Pizza by Pappas in Scranton: A Basic NEPA Pan Pizza That Nonetheless Holds Its Identification

When you grew up anyplace close to Scranton, there’s a great probability Pizza by Pappas was a part of your pizza story sooner or later. For generations, it’s been a kind of locations locals point out with instantaneous nostalgia — the toy prepare circling the eating room, the grinders, and naturally, the signature pan pizza.

With new possession in place, I finished in to reply the query many locals have been questioning:

Did something change, or is Pizza by Pappas nonetheless the identical traditional Scranton expertise?

The Ambiance: Acquainted in All of the Proper Methods

Strolling into Pizza by Pappas nonetheless looks like stepping right into a time capsule of Scranton pizza tradition. The structure is identical, the old-school vibe continues to be there, and sure — the prepare continues to be making its rounds above the eating room.

On the similar time, there are indicators of evolution. The brand new possession has added a number of menu objects and retail-style choices, together with:

• Frozen take-and-bake pizzas
• A brand new steak and cheese pizza
• Outrageously massive cannoli
• Further menu updates

It’s clear they’re making an attempt to develop whereas conserving the core id intact — one thing that longtime clients all the time recognize.

I do miss the pizza being served on a cardboard disc inside a stapled paper bag although…

The Pizza: A Distinctive Scranton Pan Fashion

Pizza by Pappas doesn’t make a typical spherical pizza, and it doesn’t match neatly into any nationwide class both. Their pizza is a roughly 10-inch spherical pan pizza that basically displays the regional creativity of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

One of many defining options is the cheese utility. They use cheddar cheese unfold all the way in which to the sting of the pan, which permits it to caramelize in the course of the bake.

I’m not saying that is Detroit-style pizza, however that crispy, lacy edge positively provides off a few of these frico-style vibes that pizza lovers chase.

The crust itself is comparatively skinny for a pan pizza. It normally has a lightweight crispiness with a comfortable inside, however I ordered mine further crispy, which is how I personally assume this pizza shines.

That further bake time transforms the pizza:

• The cheese edge turns into deeply caramelized and crunchy
• The underside crust companies up properly
• The feel distinction turns into way more pronounced

When you like somewhat crunch in your pan pizza, that is positively the transfer.

Sauce, Cheese, and Total Taste

The sauce at Pizza by Pappas could be very clean and pretty impartial in profile. It’s not overly candy or aggressively seasoned, which really works within the pizza’s favor.

As a substitute of dominating the slice, the sauce lets the opposite components take the lead:

• The pleasantly greasy crust gives richness
• The cheddar brings a pointy, barely salty chew
• The crispy edge provides texture and depth

The top result’s a taste profile that feels very acquainted in case you’ve frolicked consuming pizza round Scranton. It’s not making an attempt to be flashy or stylish — it’s only a traditional NEPA pan pizza carried out the way in which it’s all the time been carried out.

And actually, that’s precisely what many individuals need after they stroll into Pizza by Pappas.

Don’t Skip the Grinders

Whereas the pizza is the primary draw, I additionally grabbed one among their well-known grinders. For anybody unfamiliar, a grinder right here is basically a hoagie baked within the oven, warmed by with that traditional toasted roll texture. Though the roll is tremendous comfortable and spongy, the toasted roll positively elevates the expertise.

Grinders have all the time been an enormous a part of the Pappas expertise, they usually stay a well-liked order immediately.

Remaining Ideas: A Scranton Unique That’s Staying True

Pizza by Pappas has all the time had its personal lane within the Scranton pizza scene, and it nonetheless does. The mix of a skinny pan crust, cheddar cheese baked to the sting, and that unmistakable old-school ambiance makes it stand aside from different native kinds.

New possession seems to be including some recent concepts, however the core of what made the place particular continues to be very a lot intact.

For longtime locals, it’s a comforting reminder that some Scranton establishments don’t want to vary a lot to remain related. And for anybody exploring the native pizza scene, Pizza by Pappas stays a novel cease that represents a really particular slice of Northeastern Pennsylvania pizza historical past.

Need to know what the very best pizza sauce is? I examined, ranked, and scored all of them! Listed here are my Pizza Sauce Rankings!

Ranking the Pan Pizza

• Restaurant: Pizza by Pappas
• Handle: 303 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
• Dine In/Take Out: Dine in
• Pizza Ordered: Pan Pizza with Pepperoni (further crispy)
• Date: February 2026

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