The sky was a spurned lover, sobbing angrily, dejectedly as Kay and I tried to find dinner on our way home one evening last week. The renovation of the Liberty Tunnels forced us to make a detour through Mount Washington. Combing through my memory banks, I was able to recall the name of one of the hilltop neighborhood's mainstay pizzerias: Cestone's. From there, our trusty GPS led us towards shelter and nourishment. Framed posters of Broadway shows populated the scenery along with cherry-red seats that looked to have been pilfered from a demolished stadium or arena. Amicable, nosy, world-weary regulars loafed about the dining room, dying for someone to conversate with about anything or nothing at all, watching our every movement. So inquisitive were they that I was reluctant to snap photos. The images I did manage to capture were done on the sly. I started off with a half-hoagie that I would have enjoyed more had there been more meat to chew on. The stinginess of that subpar sub was forgotten once our Kay Kombo pizza slid onto our table on a dented grey disc. What I found most striking about this pie was the crust which while crunchy on the very bottom was rather plush in the center. Chewy bits of savory bacon dotted a landscape rendered manna-like by a smooth mozzarella and sweet by a vibrant sauce. While watching the droplets batter the pavement outside from the heavens and listening to the patrons remark on "that there storm," Kay and I quietly dined, thankful that the weather diverted the attention of the "nebby" patrons away from us, the people they didn't know. Cestone's (pronounced 'sess-tone's') surprisingly excels at soft serve ice cream, something I thought DiFiore's had a lock on in this part of town. Whether they use a pre-fabricated mix or their own concoction (is whipped topping folded into it?), I haven't any proof, but never before have I had a soft-serve ice cream that came off as so much luscious mousse. Beyond a mere custard, the dairy product fell, slithered into a paper cup, coiling like a vanilla/chocolate serpent. The whipped aerosol foam and microwaved hot fudge were not only immaterial, they were almost in the way. Just as we paid our check, the downpour halted, and the local folk went back to their lives, watching us leave, nudging each other, pointing to us curiously while we jogged to the Kaymobile, likely asking each other if they recognized us from somewhere. "I wonder if that's Elsie's nephew or Donny's boy? You know, the big, bald kid? The cop!" "Oh, I dunno. The girl kinda looked familiar, though." Cestone's is one of those Pittsburgh eateries that exists out of time and remains unfazed by trends, renewal, or upheaval. May it stand proudly without giving a crumb over what anyone else thinks of it. P.S. If it reads like I was slagging the neighborhood people for whom Cestone's is obviously a hangout, I wasn't really. They were actually amusing, harmless, and surely well-meaning. We were both just feeling beaten up from work and weren't much in the mood for chit-chat that evening.
(4)
Brian S.
Jonesing for a slice away from home I came across this family owned local gem. Reminded me of the neighborhood pizzerias in Brooklyn where I grew up that are now laden in granite and marble like a mausoleum, what a shame. Anyway, tasty crispy pepperoni slice, especially for Pittsburgh, They cut them in half here, so it feels like 2, only they charge you for 1. Nice! Had the Cherokee cherry soda and a superman ice cream. All that for less than 5 bux? Maddone!! What's a superman ice cream? I dunno but it was good.
(4)
James B.
I've been coming here for almost two years now, the pizza is decent I love their sauce! They have big "slices" so watch out! A slice from this place is 2 normal sized slices together so it's great for a lunch break or something really quick if you're in the go. They have beer here I mean what's not to love about that?! The bottles are all 2.50 except the 40s. You can buy a six pack or single bottles. In the spring/summer they have outdoor seating, benches and tables under umbrellas and the staff is super friendly!
(4)
Sarah K.
This place is quality! ... in that it has an indistinguishable quality that, I think, is what makes it bad. It wasn't horrible, just mediocre, but had some sort of ingredient or something that made us stop and think, "hm, no." Also, I think that mysterious quality was what gave me the overwhelming urge to wear stretchy pants and try not to vom. I'm sorry Cestone's! I wanted to like you, you sell pizza by the slice and you're close to my house, but it's just not going to work out.
(1)
Anthony C.
This is my favorite place to eat pizza in Pittsburgh. A great neighborhood pizzeria that also has reasonably priced beer ready and cooled in the fridge. I really like the quality of their vegetables, especially the spinach. They also put fresh minced garlic on the pizza which is a must-get. In addition, the staff is awesome and is a great staple of the neighborhood. In my last time visiting the restaurant, I saw the workers take in a kid who had been left alone and was lost at the bus stop after school. They gave him a free soda, small pizza and put cartoons on the television while contacting the child's mother and watching him until she got there. Not only is this place a great restaurant but a positive impact to my community! Love this place.
(5)
Joe D.
Another average neighborhood pizzeria. Nothing fantastic. The Super Bowl party I went to had ordered from Cestone's. Although my special vegan super bowl chili was the hit of the party, well only until the Patriots lost, but that's another story. Where Cestone's shines is their Ice Cream window, open during the summer months. They also have a hot dog cart and sidewalk seating. Great ice cream!
(3)
Kay E.
Believe it or not, the best thing about Cestone's is their ice cream, which like Darren said, resembles a mousse in taste and texture. It's really thick and holds up well in the heat. The pizza was pretty good. My burger was a little dry, though. The regulars are "nebby" as Pittsburghers say but are nice.
(4)
Kimberly R.
I have had pizza take out here twice. Both times it was fine. Quick, not too expensive, and pretty good take out pizza. If I need a quick pizza I will go back, but if I want a fancy gourmet pizza, I may try a different spot.
(3)
Owen S.
Really solid small town pizza place. Really inexpensive and great bang for your buck. Me and my family were visiting Pittsburgh for the night and stopped in for a quick bite before taking a ride on the Duquesne incline. The crust was incredible and the toppings were really tasty. Great beer selection with tons of local options as well as some imports. Not a place to go if your looking for a classy evening but great if you're looking to grab a quick bite to eat.
(3)
Nick B.
I could talk about how great this place is for hours, but I'll keep it relatively short for those of you rushing to find a good place to eat. I'm a regular and I've had it all. This pizza has a perfectly crafted crispy/soft crust and tastes amazing. The ice cream is amazing as other reviews have mentioned (get a chocolate milkshake). Great hoagies (steak or hot sausage are the best). They also have gyros, fries, chicken, salads and burgers, so something for every mood. But the best part of this place is that it's a great place to hang out and drink a beer with friends in one of Pittsburgh's most charming neighborhoods.
(5)
Margaret K.
Typical neighborhood pizza place, but it does the job! It's a cute little shop with sidewalk seating and ice cream window in the summer. The inside isn't anything special but it seems clean. The staff is busy but not unfriendly. Usually though, we order delivery. It comes within the normal amount of time and the pizza is good.
(4)
Melissa P.
If you like vegan chili you will hate Cestone's pepperoni pizza. If you like pizza and live in Mt.Washington you will probably order Cestone's..
(4)
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Address :200 Virginia Ave
Mount Washington, PA, 15211
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Darren W.
The sky was a spurned lover, sobbing angrily, dejectedly as Kay and I tried to find dinner on our way home one evening last week. The renovation of the Liberty Tunnels forced us to make a detour through Mount Washington. Combing through my memory banks, I was able to recall the name of one of the hilltop neighborhood's mainstay pizzerias: Cestone's. From there, our trusty GPS led us towards shelter and nourishment. Framed posters of Broadway shows populated the scenery along with cherry-red seats that looked to have been pilfered from a demolished stadium or arena. Amicable, nosy, world-weary regulars loafed about the dining room, dying for someone to conversate with about anything or nothing at all, watching our every movement. So inquisitive were they that I was reluctant to snap photos. The images I did manage to capture were done on the sly. I started off with a half-hoagie that I would have enjoyed more had there been more meat to chew on. The stinginess of that subpar sub was forgotten once our Kay Kombo pizza slid onto our table on a dented grey disc. What I found most striking about this pie was the crust which while crunchy on the very bottom was rather plush in the center. Chewy bits of savory bacon dotted a landscape rendered manna-like by a smooth mozzarella and sweet by a vibrant sauce. While watching the droplets batter the pavement outside from the heavens and listening to the patrons remark on "that there storm," Kay and I quietly dined, thankful that the weather diverted the attention of the "nebby" patrons away from us, the people they didn't know. Cestone's (pronounced 'sess-tone's') surprisingly excels at soft serve ice cream, something I thought DiFiore's had a lock on in this part of town. Whether they use a pre-fabricated mix or their own concoction (is whipped topping folded into it?), I haven't any proof, but never before have I had a soft-serve ice cream that came off as so much luscious mousse. Beyond a mere custard, the dairy product fell, slithered into a paper cup, coiling like a vanilla/chocolate serpent. The whipped aerosol foam and microwaved hot fudge were not only immaterial, they were almost in the way. Just as we paid our check, the downpour halted, and the local folk went back to their lives, watching us leave, nudging each other, pointing to us curiously while we jogged to the Kaymobile, likely asking each other if they recognized us from somewhere. "I wonder if that's Elsie's nephew or Donny's boy? You know, the big, bald kid? The cop!" "Oh, I dunno. The girl kinda looked familiar, though." Cestone's is one of those Pittsburgh eateries that exists out of time and remains unfazed by trends, renewal, or upheaval. May it stand proudly without giving a crumb over what anyone else thinks of it. P.S. If it reads like I was slagging the neighborhood people for whom Cestone's is obviously a hangout, I wasn't really. They were actually amusing, harmless, and surely well-meaning. We were both just feeling beaten up from work and weren't much in the mood for chit-chat that evening.
(4)Brian S.
Jonesing for a slice away from home I came across this family owned local gem. Reminded me of the neighborhood pizzerias in Brooklyn where I grew up that are now laden in granite and marble like a mausoleum, what a shame. Anyway, tasty crispy pepperoni slice, especially for Pittsburgh, They cut them in half here, so it feels like 2, only they charge you for 1. Nice! Had the Cherokee cherry soda and a superman ice cream. All that for less than 5 bux? Maddone!! What's a superman ice cream? I dunno but it was good.
(4)James B.
I've been coming here for almost two years now, the pizza is decent I love their sauce! They have big "slices" so watch out! A slice from this place is 2 normal sized slices together so it's great for a lunch break or something really quick if you're in the go. They have beer here I mean what's not to love about that?! The bottles are all 2.50 except the 40s. You can buy a six pack or single bottles. In the spring/summer they have outdoor seating, benches and tables under umbrellas and the staff is super friendly!
(4)Sarah K.
This place is quality! ... in that it has an indistinguishable quality that, I think, is what makes it bad. It wasn't horrible, just mediocre, but had some sort of ingredient or something that made us stop and think, "hm, no." Also, I think that mysterious quality was what gave me the overwhelming urge to wear stretchy pants and try not to vom. I'm sorry Cestone's! I wanted to like you, you sell pizza by the slice and you're close to my house, but it's just not going to work out.
(1)Anthony C.
This is my favorite place to eat pizza in Pittsburgh. A great neighborhood pizzeria that also has reasonably priced beer ready and cooled in the fridge. I really like the quality of their vegetables, especially the spinach. They also put fresh minced garlic on the pizza which is a must-get. In addition, the staff is awesome and is a great staple of the neighborhood. In my last time visiting the restaurant, I saw the workers take in a kid who had been left alone and was lost at the bus stop after school. They gave him a free soda, small pizza and put cartoons on the television while contacting the child's mother and watching him until she got there. Not only is this place a great restaurant but a positive impact to my community! Love this place.
(5)Joe D.
Another average neighborhood pizzeria. Nothing fantastic. The Super Bowl party I went to had ordered from Cestone's. Although my special vegan super bowl chili was the hit of the party, well only until the Patriots lost, but that's another story. Where Cestone's shines is their Ice Cream window, open during the summer months. They also have a hot dog cart and sidewalk seating. Great ice cream!
(3)Kay E.
Believe it or not, the best thing about Cestone's is their ice cream, which like Darren said, resembles a mousse in taste and texture. It's really thick and holds up well in the heat. The pizza was pretty good. My burger was a little dry, though. The regulars are "nebby" as Pittsburghers say but are nice.
(4)Kimberly R.
I have had pizza take out here twice. Both times it was fine. Quick, not too expensive, and pretty good take out pizza. If I need a quick pizza I will go back, but if I want a fancy gourmet pizza, I may try a different spot.
(3)Owen S.
Really solid small town pizza place. Really inexpensive and great bang for your buck. Me and my family were visiting Pittsburgh for the night and stopped in for a quick bite before taking a ride on the Duquesne incline. The crust was incredible and the toppings were really tasty. Great beer selection with tons of local options as well as some imports. Not a place to go if your looking for a classy evening but great if you're looking to grab a quick bite to eat.
(3)Nick B.
I could talk about how great this place is for hours, but I'll keep it relatively short for those of you rushing to find a good place to eat. I'm a regular and I've had it all. This pizza has a perfectly crafted crispy/soft crust and tastes amazing. The ice cream is amazing as other reviews have mentioned (get a chocolate milkshake). Great hoagies (steak or hot sausage are the best). They also have gyros, fries, chicken, salads and burgers, so something for every mood. But the best part of this place is that it's a great place to hang out and drink a beer with friends in one of Pittsburgh's most charming neighborhoods.
(5)Margaret K.
Typical neighborhood pizza place, but it does the job! It's a cute little shop with sidewalk seating and ice cream window in the summer. The inside isn't anything special but it seems clean. The staff is busy but not unfriendly. Usually though, we order delivery. It comes within the normal amount of time and the pizza is good.
(4)Melissa P.
If you like vegan chili you will hate Cestone's pepperoni pizza. If you like pizza and live in Mt.Washington you will probably order Cestone's..
(4)