Much has been written on that of the mythical Beto's pizza, so I will keep it brief. A local favorite; the dough and sauce are baked in the oven, and THEN the mountain of fresh mozzarella and toppings are thrown on afterward, right before it's served to you. Resulting in a multi-temperature slab of pizza goodness that is actively melting together as you eat it. Extremely inexpensive. Quick service. Down-to-earth staff. A very 'family-run' feel. Bring your buddies or your S.O. or your family, eat some delicious pizza, and then disappear into the night toward your next destination. You will be satisfied.
(4)
Tim F.
Good stuff. It's places like this that make me almost interested in moving out of sunny Southern California and into Pittsburgh. We don't have pizza like this here. I've been to back to Pittsburgh like 10 times and I've stopped by here every time. A couple cuts of cheese pizza will fill you up. Yummy, Don't order extra cheese. A normal cut will have more than enough cheese.
(5)
Carmen Maria N.
We are from out of town and heard this place had good pizza. I decided to call and order a pizza, so asked about what kind of sizes, type of crust and if they do white pizza. The guy told me he only had pizza crust and red sauce and since I was asking for a different type of pizza, that this wasn't the right pizza place for me. He told me I wouldn't want to order from them and hung up the phone. Not sure if it was because if my Hispanic accent or what but he was extremely rude and didn't even give me a chance to order or ask. I would have been perfectly fine with a red sauce, regular pizza crust with cheese and pepperoni but he wouldn't even take my order. I was just trying to ask. Rude. Very!
(1)
Melissa D.
Forget what you know about pizza. Beto's is entirely its own thing. And it gets five stars because it is something you will crave more often than is healthy. A Pittsburgh favorite, I know multiple folks who've moved out of town and include this on their "must do" list each time they come to town. (Visit pap, watch the stillers, drink an iron city, eat a few slices of Betos pizza - check!) Anyhoo, the crunch of this pizza crust makes me go weak at the knees. I just want to HEAR everyone at my table bite into their slice of pizza...is it so much to ask? Then you experience the perfectly thin layer of sauce. Then the mound of shredded, uncooked mozzarella cheese, some of which falls to your plate for you to snack on later. And you realize, I'm eating pizza but it's a whole other experience entirely because the cheese and toppings are raw! I like getting anchovies on mine because the salty bite with the rich cheese and deluxe crust is, in my opinion, the perfect bite. It is the stuff dreams are made of.
(5)
Stacie C.
I'm not at all surprised by the mixed reviews of Beto's. I understand this is the kind of place where you either love it or hate it, you either get it or you don't. I think most people who like Beto's do so because it's familiar and probably something they grew up with. I get that, too. It may not be the "best" pizza I've ever had, but there's a comforting nostalgic feel when you have something that has remained unchanged in decades. Beto's has their own unique take on pizza and if your unaware of their preparation, I can see it being off-putting. But if you go in with an open mind I think you'll find it enjoyable. Service may not be the friendliest, but they aren't rude and orders are prepared quickly. I've gone in, placed an order for a few slices and been handed a box before my change. I usually just get cheese or maybe pepperoni. It is absolutely not necessary to order extra cheese. When you look at the pictures, you see why. The crust is baked nice and crispy with the sauce. Cold toppings are added after you order. It might sound crazy and at first I thought it was crazy, too. But the cheese starts to melt and the melding of flavors as you chow down is unlike any other pizza I've tasted and the often sloppy distribution of the toppings is all part of the charm. I can handle 2-3 slices in a sitting due to the generous toppings and the cost is cheap. The square size is very reminiscent of the pizza slices I remember from the school cafeteria in grade school and it makes me feel like a kid again. Fortunately, Beto's pizza tastes better. Just don't forget the chocolate milk.
(4)
Rick C.
My Uncle Chuck turned me on to Beto's 40 years ago and it's every bit as good as when I was a pup. This is one of the most unique pizza joints I've ever eaten at. If you love mozzarella cheese, this is the place for you. If you're not a fan, don't bother. People often use the phrase "food porn" these days, and as you can see in the photos (money shots) that customers have shared in their Yelp page, the description is accurate. The food is cheap (and cheesy) as can be. Swing by for lunch, dinner or a late night stuffing.
(5)
Malissa N.
For being an out-of-towner, this is always our first stop as soon we we get into Pittsburgh. This pizza is like no other! The portions are huge, and worth every bite!! The shredded cheese on top & chunks of tomatoes just make your mouth water!!
(5)
Paige O.
I was super excited to try the pizza and I am so happy I did. It was so different but so so delicious !! I also had a side salad.. It was ok, I would have liked to see a little variation of lettuce but it was just plain iceberg. It was a nice size and had some fresh veggies and of course some of the amazing cheese!!! It's the coldest day of the year and they have the fans on, that's my only con about the place really. It's freezing in here!!! Also, I would like to add the staff is super nice and friendly :)
(4)
Joe C.
First went here in 1967. Two slices with free extra cheese and pepperoni for 15 cents. Even when it was free, few ordered the extra cheese. I mean, why bother given the normal amount. The price has certainly gone up, but I still stop by every time I am in town. Two slices with pepperoni and half Italian hoagie, does not get much better. If only they could expand the parking lot.
(5)
Shaun E.
Okay this place is freaking wild. If your from my generation than you can remember Ellio's rectangular frozen pizza. This place brings me back. Any place that goes there, then you know they're doing something right. If you go here you will be in cheese heaven. I agree with the other people's review that you will either love this place or absolutely hate it. I'd have to give it a thumbs up but instead of calling it pizza, call it beto's raw cheese baked bread haha. They cook the bread sauce/tomatoes and then throw a heaping cheese pile after your meal is cooked. Then they throw on any toppings. I call it raw cheese pizza. It is good. Crust is crispy and the sauce is delicious. Eatability I'd give a 2/10. The whole point of pizza is that you can bend it in half and then stuff it in your face. Here it's more of a fork and knife operation. The cheese falls right off because it's not melted so you end up slurping it up like spaghetti. I dig it though. Good job beto's. Way to stand out from the mediocre pizza that plagues pittsburgh.
(5)
Kelly L.
I truly have never had better pizza in the entire city of Pittsburgh. My boyfriend & I went as first timers last Friday after hearing a million good things from our friends. Beto's did not disappoint. The staff was friendly, place was casual, and service was fast. We will be going back every Friday as a new date night tradition. If you have never been, do yourself (and your belly) a favor and make the trip (and order extra-- it makes for amazing leftovers)!
(5)
Lauren P.
This is some of the best pizza in the Burgh! Glad they added more seating and did some renovations. This place is usually pretty busy, the food is great at the right price. Two slices of their square cut pizza is enough for me and at a $1.40 a slice you cannot go wrong. The shredded cheese on top is truly for the cheese lovers like me. You can ask them to melt the cheese on top but I like it just as is. If you choose to add toppings they give you plenty and charge about 50 cents def worth it. They also serve hoagies and sandwiches which I would love to try but the pizza is too darn good not to get.
(4)
Amanda V.
This pizza was okay. I tried after hearing a bunch of people talk about it and the none melted cheese. Who wouldn't be curious? The pizza is a little over priced. I think they could cut costs a bit if they weren't putting pounds of unnecessary mozzarella on top. The crust was really crispy and thick which I loved. The sauce is sweet but was good. The cheese...the mound of cheese... It was a little too. I had to take off half of it. Kinda a waste. I may go back but not going to be my go to pizza place.
(3)
Jay W.
When I'm in the Burgh there is no other pizza choice! Worth the drive from anywhere! Great selection and priced fairly!
(5)
Carley P.
I don't know why everyone is complaining about the cheese not being melted. THAT'S THE POINT! Delicious, cheap, and fast. Easily one of my favorite spots in Pittsburgh. My only complaint is that the dining area is very dirty.
(4)
Dennis T.
Ok, so the gimmick is cold cheese and toppings on freshly cooked dough and sauce. It doesn't work. I get the same effect from a microwave pizza that wasn't in long enough. Also, if you are going to serve your food this way (unfinished), at least have the decency to use quality ingredients. I'm quite certain the pepperoni was of the Hormel variety. I don't understand why you would spend your money on a low quality, unfinished pizza when there are SO many better options in the area. However, based on the amount of business they were doing you may want to give it a try. I for one will not be returning...
(1)
Christopher G.
This is the most unusually constructed pizza that I've yet to have eaten, and it's fairly tasty as well. The positives: Cold cheese and toppings are dumped upon a otherwise (presumably) normally cooked pizza. It's fun to watch the reactions of others trying it for the first time, since it's likely the oddest pizza they've ever eaten. Those that love it, love it, and those that hate it, well, I'd like to think they at least have respect for pizza this strange. I don't love the pizza here, or hate it, but it's good enough for me to enjoy with friends. Oh, and there's pinball! The negatives: It's a greasy pizza joint with about the same level of decor and apparent cleanliness as most pizza joints I visit. That is to say, it could be nicer, but it seems to be the norm. Conclusion: Novelty Pizza + Pinball = Try this if you are in Pittsburgh
(3)
Jason F.
I stopped in here by myself this past Saturday at around 6:30 in the evening. I had been here once before but it had been a number of years prior. Man was this place packed! I had trouble finding a parking spot and upon entering the restaurant there were no open tables and about 10 people waiting for their orders. Since I was due elsewhere later in the evening I decided to order four cuts of pepperoni to go. After that I sat down on a chair to wait. It was at this point that I heard one of the employees telling another that they should tell everyone it would be about a 30 minute wait. Thankfully it only ended up being a 15 minute wait before I was out the door and into my car. So how did the pizza taste? Sorry Beto's and the South Hills but I just don't get cold cheese and toppings on top of a baked crust. This is now two times that I have tried it and this time I was prepared for it and more than willing to give it a better chance. However it just does not work for me. The positives for the pizza are that the crust is super crispy, almost cracker like, which I really liked. I don't know that I have had another pizza crust that was this crispy before. There was also a ridiculous amount of cheese on my four slices which I consider to be a good thing. As to the negatives of the pizza, the main one is the cold toppings. To me it doesn't really feel right and I am not a fan of it. This also causes a secondary issue of the pizza being extremely messy to eat. Since the cheese hasn't melted together and also hasn't melted the toppings on, it goes everywhere. The bottom line for me is that I probably will not be back again in the future. While I know that many people love it, it really doesn't do it for me.
(2)
J.R. H.
I visited Betos 6/25/15. I ordered 4 cuts with mushrooms. The young lady who took my order was very polite. My pizza was promptly brought to my table and it tasted outstanding. Betos has always been my favorite pizza in Pittsburgh.
(5)
Jay Z.
A friend of mine had been begging me to try this place for quite a while.I have to admit, it just didn't sound good to me, but he claimed it was the best pizza on earth. Finally, in desperation, he volunteered to pay for me if we went there for lunch. Free lunch? I'm in! So, to sum up my Beto's experience: 1st trip: I had to admit that it was good, but it wasn't my favorite. I thought of it as something that was great when you were in the mood for it. 2nd trip: I was craving it, and instigated us going back. 3rd trip: I was hooked and referred to it as the greatest pizza on earth! 7th trip: had a family member visiting from out of town and made the 75 mile round trip from my house just to have pizza there. 9th trip +: Still loving it! If you haven't tried it, you have to! And if you haven't tried it more than once, do it, and you'll be addicted too!
(5)
Chris K.
Either you get it or you dont. The cold cheese might sound weird, the toppings being cold might not sound good, just shut up and try it. This pizza is unlike any you've had before but if you like pizza it is a must have. I dont make a trip to Pittsburgh with out stopping by Betos. The toppings are plentiful, the cheese is ridiculous and the crust is super crispy. Love this place.
(5)
Elliott W.
Quick service. Good sauce. Nice selection of toppings. So much cheese I feel greasy. It's okay.
(3)
Heather R.
Love this place! Either you like it or you dont....theres no in between. The cheese is thrown on cold to a hot out-of-the-oven crust. Simplicity at its best. The dough and sauce are fresh made by hand daily (at least they were when I worked there). Ask for it baked if you want the cheese melted, but it can take 10 more minutes. You can also ask for "No Sprinkles". There is a lot of cheese per piece. All of the ingredients are thrown on cold. The green peppers and mushrooms are from a can. These are fresh cut: cheese, pepperoni, onions. Im sure I forgot some but theres a lot. No sausage. The other foods are good. But dont waste your time. Just get the pizza. They accept cash and credit cards.
(5)
Jason P.
Nowhere else quite like betos. If you love cheese and like trying something different this place is awesome. I grew up in Pittsburgh and get back rarely, but when I do I go out of my way to grab a couple slices!
(5)
Danielle Q.
Amazing is all you can say about this pizza. Being that I am from Weirton, West Virginia originally this is the only pizza that reminds me of "home". If you have never had square pizza I recommend you get some right now. Top those slices with some nice cold cheese and you don't even need any other toppings. I can't speak highly enough about this place!!
(5)
Brooke A.
Tiny little ordinary looking Beto's somehow manages to be an interesting pizza place. How? Well, remember the pizza lunchables you used to get as a kid, where you put all the cold toppings on top of your little pizza shell? That's essentially Beto's pizza, only about 50 times better obviously. It comes in massive slices with cheese and toppings spilling out all over the place. Their sandwiches are massive and delicious. (They will toss those in the oven to melt the cheese.) The place is super tiny, and it can be difficult to find a table, but we've never been left standing, and I've been there a decent amount, normally with the Sunday lunch crowd.
(4)
Erin S.
My friend brought me here for the first time over the weekend and honestly, I was extremely skeptical when I saw the pizza. She said it was a "must try" if you're in Pittsburgh, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Wow. It was unlike any pizza I've ever had. It should be its own genre of pizza. I had a slice with extra cheese, and it was wonderfully messy. The cheese isn't melted, so it was falling all over the place. But seriously, it is actually incredible. I also had some of her Italian hoagie which was delicious! If you're looking for a unique pizza experience, definitely try Beto's.
(5)
Dc B.
This has been one of my favorite Pizza places in the US. When i get into town it is my first stop. I love the crisp crust and the generous amount of toppings. The cheese is the best! Plan and simple is best in my book and in my belly! Cheers!
(5)
Ashleigh M.
I've had a rough day. A really rough day. I'm not even hungry. I really want to do nothing but sleep. But I CAN'T. You know why? Betos pizza is down the street! I can't miss out on the amazingness that is betos. This has been a staple in my family for several generations, and i try to stop here whenever I can. The secret to their pizza- a combination of regular, melted cheese and then a whole bunch of cold cheese on top. It creates a beautiful harmony of dairy delights. This is deserving of a normal picture.
(5)
Brittany S.
We ended up going in and getting slices for carry out. The service was very good. The cashier was very friendly and even complimented us. The wait time was only about 5 minutes, if that. We got 14 slices and paid about $30.00, which is pretty pricey. You end up paying extra for each topping on each slice. I've had pizza with cold cheese on top at another close by pizza shop, so I was expecting something similar. I was disappointed to find all of the toppings were uncooked. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite, like the prior pizza shop. Maybe if they cooked the toppings and placed the cold cheese on top? I did like how the slices we're square and thick though. I will stop back, even if it wasn't what I anticipated!
(3)
J S.
Best pizza in the land (Steeler's Nation that is), enough said. Eat it there for the crisp crust, if you like crust a little more forgiving get it to go and let it soak up the juices from the San Marzano tomatoes. Another bene to having the pizza on premise, the cold sprinkled cheese. To die for. Coming at peak times is risky, as the dining room is small and seating is first come first served. I love this place, and have been eating here for 25 years, since I was a little guy. I would say Fiori's is a close second, but when I am in town and have limited time...Beto's it is!
(5)
Josh D.
As a lifelong devotee of Chicago deep dish pizza, I was a bit skeptical when my uncle took me here on a trip to Pittsburgh a few years ago. "Cheese is supposed to be melted", I thought. Sure enough, the pizza was great. Enough to win me over, even. The crunchy crust combined with the warm sauce and cold cheese piled high was like nothing I've ever had before. When I came into town again this past month, Beto's was my first stop. Do go here.
(5)
Roshni P.
On a busy Sunday night, my family and I walked in, put in an order, walked over to a table, and the food was at the table within 5 minutes. The quick service deserves 3 starts. The staff consists of all teenagers, at least from what I saw. They were all super friendly though, so no issues there. The food though was amazing. I had 2 super picky kids in my group and they loved it as well. Two pieces are enough to fill you up, if not too much. Like another reviewer mentioned, the pizza does come with a lot of cheese so I wouldn't recommend extra cheese. I highly recommend this place if you are in the mood for pizza with a twist and I can't wait to come back to Pittsburgh specifically for this place!
(4)
Joey L.
Good pizza as well as other great menu options. Good prices too.
(4)
Amanda K.
This "pizza" was the worst food I have ever eaten.
(1)
Lizzie D.
I really enjoy Beto's Pizza because it's truly unlike any other pizza you've had! The dough is hot and the toppings are placed on cold! Be careful, the car ride home really can make the toppings all melt together, which makes the pizza still very good, but not as good as the unique tasting cold toppings that you go to Beto's for! The pizza can get pricey with additional pricing for many of the toppings, but it is totally worth it! The ingredients are so fresh and the pizza is so yummy!
(5)
Alex R.
I always love it here! Huge tip: if you get an order to go, ask for the toppings separate so they are still raw! Its absolutely awesome!
(5)
Veronica S.
Love the food... Service could be better, waited almost an hour for two cuts of cheese pizza, but it was great
(4)
Matt H.
One of my favorite pizza spots in Pittsburgh. Been coming here for years. The only downside is if you go and they are just putting a pizza into the oven. The wait to grab your cuts can be a long wait. Well worth it because of how damn good it is.
(5)
Mike B.
Thinking cold toppings is going to tast great sounds odd....... But, this is great pizza. When you commit to doing something as odd as cold toppings you are going to strike out or hit a homer. Betos hit a Grandslam. Please stop in. It's a dive but it's outrageously good!!!
(5)
Dan M.
This is a place where people either love it or hate it. Beto's offers thin, square cuts. They bake the tray of pizza with a handful or two of cheese. When it comes out they pile fresh cold cheese and toppings. If you eat it right away you get the unique flavors of warm crust, hot sauce, cold shredded cheese & cold toppings. It's a unique style & in my opinion ranks Beto's in the top 3 pizza spots in Pittsburgh. In addition to their pizza, I think Beto's has the best Italian hoagies in Pittsburgh. I believe their cheese is what elevates their food. Absolutely amazing!
(5)
Dionne M.
Addicted to this place. What a unique burst of flavors when you bite into a slice of Beto's pizza. Cold cheese, hot sauce and crunchy crust truly speak to my mouth's palate. I always find an excuse to stop her. Last time we had a steak hoagie too. It was big and full of flavor as well. It's no wonder they have been around for a long time. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE BETO'S. ~ Dionne Malush, Pittsburgh Realtor
(5)
Dick F.
Definitely a must have but different..only place I've ever been that only bakes the dough n sauce then puts on toppings including a mound of cheese once it's out of the oven..the sauce is great w chunks of tomatoes....you can also bring home the pizza n bake a few minutes to melt the cheese n toppings which makes it a 5star pie....The Italian hoagie is really good also..
(4)
Joyce C.
I love Beto's pizza! It is not always the same though. Occasionally you get a day when it's off. It is also not for everyone. Tons of unmelted cheese, whole tomatoes, very crispy crust. If your up to try something different, Beto's is it. Their hoagies are also very good. They aren't super expensive, and I like how you can get as many cuts as you want. Sometimes I just don't want a whole pizza!
(4)
Michael B.
Subs are out of this world! Huge in flavor and size! Definitely worth the stop. Fast service
(5)
L L.
We only moved to Pittsburgh last year, so we are far from locals, but it only took one visit for us to become devotees of Beto's. I understand the polarizing nature of a Beto's style pizza, but we definitely have established ourselves at the far THUMBS UP end of the spectrum. By not cooking the pizza with the toppings, it preserves the fantastic crust, by not allowing the oil from melted cheese to make it soft and gooey. Instead the crust remains fresh, firm and flavorful. They sauce is deliciously fresh and tangy, with lots of nice chunks of tomato. And the toppings, we get either just cheese or cheese/pepperoni and generous and delicious. It may take a little getting used to, and you may have to wait because of its popularity, but Beto's is worth it. As someone who has enjoyed NYC and Chicago style pizzas at their best, Beto's has redefined great pizza for my family and me. Enjoy!
(5)
Allison D.
Odd.... I'd say it's not bad, but it's not good either. Super sloppy and there's far better pizza elsewhere. The dining room atmosphere is weird... It's like where Sugar Bear took June on their date to the cafeteria but without fluorescent lights. Plastic forks, plastic knives, and paper plates with crying kids and no beer. I'll pass next time.
(3)
Phil B.
I read some of the negative reviews & if those folks would have checked out the tips, they would of read that you can ask for the cheese to be baked rather than just the cold topping which they has been one of their trademarks since I was a teenager. Additionally, the price is exceptional. We're talking pizza here, not Ruth Chris....
(5)
Tammy F.
The pizza is ok. The tomato chunks are delicious and the pepperoni too. But they don't bake it and the stuff all slides off the crust. Overloaded too much with cheese . Not horrible but certainly not the best.
(3)
Dave P.
I had not been to Betos in many many years. Boy has the place grown up. Still the same pizza that you will either love or hate. The Pizza here has the chesse and topings put on after they cook it so it melts some while you eat it. Tastes really good. I also has the apetizer sampler which was a lot of food for two people. Was not to crowded, but full Saturday at lunch. Highly recommended.
(4)
Helena S.
First off, had my boyfriend not told me that every topping on the pizza was cold (including the cheese!), I would have never known. They should really have an illuminated sign that advises the customers. I'm sure you have gathered that this pizza is kind of presented exactly like frozen pizza from the store except the bread is cooked. I think the appeal to this place is that it is different - Some people go to restaurants where you can cook your own food because it's different but the fact of the matter is that when I go out to eat, I don't expect to cook it myself and I don't expect it to come half cooked. Had this pizza been cooked, I feel like it would be subpar. The crust was very crispy and the sauce was a standard tomato (no extra hints of basil or pepper). The peperoni reminded me of the peperoni that comes in Lunchables - actually the whole pizza reminded me of a Lunchable (except a pie made of 28 cuts is $35.28 with $.50 per topping a CUT!) To be fair, each cut is $1.30 and you only need 3-4 to really, really be full. They really lay on the toppings - about an inch of cheese, 20 slices of peperoni and a handful of banana peppers for just two cuts with toppings . I feel that you really need to be in the mood for Betos before you go there. When I am in the mood for pizza, I am heading for the flowing, stringy cheese and the flavors melting together before it hits my mouth. I would eat here again if I get the craving - some people in the restaurant had ordered other menu items that looked to be pretty good. I wouldn't take somewhere here as a Pittsburgh Destination though. There is about 10 tables in the restaurant (booths/tables) ... clean/reputable.
(2)
John B.
The best. Not as good as it was in the early 70's but still love it.
(5)
Nick H.
Beto's Pizza is definitely my go-to pizza in Dormont, even though I have to hop in my car and drive down there. Trust me, the drive back always seems like it takes forever, because I feel so weighed down from their delicious pizza. Beto's is a little unorthodox when it comes to your traditional pie of pizza. First, they sell pizza by the square slice ( which isn't so unorthodox, I know) and second their pizza comes out with the cheese uncooked on top of the hot crust, along with any other toppings you might fancy. So, yes, you will eat your pizza with uncooked cheese on it. And yes, YOU WILL LIKE IT. Beto's breaks the holier-than-thou commandments of pizza with their methods of pizza production, and while indulging yourself with their pizza, it never felt so right. Try eating more than four pieces, I dare you.
(4)
Zach G.
I don't get it. Cold cheese and cold pepperoni on my pizza? Why does Pittsburgh have to be so weird? I just got accustomed to fries and coleslaw on my sandwiches but a guy has to draw the line somewhere. And what's with everyone bagging up their extra cheese and taking it home? My gut tells me this would be an awesome pizza if only they'd cook it.
(2)
Ryan P.
Wow, just wow. That was without a doubt the worst "pizza" I've ever had in my life. Maybe you would like it. Do you like all of your toppings out of a can? I didn't even know you could get canned green bell peppers. Do you like your slices of pizza to be covered with a huge several inch thick mound of uncooked mozzarella cheese? If answer is yes, then maybe this place is for you. It is definitely not for me.
(2)
Cindy M.
Wow what a great place! My coworker and I were told by locals that this was the place to go and they were so right!!! I got a two cuts of pizza with pepper on top and what they do is cook the crust with chunks of tomato and then the add cold toppings including the cheese... sounds strange, but it is amazing!! Great concept, very friendly workers and delicious food!!
(5)
Craig N.
Didn't live up to my expectations at all. Waste of time and money. Sloooooow service.
(2)
Kathryn L.
I have been eating Beto's pizza since i was a little girl. Our family would pick up 4 cuts for carry-out, but we werent allowed to open the box until the cheese had melted a bit. I make it a point to stop by whenever i am in town. There is something about the fresh cheesy goodness, the crispy crust, sauce with big chunks of tomato and pepperoni ( even though it is not cooked) that makes my tastebuds and my heart sing. Either you love it, or you just cant figure out what it is because it's so unlike any other pizza you will have eaten and you will hate it. To be clear, they bake the pizza and sauce and when it comes out of the oven they load on the cheese and any other toppings. The cheese melts a bit, but not entirely. There is a lot of cheese - no need to order extra cheese! Good subs as well.
(5)
Xine M.
I echo that you will love or hate Beto's, depending on what you think of the cold cheese on the pizza. I recommend at least trying it. It's only $1.30 per slice, so what do you have to lose? I also love the curly fries with cheese. It is definitely an affordable and tasty meal. I haven't seen any reviews about the annoying signs ALL OVER the cash register/ counter area. There are signs telling you not to talk on your cell phone; not to eat in the dining room if you have a takeout order; not to refill your drink with a courtesy cup; to be prepared to wait if you want your cheese cooked. I don't like to be yelled at as a customer, and find it very off-putting. The staff is just pretty surly in general. Otherwise, I'd give them another star.
(3)
Evan S.
Worse than store freezer pizza. What with the cold cheese on top of hot pizza? Terrible. If you want quality; Fiori's is a few miles away.
(1)
Christen M.
The pizza was fine. My issue is that, if you aren't like other pizza places with your pricing, you should maybe tell me that when I call to order a medium with two toppings. We ended up with a $36 pizza that will take us days to eat, when I THOUGHT I ordered a medium with pepperoni and sausage on half. All young kids working there. No professionalism. No explaination of anything. 50 cents per slice for every topping? Well yeah we got 14 slices, so do the math. NOT a medium. Boxed up horribly, so on our 3 minute ride home, the box was leaking grease out of the corner. I was so upset over spending nearly $40 on something that I thought would be cheap and easy, I couldn't even enjoy the pizza. Its just whatever pizza anyway. Save your money and go to Slice on Broadway. 1/3 of the price, staff is wonderful, and they have a liquor license and fair prices. Slice should get half the publicity this place gets. Never mind that I've lived in Pittsburgh all my life and have never heard of Betos until I moved 3 streets behind it. NOT a "Pittsburgh institution."
(2)
Richard M.
The pizza deserves 5 stars, it's not like any other pizza on the planet. Nice hot crispy crust with cold cheese& toppings thrown on at the last minute before serving. Definitely an awesome experience, but the bad... I've had the steak hoagie which cannot be more straight forward, steak-um(unseasoned) LTO and cheese. Just stick to the pizza. You won't be disappointed
(4)
Mike S.
A different style (love or hate) pizza. A square cut thicker crust with cold shredded cheese on top. It's different enough that it is a good chance of pace to your standard pie.
(4)
Rachel W.
No way. A ton of cold shredded cheese thrown on top of pizza? No no no. No beer either.
(1)
Duy N.
Not like any other pizza you have ever had. The crust is crispy and the cheese is uncooked. I hated it at first...but now I live it! You might have to try it a few times. I will keep coming back. And the price is so cheap! $1.45 for a slice? Kidding me?
(4)
Steven H.
Ohio valley square pizza by the slice...or cut(I should know better!) Crispy crust, chunky piping hot tomato sauce, cold cheese....but you have to eat it there! Loses its appeal if cheese melts and crust gets soggy. My family has been eating here since they ran it out of the old building next door! A real craving-type pizza with an acquired taste. Also a family of 4 can get out of here for around $25.
(5)
Jeremy K.
My first half cooked Pizza! So I have heard about Beto's for quite some time now. From my main man, and Dormont's own Anthony Pecora (now), to my other main man, Nick Rockwell, who used to play at Dormont park and eat the pizza as a kid. My first imprecision, "Damn, they didn't cook my pie!" I have heard a lot about this pizza but know one has ever said anything about a "Raw": slice of pizza! But to no avail, it was an illusion. It seems as if they cook there pizza and then top it with the toppings....? Strange..? Well, yes it is strange to this jedi, but Beto's knows what they are doing! The crust is in word, umm, ahhh, AWESOME! Nice and crunhcy, light and flaky, and also has the moistness of a biscuit.......if that makes any sense. Sauce is also good, nothing crazy, just good ole pizza sauce. The sauce reminds me of Kiddyland Pizza at Kennywood, or it has the feel of Della Sala's Pizza (Verona). I went with my favorite pizza combination, Mushroom & Onion. I was excited because they use canned mushrooms and loaded them on. Call me weird, but i love canned mushroom on my pizza. Another delight, the onion was sliced into rings. Onions HAVE to be sliced into rings for pie....plain an simple. Diced? One pissed of jedi! Like I said before, raw toppings, so it was a shock to bite into raw cheese and onion. The raw onion went well with the whole Beto's thing they have going on. I was pleased. I will be back to Beto's and it is a great change of pace. I do not know if it is blaspheme to order the pie "double cooked", but I would like to try that. It would definitely be a knife & fork pie. * JEDI APPROVED *
(4)
Joe D.
I was out with a friend the night before new years eve. Note to self: veggie burgers are not a meal for a man. After seeing Harry Potter 7.1 at the theatre we both proclaimed we were hungry for abnormal pizza. Let me explain, we didn't want to order generic, neighborhood delivery pizza. Pretty much I'm tired of tasteless, no crust pies that lack nuance. Since lesbian friend of Joe D lives in Dormont, Beto's was a natural. She's never had the beto's experience. So I told her to follow my lead, I ordered two slices, one with black olives, the other was plain, small drink. She ordered two slices , extra cheese and pepperoni. I forgot to tell her, nay, I purposely didn't tell her about the cheese because I knew she'd turn her nose up at it because the idea of cheese not melted on a pizza would surely upset the planets and cause disruption in the space/time continuem. But it backfired on me and the one thing I didn't expect was her to order extra cheese. We sat down and I explained to her the total stupidity of ordering a large drink in a place that offers free refills. Order a small, it's way cheaper and this really sounds like a scene that could have played out on an episode of Seinfeld. Pizza time! The look on her face was one of shock, like mine when I realized that America was indeed stupid enough to elect George Bust for a second term. The cheese was piled high, and no visible evidence of anything under this massive mass of diary goodness. Like a trooper she picked up a slice and dived in. She liked it! After we downed our slices I told her how sitting here has brought me back to my high school years. The pizza still has that same texture, creamy cool cheese, warm crunchy crust, and wonderful smell. Beto's is still my choice for best pie in the Burgh
(5)
Michael P.
The thing about Beto's is you either love it or you hate. I personally love it. The uniqueness of the cold toppings on the hot pizza is something that Beto's does perfectly. I've been a loyal customer for 10+ years and have continued to order 3 cuts with extra cheese every time. One of the biggest perks to Beto's is that it's family owned by a great group of people. This place is sure to not disappoint.
(4)
Kelly J.
Beto's Pizza is a "must have" when I'm in Pittsburgh. This place is full of nostalgia for me because we used to get it when we visited my Gram and Pap. It's definitely one of those love it or hate it places. You order the pizza by the slice. I've only ever had cheese, extra cheese and pepperoni. My favorite to order is just plain cheese. They bake the crust and put on the sauce (with these big, sweet pieces of tomato) and then slap the cheese on cold. If you get it to go, you close it up in the box and the cheese is the perfect bit of melted by the time you get home.
(5)
Paul D.
Ok , I have lived here in Pittsburgh most of my life , And I LOVE Pizza. Beto's is a Pittsburgh Icon but defiantly nowhere near the top pizzeria. But you have to have your Beto's "FIX" once in a while. I usually get 4 cut's with Pepperoni , and you get your money's worth. Plenty of Pepperoni & Cheese. If you do not like the un-melted cheese , wait a little , it will melt. As for you pretentious types , Pizza is NOT a health food. If you need a Salad , maybe go back to California and eat your wheat grass. I Like Beto's and I will recommend it to folks , Just not every week !
(4)
Jessica W.
You will either love it or hate it. As a Pittsburgh native, I absolutely love it and it's my favorite pizza. They cook the pizza without the cheese and when it comes out of the oven, they put the cold cheese and toppings on the pizza. If you are eating there (and the pizza is best immediately out of the oven), the cheese will melt in your mouth as you are eating it. The slices are big and they really load them up with cheese. Also, the sauce has huge tomato chunks in it, unless you ask for it without. As far as the actual restaurant, they made a major upgrade a few years ago and it is much more accommodating than it was before. Prior to the renovations, it was tiny with a few small booths and very little standing room. I believe this may be a strictly Pittsburgh thing because I have found nothing like this (other than a chain in West Virginia) that makes pizza this way. That being said, every time I visit Pittsburgh, Beto's is my very first stop after leaving the airport.
(5)
Teena M.
It's like fruit cake either you love it or hate it, very different I must say. I am so not for the cold uncooked toppings on my pizza, sorry I need melted cheese and hot toppings to please me.
(3)
Jeremy K.
This is absolutely my favorite pizza of all time. I've been going to Beto's since I was a kid, and it's as good as it ever was. I can see why some people may not like it, because it is so different than your typical neighborhood pizza, but for me, it can't be beat.
(5)
Jessica S.
I love this place. Every time I am town I have to stop and pick up a couple cuts. I even take them home with me to Baltimore. They are great even days later. Coming to town in a couple weeks and am I definitely taking some home to my fiance. Cheese cheese and more cheese please. This is my favorite pizza ever.
(5)
Adam V.
Great food and great pricing.
(4)
Jim M.
Love the pizza but they have changed the pepperoni again. I love spicy but with the profile of everything else it throws it off for me. Still will come back.
(3)
Dean F.
Been going here for years, and will continue...I agree with some of the others, you will either love it or hate it.. It's just different, but classic in its own way... Square cut pizza with cold toppings... So frigging good...just let the cheese melt.....
(5)
Jim H.
I tried the "cold cheese and toppings" slice that Beto's is famous for. If you have heard about there style of serving pizza, and are wondering what the punch line is, there isn't one. They make a big square tomato-sauce pizza and throw cold shredded cheese and other cold toppings on it, and that's it. There's no secret ingredient or special something that makes it tastes like anything other than what you would get it you grabbed pizza fixings from your kitchen and forgot to bake them. I guess a lot of people like it, and more power too them. But I don't get it. Ramblin' Boy didn't get it. I see zero reason to agree with people that say that this is the "best" pizza in the region. Maybe their hoagies will be better.
(2)
Sarah B.
Say what you want about Beto's but it is certainly unique. You either love it or you hate it. I love it. But... this wasn't always the case. When I first went there, after hearing my boyfriend rave about it for years I was nervous to tell him what I actually thought. Cold cheese? What is this nonsense. But after the second trip it grew on me. Now I'm hooked. Like other people have said when you want pizza you get pizza. When you want Beto's you get Beto's. If you're in the mood for a typical Friday night quick pizza place this isn't going to do it for you. But, if you go in expecting it for what it is you may just enjoy it. Now it's always busy. If you want carry out call it in, as I've found myself waiting 25 minutes when I thought I'd swing by and pick up a few slices. If you want to eat in prepare to wait for a table at peak times. Then try to awkwardly make a mad dash to the next available table while competing with 4 other people. Since I've been going in there most of the people working are nice. There's one bad apple who seems to be a total snot and I can't stand her waiting on me. But, there are a bunch of other nice ones to make up for her 'tude. I've heard the other food is great. I've only had the onion rings and they are awesome. So try it out if you don't like it you're not alone but if you love it you're a member of the cool kids club.
(5)
Paul R.
This is a place you either love or hate I love it! every time I am in Pittsburgh I have to stop in and get enough so I have take home. The pizza is sold by the square slice. The sauce is chunky tomato based and baked with cheese. period. after it comes out of the oven it is sliced and heaped with more cheese and what ever topping you want. I suggest just sticking to the peperoni. The toppings are not cooked, the cheese melts a bit but not all the way and the peperoni is lukewarm at best. My mouth is watering while I write this. You probably will not see 3 stars on any reviews. Give it a shot
(4)
Nolan F.
I absolutely LOVE betos When i first moved to Pittsburgh i actually hated it and refused to get the pizza, so i would just stick with the Italian Hoagie..... Yummmm it is probably the best hoagie in the burgh, no jokes. The pizza i grew to, and i assume that some people have to do the same. But boy did i grow to it fast once i did. I remember one day just trying a slice and was in love with it. I think it has to be the sauce, it is so so so so sweet and just abosultely amazing. The cheese is also amazing because it makes the hot cold sensation just that much better. I always get 2 slices, 1 mushroom 1 plain and an italian hoagie with lettuce pickles mayo I truely cant wait to get back to the burgh to have some betos A down side to betos is it gets pricey if you eat alot. But hey if thats what good pizza costs then so be it, im happy with it
(5)
Britney T.
I'm a fan of Betos. I like the fact that the cheese isn't always melted. The slices are square and the prices are reasonable. Ranch dressing or bleu cheese and you're good to go! The pizza itself is simple: crust, sauce, and cheese. I'm pretty certain that you have to go pick it up, or that's just been my traditional order of things. It's been a while since I've had their pizza, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(3)
Jarrett H.
Blah blah blah, cold toppings, piled high cheese, yinzer childhoods, etc. Beto's gets three stars because it is inconsistent - and they themselves admit it. I've had pizza from here that is outright bad, I've also had pizza here which nudged against my all time top pizzas list. Usually there will be a cycle for me where I will have a really good slice, and convince myself I have to go back there - sometimes in the same week. Then I'll have a bad slice and forget about it for months, maybe even years. Then I'll be in the area again and the cycle will continue. The cold cheese doesn't bug me because you get so much (portion size here is far beyond ample. $1.25 for each slice - 4 is well beyond my maximum - gets you about a 1/3 of a bag of mozzarella, an extra $.50 will get you as much of whatever topping you feel like having). If you get take-out, it'll pretty much melt by the time you get home if you leave the box shut. One thing to note - this is my favorite place to get black olives on a pizza, since they don't go into the oven.
(3)
Darren W.
Pops has telling me for years that the hot sausage sandwich is the thing to get at Beto's. Well, the Cosmic Trickster was REALLY being a tool yesterday, throwing my plans into a blender with a number of pranks that included an unexpected road closing among other glitches. Our circumstances basically left us with no real choice but to go to Beto's. The girlfriend's sick of sandwiches and pizza. Hence our apprehension. I Ioved their food the last time I was here but didn't wanna hear any kvetching. People with low blood sugar get into..."moods." I got her an Italian hoagie to play it safe as I got into a knock-down, drag-out streetfight with my hot sausage. The sausage itself was packed with spices and was probably made in an Italian grandmother's basement. That sauce was over-the-top, over-the-top like that Bullet For My Valentine tune... youtube.com/watch?v=c8k0… Now as you should know if you don't already, Beto's controversially coats their pizza in unbaked cheese. Hey, I kinda dig it but many don't. They DO melt it for the hot sausage however. Hmmmm... It was as good as I had heard, but man was it a handful in terms of getting eaten. I looked a bloody mess after I was done, as if my dining experience was instead a barbed wire deathmatch! Mothers gawked in horror, shielding the eyes of their kids. Portly men cheered me on, stomping their feet and chanting my name when I got into trouble. A little old lady hit my sandwich with a cane! I kid the hot sausage.
(4)
Abby K.
This is the kind of pizza where the toppings are added after the crust is cooked. Cheese included. It's a novelty, and for some folks it's their favorite pizza. The taste is good, if a little weird, but for me, it didn't satisfy my pizza craving. This location was crowded and the wait was long, but the people were nice.
(2)
Mary S.
Canned green peppers!?! Way too much cheese. The yinzers seem to like it. The average BMI in that place was probably close to 30 and no wonder; the food is incredibly unhealthy. The pizza crust tasted like Pizza Hut. Maybe this place gets good reviews because it's a unique twist on unhealthy; loads of uncooked mozzarella.
(2)
Yeelo N.
Apparently, Beto's has conformed to the tourist since they now have definitions on how they cook their pie. If you want your cheese and toppings melted, be prepared to wait an extra 15 minutes and asked for it "baked". Well, I didn't get the memo in time. I split the Italian Hoagie and two pieces of pie, extra cheese. **Italian sub - superb! 5* winner! The bread was warm and crusty, but not hard. The meats were warm, not too greasy, and plentiful. The serving size was ample. Must order this again next time! **Pizza with extra cheese, not "baked" - no really, shouldn't you cook it first? I'd give the pie 3*s. Overall, the quality of the ingredients were high and the cheese was very good. I especially liked the whole tomato pieces they served on the slices, but if I were to order this again next time, I'd either get it "baked" or go light on the cheese. I couldn't even come close to eating the 2nd slice.
(4)
Spike T.
I'm a N.Y. thin crust guy. This pizza is the antithesis of N.Y. style pizza so I didn't really get it. It's just not my taste but it may be yours so read on. I went with a born & raised Pittsburghian who hasn't lived in the 'burgh for a decade. He had fond memories of this place so late one night we set out for Beto's. He was surprised to find that the place is now housed in a fairly new upgraded building giving off a somewhat upscale vibe. Even though it was after midnight, they were still serving take out... so hooray for their late night hours. We orders some "cuts" (Pittsburgh's way of saying "slices") to go and ate them in our car in the parking lot. For the former Pittsburgher, the place may have changed, but the pizza tasted just as he remembered. Tangy sauce, cuts in rectangular shape, crust was bready but had some crunch on its underside. The unique thing about this pizza is they take it out of the oven and then add the cheese... and alot of it.... so its not altogether melted when you eat it. My friend loved it. To me it was unique but just okay. I like a thinner crust, cheese melted and cooked all the way through, crust less bready. You may like it. However, You just may need to have eaten it as a kid to truly love it.
(3)
Alex W.
I guess for what it is, a thick crust with a canned tomatoes and uncooked mid/low grade cheese, it was fine. It's just not my style of pizza. They do have some of the hottest wings I have every eaten, the very aptly named "after burners". The sauce is very tasty with an INTENSE slow burn.
This place is billed as a "unique" type of pizza. Its unique alright. Unique in the "Osama bin Laden" is a unique kinda of man kind of way. Yes, it is unique. But so would be giving customers a raw steak, a spork and a jagged piece of glass and calling it a steak dinner. Why such hard words? Well this pizza stinks. Its disgusting. I'd literally rather eat ipecac than this crap. "It can't be that bad," you're probably telling yourself. Rest assured, my friends, it is that bad....and its even worse than you can possibly imagine. You have to buy the pizza a slice at a time. And I use the word slice liberally. They're not really pizza slices. They're more like halved loaves of bread. They cover the bread in canned tomato paste and chuck it all in the oven. Well wait...what about the cheese and the toppings? Well at Beto's, you don't worry about cheese or toppings.. Instead of giving you 100% of a completed pizza, they give you 75% of a completed pizza and call it unique. You get this half-loaf with enough sauce on it for three pizzas. And instead of hot melty cheese, they take a huge pile of ice cold dollar store cheese and pile it on the saucy half-loaf. And if you want toppings, they pull them out of the fridge and shove them into sandwich bags. This is not a unique way to eat pizza, its a unique way to waste your freaking money. The sauce is disgusting. The cheese probably would be alright if they melted it. The toppings are nasty and cheap. The fact that they shove them into sandwich bags like you're a drug addict is just insult to injury. Now if the magic of this place is in the childhood memories of all the yinzers and various hillbillies. Well if this is the truth then you got screwed when it comes to childhood memories. I'm sure people that group up in Cambodia in the 70s have a few child memories, too. It doesn't make them very nice ones. If this is the kind of pizza your Mom and Dad forced down your throat when you were a kid, well I hope you don't hold grudges because I'd hate to hear about a wave of disgruntled adults forcing their bedridden parents to swallow Draino cocktails. Its that bad, folks. I'd rather ride the Port Authority than eat this pizza. The only people who say otherwise are idiots who don't know any better. Don't take it out on them. But don't eat their pizza.
(1)
Mike B.
From reading other reviews and dining guides, it looks like this is very much a hit or miss place. Either you love pizza with toppings thrown on after cooking, or you don't. I fall into the later category: I didn't like it at all. I ordered a slice of cheese pizza and a grilled chicken salad. For the pizza, the crust was salvageable after I pushed aside a good quantity of cheese (most of it). The salad was...nothing short of horrific. Overloaded with fries and (big surprise) more cheese, getting to the lettuce and other toppings took some digging. Eventually, I found bland tomatoes and shredded iceberg lettuce hidden far below. I don't get this place.
(1)
Jeffrey L.
So you walk in and proceed to the counter. You order the pizza with whatever toppings you so desire. You get handed your drink cups and a number to put on your table and try and find a seat. Maybe a 15 to 20 minute wait for your pizza. Your pizza comes out and...... "what the hell is this? Take this back! My cheese ain't melted and the pepperoni ain't cooked!" Chill my man.....take a few deep breaths....it'll be ok.....just TASTE it......there ya go.....holy cheese right?! What a blend....It's all over the place and people actually order extra! That sauce, nice.....sweet and chunky....yummy. And the crust....the crispy, chewy wonderful foundation that holds it all together. It's a bit different. But different in the best way. There's some great pizza out there. Different styles and different tastes. Do yourself a favor. If you're in the Banksville Rd./ Dormont area stop in this place....it's just delicious.
(5)
Erin B.
Being from Chicago, I'm a pizza snob. Yeah, I know, it's like comparing apples to oranges, but still...this is my review for Beto's. Anywhoo--this was a unique experience...the pizza comes out of the oven with just sauce, then mozzerella is piled on for a semi-melt addition. Who would have thought of this!? The pizza itself was good, and the sauce decent, but the whole semi-melt, I'll have to get used to. :-) I'd be back for a second shot at it!
(3)
Mike B.
Some of my favorite pizza on the planet. If you haven't had it remember, it is unique, don't walk in expecting 'factory' pizza. It is square cut and the cheese is put on after the crust and sauce are cooked. MONEY! If you are taking it out get the cheese on the side, we even get 'extra cheese' a lot of the time. Toppings: most toppings on the pizza are put on after it is cooked also. I usually go straight cheese ( not a fan of cold pep or mushrooms) The sause is old school nothing fancy but darn good, nice chunks of tomatos in the sauce. If your in town worth the experience, if you live near by...lucky you!
(5)
Violet T.
This is my Man's favorite pizza place. When he has visited Pittsburgh in the past without me, he sends me picture messages of his slices. On the plane ride coming into Pittsburgh last week, all he could talk about was Beto's. So, when we landed we of course drove right over (after being awake all night on a red eye flight) so that I could taste all that is awesome in Beto's pizza slices. It was very good. We ordered the simple extra cheese pizza. For those of you who are like me (from Oregon where I guess NO pizza is good), this pizza was hot crust, sauce, and minimal melted cheese, with fresh cold mozzarella piled HIGH on top. I have never had a slice of pizza put in front of me with so much cold cheese piled on it before. I wasn't exactly sure how to eat it, but figured it out, and it was very good, different but good. I would take Beto's pizza over Oregon pizza any day.
(4)
Debra T.
You have to be goofy to not like this pizza. Their sauce is tangy and delicious, probably the best I ever had, and The crust is perfectly crunchy not doughy and chewy which I cant stand. Truly unique and worth a try. I will be back.
(5)
Bob R.
Came back for the holidays, and stopped by Beto's. The pizza hasn't changed a bit, and it remains in my top three in the town. However, can someone please teach the kids working there how to keep up an establishment? Not once did I see someone clean tables or remove the number tags from the table. We had to clean our own table. The floor was littered with straw wrappers and napkins, especially under our table. The bathroom was in shambles and my friend mentioned that the ladies room was out of tp. Therefore--three stars, with the pizza saving the review from total damnation.
(3)
Brooke R.
Love it or hate it? Well I hate it. My Pittsburgh vacation would not be complete without a visit to Beto's. I loved your city, your hick bars (although I was told that it gets even more hick than this, but I wasn't ready to experience more), your redneck walmart, your sandwiches with the sides in the sandwich and not on the side like the name implies, and finally, your Sheetz. Sheetz is my favorite. But back to Beto's. It just doesn't taste good. The dining experience is not high class. It's not even middle class. It's like lower than McDonald's. What's with that TV gaming system at the bar? I didn't enjoy hearing that throughout my meal. Please melt your cheese. Or at least make your slices bigger. If I had a big slice of uncooked cheese I would feel bad about not eating it and you would get more stars from me on Yelp.
(1)
Greg R.
This was just bad pizza. For the money I expect that the toppings will be cooked on the pizza. The cheese and pepparoni were added after the crust came out. Also the mushrooms were out of a can. Do not waste money here.
(1)
William G.
So on our first night here in Pittsburgh it's getting late and we are hungry. Everythings closed at the point and it's only after 10 pm on a Sunday. We accidentally end up at Beto's and plan to get a medium pizza. They inform us the sell pizza by the slice and it come different from traditional pizza. The pizza crust is cooked with sauce. Once removed from over COLD cheese is put on top with cold topping of your choice. At this point I'm thinking about a sub! My wife decides to try the cold and they tell me they can make them hot if we wish so I get 3 hot ones...I decide I atleast need to bite hers to try this out. We are from Ct...and are accustomed to not only the best pizza in the world but it also being hot. I try my hot version of their pizza and it's just ok. Then I try the cold slice they are known for and it's pretty awesome. I finish my hot slice and we get 2 slices to go...the way they make them normally. I have to confess I should have gone with my first instinct which was just to try it the way they make it....after all it's kinda the point of going to new places...you should not only experience the culture but the food aswell! A must try if you passing through and have never had it like this before.
(3)
Russell E.
Sorry, but our pizza was cold. All nine cuts of it. And the garlic wings didn't taste like garlic. Maybe it was an off night?
(2)
Scott M.
Beto's is a love or hate place. I love it. Great crust, lots of topping, sauce with chunks of tomato. If you want a "classy place" go somewhere else. If you want high-end pizza then go somewhere else. If you want good blue-collar pizza that is tasty and cheap this is the place. By default the toppings (cheese included) are thrown on after the fact and come out raw. That's OK with me but if you add the magic word "baked" as in "I'll have three cuts pepperoni baked" they will put the toppings on and put the pizza back in the oven until it melts. It is still awesome. the italian sub is also great. Ask them to add pepperoni, it's worth it. I've been going there since 1994 and am indebted to the guy that took me there for lunch. If you think it is a dive now, you should have seen it then. definitely worth a stop if you are doing a pizza tour of Pittsburgh.
(5)
Kay E.
There are only so many ways to make the American bastardized version of a pizza, but for some reason there are as many "pizza shops" as there are stars in a clear night sky. As they may be stunning to behold, from afar each one is pretty much the same thing. This shop is another place that tosses sauce and cheese on bread and serves it to their patrons. Ok, so they DO have a slightly different take, throwing the cold shredded cheese onto the pie as soon as the dough is out of the oven. This does not melt the cheese, and I do see how the pizza would be cold after heaping on the cheese. Some customers may like it, me, not so much. I tried the Italian hoagie. It was a good size and the meat was flavorful. But that's about it. They put oil on the sandwich, but no other dressing. I expected a nice tangy flavor to compliment the meat but was disappointed. My date ordered a hot sausage hoagie. I didn't sample it, he liked it, but it was way too messy. The bread got soggy and the darn thing fell apart. It looked more like tomato soup with sausage than a sandwich. The staff did seem pretty nice, even trying to keep a smile while dealing with the stress of a busy crowded restaurant. The dining room is also a bit cramped. There are plenty of booths, but the tables are rather close together and hard to maneuver between. Hungry patrons also are constantly getting up to visit the soda fountain. When they are busy, it is a claustrophobic nightmare.
(2)
Troy R.
Square Pizza is a great Pittsburgh area thing that alot of people just don't understand Beto's is new to me there is Tons of Cheese and Pepperoni and great Sauce very generous with toppings a little expensive but well worth it. If you like this pizza try Osso's in Washington PA.
(4)
Mike L.
I love Beto's! Having said that, I acknowledge that their style of pizza is not for everybody. Do you love cheese? Do you love it so much that you want it so thick that it doesn't melt? I do! The sauce has chunks of tomato in it and the crust is thin and square cut. It tastes like no other pizza, but if you grew up eating it, nothing else is as good!
(5)
Tin-Tin E.
They don't make pizza like this where I'm from. I don't even know if they make pizza like this anywhere else! My fiance introduced me to the wonders of Beto's when I visited Pittsburgh to meet his family. But back to the food...The crust is not really thin, but it's nice and crisp. Then there is the sauce, which I did not really notice. But what really makes this place different is the the cheese. It's not melted! They put it on last minute before serving. Normally I would think this is nasty and frozen-pizza-ish but they use some high quality cheese at Beto's that practically melts in your mouth. If you ask for pepperoni, be prepared to have it sliced and raw on your pizza. I don't mind this at all since it's not as greasy this way and reminds me of snacking on pepperoni right out of the fridge. Also their hoagies are awesome. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I will definitely stop by Beto's.
(5)
danielle h.
It depends on your point of view, I grew up in the city and absolutely love it. If your getting more than one slice and want a topping, just get it on one. They over load the cheese and toppings, and its not all the way melted. Always served hot. Also the curly fries and hoagies are delicious. Love it or hate it is what I've heard. It's different, but my favorite and I make sure to go there every time I get home.
(5)
Fred E.
Where else can one go to enjoy a meal that is just as good today as it was 5 years ago, as it was 25 or 30 years ago...that's Beto's Pizza. Two cuts with extra cheese and a half an Italian hoagie. That's my standing order. My family doesn't get it...but they don't cook the pizza with the extra cheese on it?!?! No they don't. That's what makes it unique, special and oh so delicious. Their loss! Yesterday I had' eaten since lunch, a meeting had lasted until 9pm. Heated up leftovers at home or cut down from Greentree Road to Beto's for two it's with extra cheese and a half an Italian...hmmmm. It should be a snap, 9:30 on a Monday night. What was I thinking? The dining room was packed and four people in front of me in line. Took 15 minutes. I didn't complain. I took it to go. I had the first piece in the parking lot. The crust hard. The perfect "plate" for that great sauce, with pieces of tomatoes, delicious. And, if you eat a cut right away, you can just about get all that cheese and pizza in your mouth and you get to eat about 8 oz of cheese that surrounds the cut. I had the second piece when I got home. By then all the cheese had melted into the pizza creating a blanket of cheese. Heavenly. Which is better, a cut with melted or unmelted extra cheese? I don't know. I think I'll need another 40 years of sampling Beto's to know for sure. One thing I'm sure of already, their hoagie is the absolute best in Pittsburgh. 5++++++
(5)
Colin M.
Finally got a chance to try Beto's with my wife and some friends. The place was jumping on a cool Friday night and we waited about 5-10 minutes for a table. Didn't have a great first impression as the whole place was a bit of a mess. Dirty tables, floors, screaming kids - but I got past that pretty easily. My wife isn't a big pizza person, so we played it safe by ordering salads, wings, and a couple cuts of plain. Food came out fairly quickly and in order which I thought was great (and wasn't expecting). Salad itself was fine but didn't find the huge pile of cheese necessary - I get that this is what they're known for and knew it was coming, just not on the salad. Lots of onions, tomatoes and olives which made me happy. Wings were surprisingly good, we had a dozen hot and the sauce was basically franks - but I'm ok with that. Well cooked, hot, and lots of sauce. Pizza was pretty much what I expected, nice crispy crust, chunky tomatoes and lots of cheese. Little off putting as the waitress set the plate down on the table the cheese rubbed up against the tabletop which caused me to remove any of the cheese that touched. I enjoyed the pizza, and would I back, but not sure my wife would.
(3)
Meghan B.
Beto's- you either love it or you don't. It's a unique pizza- baked with the sauce on and then the cheese goes on cold. It's kind of like an adult lunchable. Most recently, we called ahead and ordered our pizza. They were pretty busy, so we waited about 30 minutes for pick-up. What's a little annoying about it- you order by the slice... making it pretty pricey for pizza. If you are getting your pizza to go, I recommend getting your cheese on the side. Besides keeping the cheese cold, you can also control how much cheese goes on each slice. Otherwise, you'll end up with what we had. TOO much cheese- yes, I said it. Way too much cheese for my liking. I ended up taking half of it off to enjoy the pizza. If you haven't guessed yet, I lean on the side of not loving Beto's... although I can't speak too much for their other menu items, their pizza is just not my favorite. I will say, it is one of the most unique pizzas I have ever had, and is definitely worth trying. ps. If you order pepperoni, know that it is pretty spicy and they are really generous with it.
(3)
Money B.
I went here for the second time it's been remodeled. I decided to try the pizza with melted cheese. It has good pepperoni but the sauce and cheese aren't flavorful.
(3)
Marne O.
Shame shame shame on all of my friends who kept Beto's from me for so long. Finally my friend Alicia stepped up to the plate and took me here for the first time a couple weeks ago. I AM HOOKED! I love the cold cheese on the square slices. I think about this pizza every other day. Can't get it outta my mind!!! Going back ASAP!
(5)
Lindsay S.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about cold cheese and toppings on my pizza, but Beto's has made me a fan! The crust is good, the sauce (chunks of tomatoes) is delicious, and the cheese was high-quality. Plus, for the price ($1.40/slice), you can't beat it.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : 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.
Vincent P.
Much has been written on that of the mythical Beto's pizza, so I will keep it brief. A local favorite; the dough and sauce are baked in the oven, and THEN the mountain of fresh mozzarella and toppings are thrown on afterward, right before it's served to you. Resulting in a multi-temperature slab of pizza goodness that is actively melting together as you eat it. Extremely inexpensive. Quick service. Down-to-earth staff. A very 'family-run' feel. Bring your buddies or your S.O. or your family, eat some delicious pizza, and then disappear into the night toward your next destination. You will be satisfied.
(4)Tim F.
Good stuff. It's places like this that make me almost interested in moving out of sunny Southern California and into Pittsburgh. We don't have pizza like this here. I've been to back to Pittsburgh like 10 times and I've stopped by here every time. A couple cuts of cheese pizza will fill you up. Yummy, Don't order extra cheese. A normal cut will have more than enough cheese.
(5)Carmen Maria N.
We are from out of town and heard this place had good pizza. I decided to call and order a pizza, so asked about what kind of sizes, type of crust and if they do white pizza. The guy told me he only had pizza crust and red sauce and since I was asking for a different type of pizza, that this wasn't the right pizza place for me. He told me I wouldn't want to order from them and hung up the phone. Not sure if it was because if my Hispanic accent or what but he was extremely rude and didn't even give me a chance to order or ask. I would have been perfectly fine with a red sauce, regular pizza crust with cheese and pepperoni but he wouldn't even take my order. I was just trying to ask. Rude. Very!
(1)Melissa D.
Forget what you know about pizza. Beto's is entirely its own thing. And it gets five stars because it is something you will crave more often than is healthy. A Pittsburgh favorite, I know multiple folks who've moved out of town and include this on their "must do" list each time they come to town. (Visit pap, watch the stillers, drink an iron city, eat a few slices of Betos pizza - check!) Anyhoo, the crunch of this pizza crust makes me go weak at the knees. I just want to HEAR everyone at my table bite into their slice of pizza...is it so much to ask? Then you experience the perfectly thin layer of sauce. Then the mound of shredded, uncooked mozzarella cheese, some of which falls to your plate for you to snack on later. And you realize, I'm eating pizza but it's a whole other experience entirely because the cheese and toppings are raw! I like getting anchovies on mine because the salty bite with the rich cheese and deluxe crust is, in my opinion, the perfect bite. It is the stuff dreams are made of.
(5)Stacie C.
I'm not at all surprised by the mixed reviews of Beto's. I understand this is the kind of place where you either love it or hate it, you either get it or you don't. I think most people who like Beto's do so because it's familiar and probably something they grew up with. I get that, too. It may not be the "best" pizza I've ever had, but there's a comforting nostalgic feel when you have something that has remained unchanged in decades. Beto's has their own unique take on pizza and if your unaware of their preparation, I can see it being off-putting. But if you go in with an open mind I think you'll find it enjoyable. Service may not be the friendliest, but they aren't rude and orders are prepared quickly. I've gone in, placed an order for a few slices and been handed a box before my change. I usually just get cheese or maybe pepperoni. It is absolutely not necessary to order extra cheese. When you look at the pictures, you see why. The crust is baked nice and crispy with the sauce. Cold toppings are added after you order. It might sound crazy and at first I thought it was crazy, too. But the cheese starts to melt and the melding of flavors as you chow down is unlike any other pizza I've tasted and the often sloppy distribution of the toppings is all part of the charm. I can handle 2-3 slices in a sitting due to the generous toppings and the cost is cheap. The square size is very reminiscent of the pizza slices I remember from the school cafeteria in grade school and it makes me feel like a kid again. Fortunately, Beto's pizza tastes better. Just don't forget the chocolate milk.
(4)Rick C.
My Uncle Chuck turned me on to Beto's 40 years ago and it's every bit as good as when I was a pup. This is one of the most unique pizza joints I've ever eaten at. If you love mozzarella cheese, this is the place for you. If you're not a fan, don't bother. People often use the phrase "food porn" these days, and as you can see in the photos (money shots) that customers have shared in their Yelp page, the description is accurate. The food is cheap (and cheesy) as can be. Swing by for lunch, dinner or a late night stuffing.
(5)Malissa N.
For being an out-of-towner, this is always our first stop as soon we we get into Pittsburgh. This pizza is like no other! The portions are huge, and worth every bite!! The shredded cheese on top & chunks of tomatoes just make your mouth water!!
(5)Paige O.
I was super excited to try the pizza and I am so happy I did. It was so different but so so delicious !! I also had a side salad.. It was ok, I would have liked to see a little variation of lettuce but it was just plain iceberg. It was a nice size and had some fresh veggies and of course some of the amazing cheese!!! It's the coldest day of the year and they have the fans on, that's my only con about the place really. It's freezing in here!!! Also, I would like to add the staff is super nice and friendly :)
(4)Joe C.
First went here in 1967. Two slices with free extra cheese and pepperoni for 15 cents. Even when it was free, few ordered the extra cheese. I mean, why bother given the normal amount. The price has certainly gone up, but I still stop by every time I am in town. Two slices with pepperoni and half Italian hoagie, does not get much better. If only they could expand the parking lot.
(5)Shaun E.
Okay this place is freaking wild. If your from my generation than you can remember Ellio's rectangular frozen pizza. This place brings me back. Any place that goes there, then you know they're doing something right. If you go here you will be in cheese heaven. I agree with the other people's review that you will either love this place or absolutely hate it. I'd have to give it a thumbs up but instead of calling it pizza, call it beto's raw cheese baked bread haha. They cook the bread sauce/tomatoes and then throw a heaping cheese pile after your meal is cooked. Then they throw on any toppings. I call it raw cheese pizza. It is good. Crust is crispy and the sauce is delicious. Eatability I'd give a 2/10. The whole point of pizza is that you can bend it in half and then stuff it in your face. Here it's more of a fork and knife operation. The cheese falls right off because it's not melted so you end up slurping it up like spaghetti. I dig it though. Good job beto's. Way to stand out from the mediocre pizza that plagues pittsburgh.
(5)Kelly L.
I truly have never had better pizza in the entire city of Pittsburgh. My boyfriend & I went as first timers last Friday after hearing a million good things from our friends. Beto's did not disappoint. The staff was friendly, place was casual, and service was fast. We will be going back every Friday as a new date night tradition. If you have never been, do yourself (and your belly) a favor and make the trip (and order extra-- it makes for amazing leftovers)!
(5)Lauren P.
This is some of the best pizza in the Burgh! Glad they added more seating and did some renovations. This place is usually pretty busy, the food is great at the right price. Two slices of their square cut pizza is enough for me and at a $1.40 a slice you cannot go wrong. The shredded cheese on top is truly for the cheese lovers like me. You can ask them to melt the cheese on top but I like it just as is. If you choose to add toppings they give you plenty and charge about 50 cents def worth it. They also serve hoagies and sandwiches which I would love to try but the pizza is too darn good not to get.
(4)Amanda V.
This pizza was okay. I tried after hearing a bunch of people talk about it and the none melted cheese. Who wouldn't be curious? The pizza is a little over priced. I think they could cut costs a bit if they weren't putting pounds of unnecessary mozzarella on top. The crust was really crispy and thick which I loved. The sauce is sweet but was good. The cheese...the mound of cheese... It was a little too. I had to take off half of it. Kinda a waste. I may go back but not going to be my go to pizza place.
(3)Jay W.
When I'm in the Burgh there is no other pizza choice! Worth the drive from anywhere! Great selection and priced fairly!
(5)Carley P.
I don't know why everyone is complaining about the cheese not being melted. THAT'S THE POINT! Delicious, cheap, and fast. Easily one of my favorite spots in Pittsburgh. My only complaint is that the dining area is very dirty.
(4)Dennis T.
Ok, so the gimmick is cold cheese and toppings on freshly cooked dough and sauce. It doesn't work. I get the same effect from a microwave pizza that wasn't in long enough. Also, if you are going to serve your food this way (unfinished), at least have the decency to use quality ingredients. I'm quite certain the pepperoni was of the Hormel variety. I don't understand why you would spend your money on a low quality, unfinished pizza when there are SO many better options in the area. However, based on the amount of business they were doing you may want to give it a try. I for one will not be returning...
(1)Christopher G.
This is the most unusually constructed pizza that I've yet to have eaten, and it's fairly tasty as well. The positives: Cold cheese and toppings are dumped upon a otherwise (presumably) normally cooked pizza. It's fun to watch the reactions of others trying it for the first time, since it's likely the oddest pizza they've ever eaten. Those that love it, love it, and those that hate it, well, I'd like to think they at least have respect for pizza this strange. I don't love the pizza here, or hate it, but it's good enough for me to enjoy with friends. Oh, and there's pinball! The negatives: It's a greasy pizza joint with about the same level of decor and apparent cleanliness as most pizza joints I visit. That is to say, it could be nicer, but it seems to be the norm. Conclusion: Novelty Pizza + Pinball = Try this if you are in Pittsburgh
(3)Jason F.
I stopped in here by myself this past Saturday at around 6:30 in the evening. I had been here once before but it had been a number of years prior. Man was this place packed! I had trouble finding a parking spot and upon entering the restaurant there were no open tables and about 10 people waiting for their orders. Since I was due elsewhere later in the evening I decided to order four cuts of pepperoni to go. After that I sat down on a chair to wait. It was at this point that I heard one of the employees telling another that they should tell everyone it would be about a 30 minute wait. Thankfully it only ended up being a 15 minute wait before I was out the door and into my car. So how did the pizza taste? Sorry Beto's and the South Hills but I just don't get cold cheese and toppings on top of a baked crust. This is now two times that I have tried it and this time I was prepared for it and more than willing to give it a better chance. However it just does not work for me. The positives for the pizza are that the crust is super crispy, almost cracker like, which I really liked. I don't know that I have had another pizza crust that was this crispy before. There was also a ridiculous amount of cheese on my four slices which I consider to be a good thing. As to the negatives of the pizza, the main one is the cold toppings. To me it doesn't really feel right and I am not a fan of it. This also causes a secondary issue of the pizza being extremely messy to eat. Since the cheese hasn't melted together and also hasn't melted the toppings on, it goes everywhere. The bottom line for me is that I probably will not be back again in the future. While I know that many people love it, it really doesn't do it for me.
(2)J.R. H.
I visited Betos 6/25/15. I ordered 4 cuts with mushrooms. The young lady who took my order was very polite. My pizza was promptly brought to my table and it tasted outstanding. Betos has always been my favorite pizza in Pittsburgh.
(5)Jay Z.
A friend of mine had been begging me to try this place for quite a while.I have to admit, it just didn't sound good to me, but he claimed it was the best pizza on earth. Finally, in desperation, he volunteered to pay for me if we went there for lunch. Free lunch? I'm in! So, to sum up my Beto's experience: 1st trip: I had to admit that it was good, but it wasn't my favorite. I thought of it as something that was great when you were in the mood for it. 2nd trip: I was craving it, and instigated us going back. 3rd trip: I was hooked and referred to it as the greatest pizza on earth! 7th trip: had a family member visiting from out of town and made the 75 mile round trip from my house just to have pizza there. 9th trip +: Still loving it! If you haven't tried it, you have to! And if you haven't tried it more than once, do it, and you'll be addicted too!
(5)Chris K.
Either you get it or you dont. The cold cheese might sound weird, the toppings being cold might not sound good, just shut up and try it. This pizza is unlike any you've had before but if you like pizza it is a must have. I dont make a trip to Pittsburgh with out stopping by Betos. The toppings are plentiful, the cheese is ridiculous and the crust is super crispy. Love this place.
(5)Elliott W.
Quick service. Good sauce. Nice selection of toppings. So much cheese I feel greasy. It's okay.
(3)Heather R.
Love this place! Either you like it or you dont....theres no in between. The cheese is thrown on cold to a hot out-of-the-oven crust. Simplicity at its best. The dough and sauce are fresh made by hand daily (at least they were when I worked there). Ask for it baked if you want the cheese melted, but it can take 10 more minutes. You can also ask for "No Sprinkles". There is a lot of cheese per piece. All of the ingredients are thrown on cold. The green peppers and mushrooms are from a can. These are fresh cut: cheese, pepperoni, onions. Im sure I forgot some but theres a lot. No sausage. The other foods are good. But dont waste your time. Just get the pizza. They accept cash and credit cards.
(5)Jason P.
Nowhere else quite like betos. If you love cheese and like trying something different this place is awesome. I grew up in Pittsburgh and get back rarely, but when I do I go out of my way to grab a couple slices!
(5)Danielle Q.
Amazing is all you can say about this pizza. Being that I am from Weirton, West Virginia originally this is the only pizza that reminds me of "home". If you have never had square pizza I recommend you get some right now. Top those slices with some nice cold cheese and you don't even need any other toppings. I can't speak highly enough about this place!!
(5)Brooke A.
Tiny little ordinary looking Beto's somehow manages to be an interesting pizza place. How? Well, remember the pizza lunchables you used to get as a kid, where you put all the cold toppings on top of your little pizza shell? That's essentially Beto's pizza, only about 50 times better obviously. It comes in massive slices with cheese and toppings spilling out all over the place. Their sandwiches are massive and delicious. (They will toss those in the oven to melt the cheese.) The place is super tiny, and it can be difficult to find a table, but we've never been left standing, and I've been there a decent amount, normally with the Sunday lunch crowd.
(4)Erin S.
My friend brought me here for the first time over the weekend and honestly, I was extremely skeptical when I saw the pizza. She said it was a "must try" if you're in Pittsburgh, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Wow. It was unlike any pizza I've ever had. It should be its own genre of pizza. I had a slice with extra cheese, and it was wonderfully messy. The cheese isn't melted, so it was falling all over the place. But seriously, it is actually incredible. I also had some of her Italian hoagie which was delicious! If you're looking for a unique pizza experience, definitely try Beto's.
(5)Dc B.
This has been one of my favorite Pizza places in the US. When i get into town it is my first stop. I love the crisp crust and the generous amount of toppings. The cheese is the best! Plan and simple is best in my book and in my belly! Cheers!
(5)Ashleigh M.
I've had a rough day. A really rough day. I'm not even hungry. I really want to do nothing but sleep. But I CAN'T. You know why? Betos pizza is down the street! I can't miss out on the amazingness that is betos. This has been a staple in my family for several generations, and i try to stop here whenever I can. The secret to their pizza- a combination of regular, melted cheese and then a whole bunch of cold cheese on top. It creates a beautiful harmony of dairy delights. This is deserving of a normal picture.
(5)Brittany S.
We ended up going in and getting slices for carry out. The service was very good. The cashier was very friendly and even complimented us. The wait time was only about 5 minutes, if that. We got 14 slices and paid about $30.00, which is pretty pricey. You end up paying extra for each topping on each slice. I've had pizza with cold cheese on top at another close by pizza shop, so I was expecting something similar. I was disappointed to find all of the toppings were uncooked. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite, like the prior pizza shop. Maybe if they cooked the toppings and placed the cold cheese on top? I did like how the slices we're square and thick though. I will stop back, even if it wasn't what I anticipated!
(3)J S.
Best pizza in the land (Steeler's Nation that is), enough said. Eat it there for the crisp crust, if you like crust a little more forgiving get it to go and let it soak up the juices from the San Marzano tomatoes. Another bene to having the pizza on premise, the cold sprinkled cheese. To die for. Coming at peak times is risky, as the dining room is small and seating is first come first served. I love this place, and have been eating here for 25 years, since I was a little guy. I would say Fiori's is a close second, but when I am in town and have limited time...Beto's it is!
(5)Josh D.
As a lifelong devotee of Chicago deep dish pizza, I was a bit skeptical when my uncle took me here on a trip to Pittsburgh a few years ago. "Cheese is supposed to be melted", I thought. Sure enough, the pizza was great. Enough to win me over, even. The crunchy crust combined with the warm sauce and cold cheese piled high was like nothing I've ever had before. When I came into town again this past month, Beto's was my first stop. Do go here.
(5)Roshni P.
On a busy Sunday night, my family and I walked in, put in an order, walked over to a table, and the food was at the table within 5 minutes. The quick service deserves 3 starts. The staff consists of all teenagers, at least from what I saw. They were all super friendly though, so no issues there. The food though was amazing. I had 2 super picky kids in my group and they loved it as well. Two pieces are enough to fill you up, if not too much. Like another reviewer mentioned, the pizza does come with a lot of cheese so I wouldn't recommend extra cheese. I highly recommend this place if you are in the mood for pizza with a twist and I can't wait to come back to Pittsburgh specifically for this place!
(4)Joey L.
Good pizza as well as other great menu options. Good prices too.
(4)Amanda K.
This "pizza" was the worst food I have ever eaten.
(1)Lizzie D.
I really enjoy Beto's Pizza because it's truly unlike any other pizza you've had! The dough is hot and the toppings are placed on cold! Be careful, the car ride home really can make the toppings all melt together, which makes the pizza still very good, but not as good as the unique tasting cold toppings that you go to Beto's for! The pizza can get pricey with additional pricing for many of the toppings, but it is totally worth it! The ingredients are so fresh and the pizza is so yummy!
(5)Alex R.
I always love it here! Huge tip: if you get an order to go, ask for the toppings separate so they are still raw! Its absolutely awesome!
(5)Veronica S.
Love the food... Service could be better, waited almost an hour for two cuts of cheese pizza, but it was great
(4)Matt H.
One of my favorite pizza spots in Pittsburgh. Been coming here for years. The only downside is if you go and they are just putting a pizza into the oven. The wait to grab your cuts can be a long wait. Well worth it because of how damn good it is.
(5)Mike B.
Thinking cold toppings is going to tast great sounds odd....... But, this is great pizza. When you commit to doing something as odd as cold toppings you are going to strike out or hit a homer. Betos hit a Grandslam. Please stop in. It's a dive but it's outrageously good!!!
(5)Dan M.
This is a place where people either love it or hate it. Beto's offers thin, square cuts. They bake the tray of pizza with a handful or two of cheese. When it comes out they pile fresh cold cheese and toppings. If you eat it right away you get the unique flavors of warm crust, hot sauce, cold shredded cheese & cold toppings. It's a unique style & in my opinion ranks Beto's in the top 3 pizza spots in Pittsburgh. In addition to their pizza, I think Beto's has the best Italian hoagies in Pittsburgh. I believe their cheese is what elevates their food. Absolutely amazing!
(5)Dionne M.
Addicted to this place. What a unique burst of flavors when you bite into a slice of Beto's pizza. Cold cheese, hot sauce and crunchy crust truly speak to my mouth's palate. I always find an excuse to stop her. Last time we had a steak hoagie too. It was big and full of flavor as well. It's no wonder they have been around for a long time. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE BETO'S. ~ Dionne Malush, Pittsburgh Realtor
(5)Dick F.
Definitely a must have but different..only place I've ever been that only bakes the dough n sauce then puts on toppings including a mound of cheese once it's out of the oven..the sauce is great w chunks of tomatoes....you can also bring home the pizza n bake a few minutes to melt the cheese n toppings which makes it a 5star pie....The Italian hoagie is really good also..
(4)Joyce C.
I love Beto's pizza! It is not always the same though. Occasionally you get a day when it's off. It is also not for everyone. Tons of unmelted cheese, whole tomatoes, very crispy crust. If your up to try something different, Beto's is it. Their hoagies are also very good. They aren't super expensive, and I like how you can get as many cuts as you want. Sometimes I just don't want a whole pizza!
(4)Michael B.
Subs are out of this world! Huge in flavor and size! Definitely worth the stop. Fast service
(5)L L.
We only moved to Pittsburgh last year, so we are far from locals, but it only took one visit for us to become devotees of Beto's. I understand the polarizing nature of a Beto's style pizza, but we definitely have established ourselves at the far THUMBS UP end of the spectrum. By not cooking the pizza with the toppings, it preserves the fantastic crust, by not allowing the oil from melted cheese to make it soft and gooey. Instead the crust remains fresh, firm and flavorful. They sauce is deliciously fresh and tangy, with lots of nice chunks of tomato. And the toppings, we get either just cheese or cheese/pepperoni and generous and delicious. It may take a little getting used to, and you may have to wait because of its popularity, but Beto's is worth it. As someone who has enjoyed NYC and Chicago style pizzas at their best, Beto's has redefined great pizza for my family and me. Enjoy!
(5)Allison D.
Odd.... I'd say it's not bad, but it's not good either. Super sloppy and there's far better pizza elsewhere. The dining room atmosphere is weird... It's like where Sugar Bear took June on their date to the cafeteria but without fluorescent lights. Plastic forks, plastic knives, and paper plates with crying kids and no beer. I'll pass next time.
(3)Phil B.
I read some of the negative reviews & if those folks would have checked out the tips, they would of read that you can ask for the cheese to be baked rather than just the cold topping which they has been one of their trademarks since I was a teenager. Additionally, the price is exceptional. We're talking pizza here, not Ruth Chris....
(5)Tammy F.
The pizza is ok. The tomato chunks are delicious and the pepperoni too. But they don't bake it and the stuff all slides off the crust. Overloaded too much with cheese . Not horrible but certainly not the best.
(3)Dave P.
I had not been to Betos in many many years. Boy has the place grown up. Still the same pizza that you will either love or hate. The Pizza here has the chesse and topings put on after they cook it so it melts some while you eat it. Tastes really good. I also has the apetizer sampler which was a lot of food for two people. Was not to crowded, but full Saturday at lunch. Highly recommended.
(4)Helena S.
First off, had my boyfriend not told me that every topping on the pizza was cold (including the cheese!), I would have never known. They should really have an illuminated sign that advises the customers. I'm sure you have gathered that this pizza is kind of presented exactly like frozen pizza from the store except the bread is cooked. I think the appeal to this place is that it is different - Some people go to restaurants where you can cook your own food because it's different but the fact of the matter is that when I go out to eat, I don't expect to cook it myself and I don't expect it to come half cooked. Had this pizza been cooked, I feel like it would be subpar. The crust was very crispy and the sauce was a standard tomato (no extra hints of basil or pepper). The peperoni reminded me of the peperoni that comes in Lunchables - actually the whole pizza reminded me of a Lunchable (except a pie made of 28 cuts is $35.28 with $.50 per topping a CUT!) To be fair, each cut is $1.30 and you only need 3-4 to really, really be full. They really lay on the toppings - about an inch of cheese, 20 slices of peperoni and a handful of banana peppers for just two cuts with toppings . I feel that you really need to be in the mood for Betos before you go there. When I am in the mood for pizza, I am heading for the flowing, stringy cheese and the flavors melting together before it hits my mouth. I would eat here again if I get the craving - some people in the restaurant had ordered other menu items that looked to be pretty good. I wouldn't take somewhere here as a Pittsburgh Destination though. There is about 10 tables in the restaurant (booths/tables) ... clean/reputable.
(2)John B.
The best. Not as good as it was in the early 70's but still love it.
(5)Nick H.
Beto's Pizza is definitely my go-to pizza in Dormont, even though I have to hop in my car and drive down there. Trust me, the drive back always seems like it takes forever, because I feel so weighed down from their delicious pizza. Beto's is a little unorthodox when it comes to your traditional pie of pizza. First, they sell pizza by the square slice ( which isn't so unorthodox, I know) and second their pizza comes out with the cheese uncooked on top of the hot crust, along with any other toppings you might fancy. So, yes, you will eat your pizza with uncooked cheese on it. And yes, YOU WILL LIKE IT. Beto's breaks the holier-than-thou commandments of pizza with their methods of pizza production, and while indulging yourself with their pizza, it never felt so right. Try eating more than four pieces, I dare you.
(4)Zach G.
I don't get it. Cold cheese and cold pepperoni on my pizza? Why does Pittsburgh have to be so weird? I just got accustomed to fries and coleslaw on my sandwiches but a guy has to draw the line somewhere. And what's with everyone bagging up their extra cheese and taking it home? My gut tells me this would be an awesome pizza if only they'd cook it.
(2)Ryan P.
Wow, just wow. That was without a doubt the worst "pizza" I've ever had in my life. Maybe you would like it. Do you like all of your toppings out of a can? I didn't even know you could get canned green bell peppers. Do you like your slices of pizza to be covered with a huge several inch thick mound of uncooked mozzarella cheese? If answer is yes, then maybe this place is for you. It is definitely not for me.
(2)Cindy M.
Wow what a great place! My coworker and I were told by locals that this was the place to go and they were so right!!! I got a two cuts of pizza with pepper on top and what they do is cook the crust with chunks of tomato and then the add cold toppings including the cheese... sounds strange, but it is amazing!! Great concept, very friendly workers and delicious food!!
(5)Craig N.
Didn't live up to my expectations at all. Waste of time and money. Sloooooow service.
(2)Kathryn L.
I have been eating Beto's pizza since i was a little girl. Our family would pick up 4 cuts for carry-out, but we werent allowed to open the box until the cheese had melted a bit. I make it a point to stop by whenever i am in town. There is something about the fresh cheesy goodness, the crispy crust, sauce with big chunks of tomato and pepperoni ( even though it is not cooked) that makes my tastebuds and my heart sing. Either you love it, or you just cant figure out what it is because it's so unlike any other pizza you will have eaten and you will hate it. To be clear, they bake the pizza and sauce and when it comes out of the oven they load on the cheese and any other toppings. The cheese melts a bit, but not entirely. There is a lot of cheese - no need to order extra cheese! Good subs as well.
(5)Xine M.
I echo that you will love or hate Beto's, depending on what you think of the cold cheese on the pizza. I recommend at least trying it. It's only $1.30 per slice, so what do you have to lose? I also love the curly fries with cheese. It is definitely an affordable and tasty meal. I haven't seen any reviews about the annoying signs ALL OVER the cash register/ counter area. There are signs telling you not to talk on your cell phone; not to eat in the dining room if you have a takeout order; not to refill your drink with a courtesy cup; to be prepared to wait if you want your cheese cooked. I don't like to be yelled at as a customer, and find it very off-putting. The staff is just pretty surly in general. Otherwise, I'd give them another star.
(3)Evan S.
Worse than store freezer pizza. What with the cold cheese on top of hot pizza? Terrible. If you want quality; Fiori's is a few miles away.
(1)Christen M.
The pizza was fine. My issue is that, if you aren't like other pizza places with your pricing, you should maybe tell me that when I call to order a medium with two toppings. We ended up with a $36 pizza that will take us days to eat, when I THOUGHT I ordered a medium with pepperoni and sausage on half. All young kids working there. No professionalism. No explaination of anything. 50 cents per slice for every topping? Well yeah we got 14 slices, so do the math. NOT a medium. Boxed up horribly, so on our 3 minute ride home, the box was leaking grease out of the corner. I was so upset over spending nearly $40 on something that I thought would be cheap and easy, I couldn't even enjoy the pizza. Its just whatever pizza anyway. Save your money and go to Slice on Broadway. 1/3 of the price, staff is wonderful, and they have a liquor license and fair prices. Slice should get half the publicity this place gets. Never mind that I've lived in Pittsburgh all my life and have never heard of Betos until I moved 3 streets behind it. NOT a "Pittsburgh institution."
(2)Richard M.
The pizza deserves 5 stars, it's not like any other pizza on the planet. Nice hot crispy crust with cold cheese& toppings thrown on at the last minute before serving. Definitely an awesome experience, but the bad... I've had the steak hoagie which cannot be more straight forward, steak-um(unseasoned) LTO and cheese. Just stick to the pizza. You won't be disappointed
(4)Mike S.
A different style (love or hate) pizza. A square cut thicker crust with cold shredded cheese on top. It's different enough that it is a good chance of pace to your standard pie.
(4)Rachel W.
No way. A ton of cold shredded cheese thrown on top of pizza? No no no. No beer either.
(1)Duy N.
Not like any other pizza you have ever had. The crust is crispy and the cheese is uncooked. I hated it at first...but now I live it! You might have to try it a few times. I will keep coming back. And the price is so cheap! $1.45 for a slice? Kidding me?
(4)Steven H.
Ohio valley square pizza by the slice...or cut(I should know better!) Crispy crust, chunky piping hot tomato sauce, cold cheese....but you have to eat it there! Loses its appeal if cheese melts and crust gets soggy. My family has been eating here since they ran it out of the old building next door! A real craving-type pizza with an acquired taste. Also a family of 4 can get out of here for around $25.
(5)Jeremy K.
My first half cooked Pizza! So I have heard about Beto's for quite some time now. From my main man, and Dormont's own Anthony Pecora (now), to my other main man, Nick Rockwell, who used to play at Dormont park and eat the pizza as a kid. My first imprecision, "Damn, they didn't cook my pie!" I have heard a lot about this pizza but know one has ever said anything about a "Raw": slice of pizza! But to no avail, it was an illusion. It seems as if they cook there pizza and then top it with the toppings....? Strange..? Well, yes it is strange to this jedi, but Beto's knows what they are doing! The crust is in word, umm, ahhh, AWESOME! Nice and crunhcy, light and flaky, and also has the moistness of a biscuit.......if that makes any sense. Sauce is also good, nothing crazy, just good ole pizza sauce. The sauce reminds me of Kiddyland Pizza at Kennywood, or it has the feel of Della Sala's Pizza (Verona). I went with my favorite pizza combination, Mushroom & Onion. I was excited because they use canned mushrooms and loaded them on. Call me weird, but i love canned mushroom on my pizza. Another delight, the onion was sliced into rings. Onions HAVE to be sliced into rings for pie....plain an simple. Diced? One pissed of jedi! Like I said before, raw toppings, so it was a shock to bite into raw cheese and onion. The raw onion went well with the whole Beto's thing they have going on. I was pleased. I will be back to Beto's and it is a great change of pace. I do not know if it is blaspheme to order the pie "double cooked", but I would like to try that. It would definitely be a knife & fork pie. * JEDI APPROVED *
(4)Joe D.
I was out with a friend the night before new years eve. Note to self: veggie burgers are not a meal for a man. After seeing Harry Potter 7.1 at the theatre we both proclaimed we were hungry for abnormal pizza. Let me explain, we didn't want to order generic, neighborhood delivery pizza. Pretty much I'm tired of tasteless, no crust pies that lack nuance. Since lesbian friend of Joe D lives in Dormont, Beto's was a natural. She's never had the beto's experience. So I told her to follow my lead, I ordered two slices, one with black olives, the other was plain, small drink. She ordered two slices , extra cheese and pepperoni. I forgot to tell her, nay, I purposely didn't tell her about the cheese because I knew she'd turn her nose up at it because the idea of cheese not melted on a pizza would surely upset the planets and cause disruption in the space/time continuem. But it backfired on me and the one thing I didn't expect was her to order extra cheese. We sat down and I explained to her the total stupidity of ordering a large drink in a place that offers free refills. Order a small, it's way cheaper and this really sounds like a scene that could have played out on an episode of Seinfeld. Pizza time! The look on her face was one of shock, like mine when I realized that America was indeed stupid enough to elect George Bust for a second term. The cheese was piled high, and no visible evidence of anything under this massive mass of diary goodness. Like a trooper she picked up a slice and dived in. She liked it! After we downed our slices I told her how sitting here has brought me back to my high school years. The pizza still has that same texture, creamy cool cheese, warm crunchy crust, and wonderful smell. Beto's is still my choice for best pie in the Burgh
(5)Michael P.
The thing about Beto's is you either love it or you hate. I personally love it. The uniqueness of the cold toppings on the hot pizza is something that Beto's does perfectly. I've been a loyal customer for 10+ years and have continued to order 3 cuts with extra cheese every time. One of the biggest perks to Beto's is that it's family owned by a great group of people. This place is sure to not disappoint.
(4)Kelly J.
Beto's Pizza is a "must have" when I'm in Pittsburgh. This place is full of nostalgia for me because we used to get it when we visited my Gram and Pap. It's definitely one of those love it or hate it places. You order the pizza by the slice. I've only ever had cheese, extra cheese and pepperoni. My favorite to order is just plain cheese. They bake the crust and put on the sauce (with these big, sweet pieces of tomato) and then slap the cheese on cold. If you get it to go, you close it up in the box and the cheese is the perfect bit of melted by the time you get home.
(5)Paul D.
Ok , I have lived here in Pittsburgh most of my life , And I LOVE Pizza. Beto's is a Pittsburgh Icon but defiantly nowhere near the top pizzeria. But you have to have your Beto's "FIX" once in a while. I usually get 4 cut's with Pepperoni , and you get your money's worth. Plenty of Pepperoni & Cheese. If you do not like the un-melted cheese , wait a little , it will melt. As for you pretentious types , Pizza is NOT a health food. If you need a Salad , maybe go back to California and eat your wheat grass. I Like Beto's and I will recommend it to folks , Just not every week !
(4)Jessica W.
You will either love it or hate it. As a Pittsburgh native, I absolutely love it and it's my favorite pizza. They cook the pizza without the cheese and when it comes out of the oven, they put the cold cheese and toppings on the pizza. If you are eating there (and the pizza is best immediately out of the oven), the cheese will melt in your mouth as you are eating it. The slices are big and they really load them up with cheese. Also, the sauce has huge tomato chunks in it, unless you ask for it without. As far as the actual restaurant, they made a major upgrade a few years ago and it is much more accommodating than it was before. Prior to the renovations, it was tiny with a few small booths and very little standing room. I believe this may be a strictly Pittsburgh thing because I have found nothing like this (other than a chain in West Virginia) that makes pizza this way. That being said, every time I visit Pittsburgh, Beto's is my very first stop after leaving the airport.
(5)Teena M.
It's like fruit cake either you love it or hate it, very different I must say. I am so not for the cold uncooked toppings on my pizza, sorry I need melted cheese and hot toppings to please me.
(3)Jeremy K.
This is absolutely my favorite pizza of all time. I've been going to Beto's since I was a kid, and it's as good as it ever was. I can see why some people may not like it, because it is so different than your typical neighborhood pizza, but for me, it can't be beat.
(5)Jessica S.
I love this place. Every time I am town I have to stop and pick up a couple cuts. I even take them home with me to Baltimore. They are great even days later. Coming to town in a couple weeks and am I definitely taking some home to my fiance. Cheese cheese and more cheese please. This is my favorite pizza ever.
(5)Adam V.
Great food and great pricing.
(4)Jim M.
Love the pizza but they have changed the pepperoni again. I love spicy but with the profile of everything else it throws it off for me. Still will come back.
(3)Dean F.
Been going here for years, and will continue...I agree with some of the others, you will either love it or hate it.. It's just different, but classic in its own way... Square cut pizza with cold toppings... So frigging good...just let the cheese melt.....
(5)Jim H.
I tried the "cold cheese and toppings" slice that Beto's is famous for. If you have heard about there style of serving pizza, and are wondering what the punch line is, there isn't one. They make a big square tomato-sauce pizza and throw cold shredded cheese and other cold toppings on it, and that's it. There's no secret ingredient or special something that makes it tastes like anything other than what you would get it you grabbed pizza fixings from your kitchen and forgot to bake them. I guess a lot of people like it, and more power too them. But I don't get it. Ramblin' Boy didn't get it. I see zero reason to agree with people that say that this is the "best" pizza in the region. Maybe their hoagies will be better.
(2)Sarah B.
Say what you want about Beto's but it is certainly unique. You either love it or you hate it. I love it. But... this wasn't always the case. When I first went there, after hearing my boyfriend rave about it for years I was nervous to tell him what I actually thought. Cold cheese? What is this nonsense. But after the second trip it grew on me. Now I'm hooked. Like other people have said when you want pizza you get pizza. When you want Beto's you get Beto's. If you're in the mood for a typical Friday night quick pizza place this isn't going to do it for you. But, if you go in expecting it for what it is you may just enjoy it. Now it's always busy. If you want carry out call it in, as I've found myself waiting 25 minutes when I thought I'd swing by and pick up a few slices. If you want to eat in prepare to wait for a table at peak times. Then try to awkwardly make a mad dash to the next available table while competing with 4 other people. Since I've been going in there most of the people working are nice. There's one bad apple who seems to be a total snot and I can't stand her waiting on me. But, there are a bunch of other nice ones to make up for her 'tude. I've heard the other food is great. I've only had the onion rings and they are awesome. So try it out if you don't like it you're not alone but if you love it you're a member of the cool kids club.
(5)Paul R.
This is a place you either love or hate I love it! every time I am in Pittsburgh I have to stop in and get enough so I have take home. The pizza is sold by the square slice. The sauce is chunky tomato based and baked with cheese. period. after it comes out of the oven it is sliced and heaped with more cheese and what ever topping you want. I suggest just sticking to the peperoni. The toppings are not cooked, the cheese melts a bit but not all the way and the peperoni is lukewarm at best. My mouth is watering while I write this. You probably will not see 3 stars on any reviews. Give it a shot
(4)Nolan F.
I absolutely LOVE betos When i first moved to Pittsburgh i actually hated it and refused to get the pizza, so i would just stick with the Italian Hoagie..... Yummmm it is probably the best hoagie in the burgh, no jokes. The pizza i grew to, and i assume that some people have to do the same. But boy did i grow to it fast once i did. I remember one day just trying a slice and was in love with it. I think it has to be the sauce, it is so so so so sweet and just abosultely amazing. The cheese is also amazing because it makes the hot cold sensation just that much better. I always get 2 slices, 1 mushroom 1 plain and an italian hoagie with lettuce pickles mayo I truely cant wait to get back to the burgh to have some betos A down side to betos is it gets pricey if you eat alot. But hey if thats what good pizza costs then so be it, im happy with it
(5)Britney T.
I'm a fan of Betos. I like the fact that the cheese isn't always melted. The slices are square and the prices are reasonable. Ranch dressing or bleu cheese and you're good to go! The pizza itself is simple: crust, sauce, and cheese. I'm pretty certain that you have to go pick it up, or that's just been my traditional order of things. It's been a while since I've had their pizza, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(3)Jarrett H.
Blah blah blah, cold toppings, piled high cheese, yinzer childhoods, etc. Beto's gets three stars because it is inconsistent - and they themselves admit it. I've had pizza from here that is outright bad, I've also had pizza here which nudged against my all time top pizzas list. Usually there will be a cycle for me where I will have a really good slice, and convince myself I have to go back there - sometimes in the same week. Then I'll have a bad slice and forget about it for months, maybe even years. Then I'll be in the area again and the cycle will continue. The cold cheese doesn't bug me because you get so much (portion size here is far beyond ample. $1.25 for each slice - 4 is well beyond my maximum - gets you about a 1/3 of a bag of mozzarella, an extra $.50 will get you as much of whatever topping you feel like having). If you get take-out, it'll pretty much melt by the time you get home if you leave the box shut. One thing to note - this is my favorite place to get black olives on a pizza, since they don't go into the oven.
(3)Darren W.
Pops has telling me for years that the hot sausage sandwich is the thing to get at Beto's. Well, the Cosmic Trickster was REALLY being a tool yesterday, throwing my plans into a blender with a number of pranks that included an unexpected road closing among other glitches. Our circumstances basically left us with no real choice but to go to Beto's. The girlfriend's sick of sandwiches and pizza. Hence our apprehension. I Ioved their food the last time I was here but didn't wanna hear any kvetching. People with low blood sugar get into..."moods." I got her an Italian hoagie to play it safe as I got into a knock-down, drag-out streetfight with my hot sausage. The sausage itself was packed with spices and was probably made in an Italian grandmother's basement. That sauce was over-the-top, over-the-top like that Bullet For My Valentine tune... youtube.com/watch?v=c8k0… Now as you should know if you don't already, Beto's controversially coats their pizza in unbaked cheese. Hey, I kinda dig it but many don't. They DO melt it for the hot sausage however. Hmmmm... It was as good as I had heard, but man was it a handful in terms of getting eaten. I looked a bloody mess after I was done, as if my dining experience was instead a barbed wire deathmatch! Mothers gawked in horror, shielding the eyes of their kids. Portly men cheered me on, stomping their feet and chanting my name when I got into trouble. A little old lady hit my sandwich with a cane! I kid the hot sausage.
(4)Abby K.
This is the kind of pizza where the toppings are added after the crust is cooked. Cheese included. It's a novelty, and for some folks it's their favorite pizza. The taste is good, if a little weird, but for me, it didn't satisfy my pizza craving. This location was crowded and the wait was long, but the people were nice.
(2)Mary S.
Canned green peppers!?! Way too much cheese. The yinzers seem to like it. The average BMI in that place was probably close to 30 and no wonder; the food is incredibly unhealthy. The pizza crust tasted like Pizza Hut. Maybe this place gets good reviews because it's a unique twist on unhealthy; loads of uncooked mozzarella.
(2)Yeelo N.
Apparently, Beto's has conformed to the tourist since they now have definitions on how they cook their pie. If you want your cheese and toppings melted, be prepared to wait an extra 15 minutes and asked for it "baked". Well, I didn't get the memo in time. I split the Italian Hoagie and two pieces of pie, extra cheese. **Italian sub - superb! 5* winner! The bread was warm and crusty, but not hard. The meats were warm, not too greasy, and plentiful. The serving size was ample. Must order this again next time! **Pizza with extra cheese, not "baked" - no really, shouldn't you cook it first? I'd give the pie 3*s. Overall, the quality of the ingredients were high and the cheese was very good. I especially liked the whole tomato pieces they served on the slices, but if I were to order this again next time, I'd either get it "baked" or go light on the cheese. I couldn't even come close to eating the 2nd slice.
(4)Spike T.
I'm a N.Y. thin crust guy. This pizza is the antithesis of N.Y. style pizza so I didn't really get it. It's just not my taste but it may be yours so read on. I went with a born & raised Pittsburghian who hasn't lived in the 'burgh for a decade. He had fond memories of this place so late one night we set out for Beto's. He was surprised to find that the place is now housed in a fairly new upgraded building giving off a somewhat upscale vibe. Even though it was after midnight, they were still serving take out... so hooray for their late night hours. We orders some "cuts" (Pittsburgh's way of saying "slices") to go and ate them in our car in the parking lot. For the former Pittsburgher, the place may have changed, but the pizza tasted just as he remembered. Tangy sauce, cuts in rectangular shape, crust was bready but had some crunch on its underside. The unique thing about this pizza is they take it out of the oven and then add the cheese... and alot of it.... so its not altogether melted when you eat it. My friend loved it. To me it was unique but just okay. I like a thinner crust, cheese melted and cooked all the way through, crust less bready. You may like it. However, You just may need to have eaten it as a kid to truly love it.
(3)Alex W.
I guess for what it is, a thick crust with a canned tomatoes and uncooked mid/low grade cheese, it was fine. It's just not my style of pizza. They do have some of the hottest wings I have every eaten, the very aptly named "after burners". The sauce is very tasty with an INTENSE slow burn.
(3)Maggie S.
Any pittsburgher knows the top 3 pizza joints: Beto's, Fiori's, and Vesuvio's. Beto's is my favourite. I was never a fan of square pizza until I was introduced to this place. I love how they put the cheese on very last & isn't melted when they serve it to you. if you want extra cheese they give you a whole bag of shredded cheese. and it's cheap!! .99 a slice! I can't wait until I'm back in the 'burgh to take my fiancé there so he can see what real pizza is like.
(5)F P.
This place is billed as a "unique" type of pizza. Its unique alright. Unique in the "Osama bin Laden" is a unique kinda of man kind of way. Yes, it is unique. But so would be giving customers a raw steak, a spork and a jagged piece of glass and calling it a steak dinner. Why such hard words? Well this pizza stinks. Its disgusting. I'd literally rather eat ipecac than this crap. "It can't be that bad," you're probably telling yourself. Rest assured, my friends, it is that bad....and its even worse than you can possibly imagine. You have to buy the pizza a slice at a time. And I use the word slice liberally. They're not really pizza slices. They're more like halved loaves of bread. They cover the bread in canned tomato paste and chuck it all in the oven. Well wait...what about the cheese and the toppings? Well at Beto's, you don't worry about cheese or toppings.. Instead of giving you 100% of a completed pizza, they give you 75% of a completed pizza and call it unique. You get this half-loaf with enough sauce on it for three pizzas. And instead of hot melty cheese, they take a huge pile of ice cold dollar store cheese and pile it on the saucy half-loaf. And if you want toppings, they pull them out of the fridge and shove them into sandwich bags. This is not a unique way to eat pizza, its a unique way to waste your freaking money. The sauce is disgusting. The cheese probably would be alright if they melted it. The toppings are nasty and cheap. The fact that they shove them into sandwich bags like you're a drug addict is just insult to injury. Now if the magic of this place is in the childhood memories of all the yinzers and various hillbillies. Well if this is the truth then you got screwed when it comes to childhood memories. I'm sure people that group up in Cambodia in the 70s have a few child memories, too. It doesn't make them very nice ones. If this is the kind of pizza your Mom and Dad forced down your throat when you were a kid, well I hope you don't hold grudges because I'd hate to hear about a wave of disgruntled adults forcing their bedridden parents to swallow Draino cocktails. Its that bad, folks. I'd rather ride the Port Authority than eat this pizza. The only people who say otherwise are idiots who don't know any better. Don't take it out on them. But don't eat their pizza.
(1)Mike B.
From reading other reviews and dining guides, it looks like this is very much a hit or miss place. Either you love pizza with toppings thrown on after cooking, or you don't. I fall into the later category: I didn't like it at all. I ordered a slice of cheese pizza and a grilled chicken salad. For the pizza, the crust was salvageable after I pushed aside a good quantity of cheese (most of it). The salad was...nothing short of horrific. Overloaded with fries and (big surprise) more cheese, getting to the lettuce and other toppings took some digging. Eventually, I found bland tomatoes and shredded iceberg lettuce hidden far below. I don't get this place.
(1)Jeffrey L.
So you walk in and proceed to the counter. You order the pizza with whatever toppings you so desire. You get handed your drink cups and a number to put on your table and try and find a seat. Maybe a 15 to 20 minute wait for your pizza. Your pizza comes out and...... "what the hell is this? Take this back! My cheese ain't melted and the pepperoni ain't cooked!" Chill my man.....take a few deep breaths....it'll be ok.....just TASTE it......there ya go.....holy cheese right?! What a blend....It's all over the place and people actually order extra! That sauce, nice.....sweet and chunky....yummy. And the crust....the crispy, chewy wonderful foundation that holds it all together. It's a bit different. But different in the best way. There's some great pizza out there. Different styles and different tastes. Do yourself a favor. If you're in the Banksville Rd./ Dormont area stop in this place....it's just delicious.
(5)Erin B.
Being from Chicago, I'm a pizza snob. Yeah, I know, it's like comparing apples to oranges, but still...this is my review for Beto's. Anywhoo--this was a unique experience...the pizza comes out of the oven with just sauce, then mozzerella is piled on for a semi-melt addition. Who would have thought of this!? The pizza itself was good, and the sauce decent, but the whole semi-melt, I'll have to get used to. :-) I'd be back for a second shot at it!
(3)Mike B.
Some of my favorite pizza on the planet. If you haven't had it remember, it is unique, don't walk in expecting 'factory' pizza. It is square cut and the cheese is put on after the crust and sauce are cooked. MONEY! If you are taking it out get the cheese on the side, we even get 'extra cheese' a lot of the time. Toppings: most toppings on the pizza are put on after it is cooked also. I usually go straight cheese ( not a fan of cold pep or mushrooms) The sause is old school nothing fancy but darn good, nice chunks of tomatos in the sauce. If your in town worth the experience, if you live near by...lucky you!
(5)Violet T.
This is my Man's favorite pizza place. When he has visited Pittsburgh in the past without me, he sends me picture messages of his slices. On the plane ride coming into Pittsburgh last week, all he could talk about was Beto's. So, when we landed we of course drove right over (after being awake all night on a red eye flight) so that I could taste all that is awesome in Beto's pizza slices. It was very good. We ordered the simple extra cheese pizza. For those of you who are like me (from Oregon where I guess NO pizza is good), this pizza was hot crust, sauce, and minimal melted cheese, with fresh cold mozzarella piled HIGH on top. I have never had a slice of pizza put in front of me with so much cold cheese piled on it before. I wasn't exactly sure how to eat it, but figured it out, and it was very good, different but good. I would take Beto's pizza over Oregon pizza any day.
(4)Debra T.
You have to be goofy to not like this pizza. Their sauce is tangy and delicious, probably the best I ever had, and The crust is perfectly crunchy not doughy and chewy which I cant stand. Truly unique and worth a try. I will be back.
(5)Bob R.
Came back for the holidays, and stopped by Beto's. The pizza hasn't changed a bit, and it remains in my top three in the town. However, can someone please teach the kids working there how to keep up an establishment? Not once did I see someone clean tables or remove the number tags from the table. We had to clean our own table. The floor was littered with straw wrappers and napkins, especially under our table. The bathroom was in shambles and my friend mentioned that the ladies room was out of tp. Therefore--three stars, with the pizza saving the review from total damnation.
(3)Brooke R.
Love it or hate it? Well I hate it. My Pittsburgh vacation would not be complete without a visit to Beto's. I loved your city, your hick bars (although I was told that it gets even more hick than this, but I wasn't ready to experience more), your redneck walmart, your sandwiches with the sides in the sandwich and not on the side like the name implies, and finally, your Sheetz. Sheetz is my favorite. But back to Beto's. It just doesn't taste good. The dining experience is not high class. It's not even middle class. It's like lower than McDonald's. What's with that TV gaming system at the bar? I didn't enjoy hearing that throughout my meal. Please melt your cheese. Or at least make your slices bigger. If I had a big slice of uncooked cheese I would feel bad about not eating it and you would get more stars from me on Yelp.
(1)Greg R.
This was just bad pizza. For the money I expect that the toppings will be cooked on the pizza. The cheese and pepparoni were added after the crust came out. Also the mushrooms were out of a can. Do not waste money here.
(1)William G.
So on our first night here in Pittsburgh it's getting late and we are hungry. Everythings closed at the point and it's only after 10 pm on a Sunday. We accidentally end up at Beto's and plan to get a medium pizza. They inform us the sell pizza by the slice and it come different from traditional pizza. The pizza crust is cooked with sauce. Once removed from over COLD cheese is put on top with cold topping of your choice. At this point I'm thinking about a sub! My wife decides to try the cold and they tell me they can make them hot if we wish so I get 3 hot ones...I decide I atleast need to bite hers to try this out. We are from Ct...and are accustomed to not only the best pizza in the world but it also being hot. I try my hot version of their pizza and it's just ok. Then I try the cold slice they are known for and it's pretty awesome. I finish my hot slice and we get 2 slices to go...the way they make them normally. I have to confess I should have gone with my first instinct which was just to try it the way they make it....after all it's kinda the point of going to new places...you should not only experience the culture but the food aswell! A must try if you passing through and have never had it like this before.
(3)Russell E.
Sorry, but our pizza was cold. All nine cuts of it. And the garlic wings didn't taste like garlic. Maybe it was an off night?
(2)Scott M.
Beto's is a love or hate place. I love it. Great crust, lots of topping, sauce with chunks of tomato. If you want a "classy place" go somewhere else. If you want high-end pizza then go somewhere else. If you want good blue-collar pizza that is tasty and cheap this is the place. By default the toppings (cheese included) are thrown on after the fact and come out raw. That's OK with me but if you add the magic word "baked" as in "I'll have three cuts pepperoni baked" they will put the toppings on and put the pizza back in the oven until it melts. It is still awesome. the italian sub is also great. Ask them to add pepperoni, it's worth it. I've been going there since 1994 and am indebted to the guy that took me there for lunch. If you think it is a dive now, you should have seen it then. definitely worth a stop if you are doing a pizza tour of Pittsburgh.
(5)Kay E.
There are only so many ways to make the American bastardized version of a pizza, but for some reason there are as many "pizza shops" as there are stars in a clear night sky. As they may be stunning to behold, from afar each one is pretty much the same thing. This shop is another place that tosses sauce and cheese on bread and serves it to their patrons. Ok, so they DO have a slightly different take, throwing the cold shredded cheese onto the pie as soon as the dough is out of the oven. This does not melt the cheese, and I do see how the pizza would be cold after heaping on the cheese. Some customers may like it, me, not so much. I tried the Italian hoagie. It was a good size and the meat was flavorful. But that's about it. They put oil on the sandwich, but no other dressing. I expected a nice tangy flavor to compliment the meat but was disappointed. My date ordered a hot sausage hoagie. I didn't sample it, he liked it, but it was way too messy. The bread got soggy and the darn thing fell apart. It looked more like tomato soup with sausage than a sandwich. The staff did seem pretty nice, even trying to keep a smile while dealing with the stress of a busy crowded restaurant. The dining room is also a bit cramped. There are plenty of booths, but the tables are rather close together and hard to maneuver between. Hungry patrons also are constantly getting up to visit the soda fountain. When they are busy, it is a claustrophobic nightmare.
(2)Troy R.
Square Pizza is a great Pittsburgh area thing that alot of people just don't understand Beto's is new to me there is Tons of Cheese and Pepperoni and great Sauce very generous with toppings a little expensive but well worth it. If you like this pizza try Osso's in Washington PA.
(4)Mike L.
I love Beto's! Having said that, I acknowledge that their style of pizza is not for everybody. Do you love cheese? Do you love it so much that you want it so thick that it doesn't melt? I do! The sauce has chunks of tomato in it and the crust is thin and square cut. It tastes like no other pizza, but if you grew up eating it, nothing else is as good!
(5)Tin-Tin E.
They don't make pizza like this where I'm from. I don't even know if they make pizza like this anywhere else! My fiance introduced me to the wonders of Beto's when I visited Pittsburgh to meet his family. But back to the food...The crust is not really thin, but it's nice and crisp. Then there is the sauce, which I did not really notice. But what really makes this place different is the the cheese. It's not melted! They put it on last minute before serving. Normally I would think this is nasty and frozen-pizza-ish but they use some high quality cheese at Beto's that practically melts in your mouth. If you ask for pepperoni, be prepared to have it sliced and raw on your pizza. I don't mind this at all since it's not as greasy this way and reminds me of snacking on pepperoni right out of the fridge. Also their hoagies are awesome. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I will definitely stop by Beto's.
(5)danielle h.
It depends on your point of view, I grew up in the city and absolutely love it. If your getting more than one slice and want a topping, just get it on one. They over load the cheese and toppings, and its not all the way melted. Always served hot. Also the curly fries and hoagies are delicious. Love it or hate it is what I've heard. It's different, but my favorite and I make sure to go there every time I get home.
(5)Fred E.
Where else can one go to enjoy a meal that is just as good today as it was 5 years ago, as it was 25 or 30 years ago...that's Beto's Pizza. Two cuts with extra cheese and a half an Italian hoagie. That's my standing order. My family doesn't get it...but they don't cook the pizza with the extra cheese on it?!?! No they don't. That's what makes it unique, special and oh so delicious. Their loss! Yesterday I had' eaten since lunch, a meeting had lasted until 9pm. Heated up leftovers at home or cut down from Greentree Road to Beto's for two it's with extra cheese and a half an Italian...hmmmm. It should be a snap, 9:30 on a Monday night. What was I thinking? The dining room was packed and four people in front of me in line. Took 15 minutes. I didn't complain. I took it to go. I had the first piece in the parking lot. The crust hard. The perfect "plate" for that great sauce, with pieces of tomatoes, delicious. And, if you eat a cut right away, you can just about get all that cheese and pizza in your mouth and you get to eat about 8 oz of cheese that surrounds the cut. I had the second piece when I got home. By then all the cheese had melted into the pizza creating a blanket of cheese. Heavenly. Which is better, a cut with melted or unmelted extra cheese? I don't know. I think I'll need another 40 years of sampling Beto's to know for sure. One thing I'm sure of already, their hoagie is the absolute best in Pittsburgh. 5++++++
(5)Colin M.
Finally got a chance to try Beto's with my wife and some friends. The place was jumping on a cool Friday night and we waited about 5-10 minutes for a table. Didn't have a great first impression as the whole place was a bit of a mess. Dirty tables, floors, screaming kids - but I got past that pretty easily. My wife isn't a big pizza person, so we played it safe by ordering salads, wings, and a couple cuts of plain. Food came out fairly quickly and in order which I thought was great (and wasn't expecting). Salad itself was fine but didn't find the huge pile of cheese necessary - I get that this is what they're known for and knew it was coming, just not on the salad. Lots of onions, tomatoes and olives which made me happy. Wings were surprisingly good, we had a dozen hot and the sauce was basically franks - but I'm ok with that. Well cooked, hot, and lots of sauce. Pizza was pretty much what I expected, nice crispy crust, chunky tomatoes and lots of cheese. Little off putting as the waitress set the plate down on the table the cheese rubbed up against the tabletop which caused me to remove any of the cheese that touched. I enjoyed the pizza, and would I back, but not sure my wife would.
(3)Meghan B.
Beto's- you either love it or you don't. It's a unique pizza- baked with the sauce on and then the cheese goes on cold. It's kind of like an adult lunchable. Most recently, we called ahead and ordered our pizza. They were pretty busy, so we waited about 30 minutes for pick-up. What's a little annoying about it- you order by the slice... making it pretty pricey for pizza. If you are getting your pizza to go, I recommend getting your cheese on the side. Besides keeping the cheese cold, you can also control how much cheese goes on each slice. Otherwise, you'll end up with what we had. TOO much cheese- yes, I said it. Way too much cheese for my liking. I ended up taking half of it off to enjoy the pizza. If you haven't guessed yet, I lean on the side of not loving Beto's... although I can't speak too much for their other menu items, their pizza is just not my favorite. I will say, it is one of the most unique pizzas I have ever had, and is definitely worth trying. ps. If you order pepperoni, know that it is pretty spicy and they are really generous with it.
(3)Money B.
I went here for the second time it's been remodeled. I decided to try the pizza with melted cheese. It has good pepperoni but the sauce and cheese aren't flavorful.
(3)Marne O.
Shame shame shame on all of my friends who kept Beto's from me for so long. Finally my friend Alicia stepped up to the plate and took me here for the first time a couple weeks ago. I AM HOOKED! I love the cold cheese on the square slices. I think about this pizza every other day. Can't get it outta my mind!!! Going back ASAP!
(5)Lindsay S.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about cold cheese and toppings on my pizza, but Beto's has made me a fan! The crust is good, the sauce (chunks of tomatoes) is delicious, and the cheese was high-quality. Plus, for the price ($1.40/slice), you can't beat it.
(4)