Greg Fortney founded the operation along the Ohio State University campus in 1978, introducing thick-crust East Coast sheet pizzas to Central Ohio.
Now situated at 1618 Neil Avenue, the facility combines high-output deck ovens with daily in-house dough fermentation.
Positioning itself at the center of the university district, Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza provides an authentic alternative to mass-market pizza franchises through its focus on scratch-made Sicilian pan pizzas and hand-tossed pies.
Quick Bite – Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza, Columbus, OH 🍕
Deck ovens run at high heat to crisp the bottoms of massive sheet pans, baking the signature “Buckeye” pizza with an airy, focaccia-like center blanketed in spiced garlic tomato sauce and whole-milk mozzarella.
The kitchen also folds oversized calzones packed with ricotta and Italian meats while tossing jumbo chicken wings in house sauces.
Decades of reader votes in Columbus Alive, 614 Magazine, and The Lantern have maintained its reputation as a premier Franklin County dining institution.
The Local Atmosphere – Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza, Columbus, OH 🍻
Modern booth seating, sports-lined flat screens, and a bustling draft counter define the South Campus dining room.
Peak gamedays and class evenings draw continuous crowds from neighboring areas like Short North, Grandview Heights, Victorian Village, Clintonville, and Upper Arlington.
Dine-in tables and pickup counters turn over at high volume as hot sheet trays move directly out of the ovens.
Signature Bites – Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza, Columbus, OH 😋
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The Buckeye Sicilian Pizza: Massive thick-crust sheet pan pizza layered with garlicky sauce, melted cheese, and cupping pepperonis baked edge-to-edge.
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Hand-Tossed NY Style Pie: Classic round thin-crust pizza stretched by hand, topped with marinara and mozzarella, and baked until the crust blisters.
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Stuffed Meat Calzone: Folded pizza crust loaded with ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian sausage, served with warm dipping marinara.
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Garlic Cheese Bread: Split Italian loaf brushed with seasoned garlic butter, smothered in provolone and mozzarella, and toasted golden brown.
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Jumbo Tossed Chicken Wings: Crispy unbreaded bone-in chicken wings tossed in spicy buffalo, garlic parmesan, or sweet barbecue sauce.
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Hot Italian Sub: Sub roll layered with ham, salami, pepperoni, melted provolone, banana peppers, and house Italian dressing.
Takeaway Bite – Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza, Columbus, OH 😎
Stopping by 1618 Neil Ave provides a direct taste of a four-decade Buckeye culinary tradition.
Fortney’s dedication to scratch-proofed Sicilian pans, proprietary spice-forward sauce, and heavy cheese coverage separates the kitchen from generic national delivery chains.
That consistent, heavy-handed bake is why this mom and pops and hole in the wall anchor remains a legendary Italian spot for Columbus and the broader campus community.
📍: 1618 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
🕒: Sun-Thu: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM