When Andrew Silvaroli became the new owner of Smiling with Hope Pizza, he brought his Buffalo, NY family’s serious approach to pizza, Italian food (especially cannoli), and football.
This community-focused pizzeria hires handicapped people to work alongside staff, creating a wonderful atmosphere where everyone enjoys their job.
The restaurant uses a multiple-stack pizza oven from New Jersey with the correct recipe and process that creates pizza bliss with perfect dough-to-ingredient ratios.
From classic New York thin crust to authentic Sicilian style, every pie emerges with crisp, smoky, delicious crust dense with cheese and toppings. 🍕
How Smiling with Hope Pizza Won Reno’s Hearts
Smiling with Hope captured Reno’s devotion by serving the closest to authentic East Coast pizza you’ll find, possibly the best New York style on the West Coast.
Their dough is crazy good with nice crispy texture complementing the sauce, earning praise from customers who’ve lived in NYC, Los Angeles, and traveled to Italy twice.
The crust achieves perfect chewy consistency with slight charred edge just like Italy, creating authentic flavor that New Yorkers recognize immediately.
The large slices fold just right with a perfect amount of charring, making ranch dressing completely unnecessary for proper consumption.
Customers report the smell is heavenly, greeting diners the second they step through the door with enticing aromas.
Food Highlights
- Pepperoni Pizza: The most photographed pizza features fresh chiffonade of basil, creating an enticing aroma with crispy crust and perfect charring.
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16″ NY Thin Crust Pizza: The classic New York style with red or white sauce options, featuring that authentic crispy crust with chewy center.
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Sausage Pizza: Made with homemade sausage that takes the classic New York style to another level, earning praise from native New Yorkers.
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Classic New York Style with Mushrooms and Sausage: Called the best pizza in Reno by multiple reviewers, with great crust and welcoming owners.
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Sicilian with Pepperoni: This square, thick-crust version features generous pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fresh basil.
- 12″ x 12″ Sicilian Pizza: The authentic thick crust style with red or white sauce, featuring a fluffy interior and crispy edges.
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NY Ricotta Pizza with Sausage: A customer favorite combining creamy ricotta with homemade sausage for rich, satisfying flavor.
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White Pizza: The garlic and olive oil base provides a lighter alternative to red sauce, available on NY thin or Sicilian crust. 🧄
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12″ Cauliflower Crust Pizza: The gluten-free option that ensures everyone can enjoy authentic New York-style pizza.
- Hot Knots: The Sicilian-style appetizer with pepperoni, cheese, tomato sauce, and basil delivers pizza flavors in bite-sized form.
- Cannoli: These authentic Italian pastries are called the best this New Yorker has found out West, made with a family recipe from Buffalo
Atmosphere
The dining area features Buffalo Bills memorabilia, creating a fun environment to watch games with the owner’s New York roots on full display.
The store is inviting and very clean, with sufficient seating for small groupings that make you feel right at home.
Bottom Line
Visit for authentic New York style pizza, possibly the best on the West Coast, homemade sausage and cannoli from Buffalo family recipes, hiring special needs workers creating a wonderful atmosphere, a pizza oven from New Jersey creating perfect crust, and the owner always checking on guests.
Address:
6135 Lakeside Dr, Suite 101, Reno, NV 89511
📞 (775) 825-1070
🕔 Open Wed-Sat 11:30 AM–8 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM (closed Mon-Tue)