When it comes to eating pizza, I like to stick to places that specialize in making pizza—particularly those places that make really good pizza. Life’s just too short for bad pizza.

But I’ve had this nagging curiosity about the pizza at Pennsylvania’s three convenience store giants: Rutter’s, Sheetz, and Wawa. So when I discovered that about 90 minutes from my home, there was a stretch on the eastern edge of Lancaster County with a Rutter’s, a Sheetz, and a Wawa within about 10 miles of each other, I figured it was a good opportunity to satisfy that curiosity. And what better way to satisfy that curiosity than with a good old-fashioned taste test?

More on that Rutter’s-Sheetz-Wawa taste test below.

A few quick housekeeping notes: 

👉 Did you know that we do video here in Pizzavania? Now you do. If you’ve missed our recent video profiles of 888 by Sebastian in Elkins Park, Ferri’s Pizza in Moscow, Sabatini’s Pizza in Exeter, and CJ & D’s Trenton Tomato Pies in South Philly, and don’t want to miss our upcoming videos, make sure to follow The Keystone on Instagram and/or TikTok.

👉 Don’t forget that you can find all past, present, and future Pizzavania content right here.

👉 And don’t forget to keep spreading the word about Pizzavania so we can keep this community of Pennsylvania pizza lovers growing. 

When, exactly, did dipping your pizza crust in ranch dressing become a thing? I find it repulsive. I have to avert my gaze when my wife—who grew up in Philadelphia, not some pizza wasteland where they don’t know any better like Iowa—does it.

Wawa offers ranch as an option with its pizza, along with (gulp) teriyaki sauce (the less said about that, the better). And every chain pizza place—along with some pretty solid mom and pop joints—seems to offer some kind of bacon ranch pizza. What am I missing here?

But enough about my ranch on pizza hangup…

Let us know whether or not you like ranch dressing with your pizza, and we’ll run the results in our next edition.

Pennsylvania’s three convenience store giants—York-based Rutter’s, Altoona-based Sheetz, and Delaware County-based Wawa—added pizza to their ever-expanding menus of food offerings. (Patrick Berkery/The Keystone)

Over the past few years, York-based Rutter’s, Altoona-based Sheetz, and Delaware County-based Wawa added pizza to their ever-expanding menus of food offerings, marking a whole new level of convenience statewide. 

There’s something to be said for such convenience. But what are the chances that a pizza made at the same establishment where you can put air in your tires and purchase both loose bananas and condoms is any good? Could it possibly serve any purpose beyond satisfying those late-night munchies when you have to have a pizza, everything else is closed, and there’s no emergency DiGiorno in your freezer?

That’s what I wanted to find out. The results of my Pennsylvania convenience store pizza fact-finding mission can be found in this story.

🍕 Cooper Sharp has been a go-to on cheesesteaks for years. Now, the white American cheese is making inroads in the pizza world, as Beatrice Forman from the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. (Subscription required). 

🍕 Another Philly pizzeria is closing. Pizzeria Vetri in Rittenhouse is serving its last pies on Saturday. Vetri’s other location in the city near the Art Museum, and its suburban spots in Devon and King of Prussia, will remain open. Learn more here.

🍕 The owner of longtime Erie favorite Colony Pizza is teaming up with the owner of Erie’s McGarrey’s Oakwood Cafe to open a new pizzeria in the city called Oakwood Pizzeria. Get the details here.

🍕 Apologies for being a few months late on this one, but I just came across the story about a husband’s “insane” pizza order for his pregnant wife going viral because of the explanation accompanying the order. See for yourself here.

Now, it’s your turn. Tell us about the Pa. pizzerias that you love!

“You need to check out Eda’s Pizzeria in Roxborough. SO good!”

— Tom Harris, Philadelphia

“Moonlight Pizza in Pen Argyl has become my favorite. My partner and I make the drive up from Easton a few times a month for the bacon & carmelized onion pie. Their salads are great too!”

— Rebecca, Easton

“Joey’s Pizza in Thorndale is like a well-kept secret in Chester County. Strip mall pizza isn’t supposed to be this good. It rivals anything in Philly as far as I’m concerned.”

— Ed G., Downingtown

“You need to get to Williamsport and check out Leo’s Pizzeria. His Fire Boy pizza is, well, fire!”

— Rick, Williamsport

“My family has been going to Senape’s (the tavern, not the bakery) in Hazleton for years! Love it!”

— Jenni O., Conyngham

**You can find plenty more reader recommendations right here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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