Pizza is a huge staple of the culture and cuisine of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Restaurants and family-owned businesses serving the renowned food in various combinations of toppings and manners of preparation dot the streets of virtually every city; and yet, of all of the different pizza locations in existence, two facilities in particular stand for themselves in the midst of a sea of competitors: Gerry’s and Angelo’s Pizzerias, both based in Wilkes-Barre. High school students have gotten into an endless amount of squabbles over the superiority of these establishments, and continue to today.

Located on Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre, Gerry’s Pizzeria opened in 1981, owned by Gerry Ricci. Ricci grew up working in his father’s pizza shop until he was 23 years old, when he decided to move and open a business of his own in the vein of his father’s location. All of Gerry’s children have worked at the pizzeria; he states that one day, his grandchildren will also find employment there. Gerry and his father, Angelo Ricci, chose to focus on the signature round pizza, making it their main menu item. According to The Citizens’ Voice, “That’s the only thing we deal in. Just fresh, hearth-baked pizza.” Gerry’s also features a drive-thru window, so that customers can pick up their pizzas without experiencing a need to enter the facility. The pizzeria often indulges in sponsoring local sports teams, which tend to return the favor by eating at the restaurant in their uniforms after their games. Gerry’s Pizzeria is open every day of the week except for Mondays at 496 Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre.

Gerry Ricci (in the blue shirt) and his employees

Angelo’s Pizzeria, also in Wilkes-Barre, has been open for more than 50 years. It is owned by Angelo Ricci—Gerry Ricci’s father—who, notwithstanding his respectable age of 78, tosses pizza twice a week at the restaurant. Angelo noted that he gave his children a choice between a college education and taking part in the family business; they selected the latter, and integrated themselves with the workings of the respectable facility. The location is rather similar to Gerry’s in that its primary focus is also pizza. The establishment’s interior is small, with seating designed for only approximately two dozen people; this is due to the majority of the business being comprised of take-out orders. Waiting times for orders can be up to an hour long, pushing many customers to call a day ahead of time in order to get their pizzas the following day. The restaurant has, in its history, prepared takeouts for celebrities, such as Bon Jovi and ZZ Top. Angelo’s Pizzeria is open 7 days a week in any weather, good or bad, at 445 Hazle Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Angelo Ricci tossing pizza dough

The GNA Insider has asked students at Nanticoke about their pizza preferences. “I like Gerry’s more,” Jordan Spencer says. “I like it better because they put more sauce on the pizza.” Mackenzie Clark agrees with Spencer, but notes that “[she] like[s] Gerry’s a lot but [she] would rather Angelo’s because [she] like[s] the taste of their sauce. They are both so affordable with a low price.”

The debate between Angelo’s and Gerry’s Pizzerias—a father-son set of businesses, each with its own history and niche—might never be settled, but the pizza served at each of these locations is fantastic nevertheless. The GNA Insider urges readers to visit each establishment and enjoy the luxury of feasting on the delicacies served to them for a more genuine and personal opinion on the matter.

Gerry’s Pizzeria in Wilkes Barre

              Angelo’s Pizzeria in Wilkes Barre