincent's Pizza Park

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tully, Jessica (2013), Vincent's Pizza Park, home of the 'Vinnie Pie,' nears reopening after dispute, web: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  2. ^ Cain, Jackie (2013), Iconic Pittsburgh Pizza Shop Re-Opens, web: WTAE, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ^ Ove, Torsten (2002), Pizza makers head to court over name, web: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  4. ^ Reagan, Bulldog (1998), Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven, web: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. 125, retrieved 13 March 2023
  5. ^ a b c d Braknis, Greg (1989), Everyone wants a piece of Vincent's, web: The Pittsburgh Press, retrieved 13 March 2023
  6. ^ a b Pittsburgh Eats: Vincent's Pizza Park, web: WQED Pittsburgh, 2018, retrieved 13 March 2023
  7. ^ Musick, Phil (1987), Nobody tops crusty pizza man's reputation at oven, web: The Pittsburgh Press, retrieved 13 March 2023
  8. ^ a b Vincent's Pizza Segment on It's Alive, web: Professor Emcee Square, 2010, retrieved 13 March 2023
  9. ^ McConnell Schaarsmith, Amy (2012), Ovens cool at Vincent's Pizza Park after 60 years, web: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  10. ^ a b c d Heyl, Eric (2010), Art of the pizza pie: Vinnie mastered his palate, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  11. ^ a b c Future Uncertain For Popular Local Pizza Shop, web: CBS News, 2012, retrieved 13 March 2023
  12. ^ a b Brandolph, Adam (2012), The 'Vinnie Pie' is no more, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  13. ^ Best of the 'Burgh 2011: Food and Drink, web: Pittsburgh Magazine, 2011, retrieved 13 March 2023
  14. ^ Machosky, Michael (2012), Lunch review: Vincent's Pizza Park, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  15. ^ Laurinatis, Judy (2005), Game-time often means 140 pizzas at Vincent's, web: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  16. ^ Demetrius Stock, Alice (2012), Pizza Park owner getting into pasta, too, web: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  17. ^ Rex, Stephanie (2012), Vincent's Pizza Park Now Closed, web: Patch, retrieved 13 March 2023
  18. ^ Pittsburgh landmark Vincent's Pizza Park closes, web: Trib Live, 2012, retrieved 13 March 2023
  19. ^ Brandolph, Adam (2012), Vincent's, landmark pizza shop in Forest Hills, shut down, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  20. ^ Barcousky, Len (2012), Sheriff's sale canceled for Vincent's Pizza Park, web: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
  21. ^ Brandolph, Adam (2012), Iconic North Braddock pizzeria handed over to founder's daughter, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  22. ^ Heyl, Eric (2013), What tops a Vinnie pie return?, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  23. ^ Vincent's Pizza Providing Free 'Pandemic Pies' For Frontline Workers, web: CBS News, 2020, retrieved 13 March 2023
  24. ^ Behe, Rege (2009), 'American Rust' examines those left behind in American dream, web: Trib Live, retrieved 13 March 2023
  25. ^ "Everybody loves Vincent pizza". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 20 May 1998. p. 126.
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