The Great NoCo Pizza Challenge: Pirrone’s vs. Halls Ferry Inn
Shannon Howard | Feb 03, 2011 | Comments 7
NOCO fans, I’ve fallen short on my pizza duties this week. Between a busy work schedule and bad weather, I didn’t have a chance to buy pizzas from Cork Wine Bar and Meglio’s. So until I’m able to do a head-to-head taste test, I’ll just go along with the reader’s choice for Round Five: Cork.
Round Six brings us another classic lineup in the Great NoCo Pizza Challenge – two longtime North County restaurants that each have loads of fans. I expect to see a record number of voters this week, especially since Superbowl Sunday offers the perfect opportunity to taste-test some local pizza with friends and family. Hint, hint…
Our first contender, Halls Ferry Inn, has been going strong in NoCo since 1967, when owner Joe Podorski first opened his doors in the Central City Shopping Center. I distinctly recall his original location, just across the parking lot from one of the coolest buildings ever, Central Hardware.
Joe and his son, Jerry, moved from that spot in 1993…to a larger space on N. Highway 67. Today, Halls Ferry Inn is still making fresh Italian sausage every day and serving up hand-cut steaks, amazing onion rings and delicious pizza. The pizza is St. Louis-style – thin crust with provel – but mozzarella cheese is available. You can select your own toppings or choose from three specialties – the Vegetarian, the All Meat, and the Deluxe, with onion, bacon, salami, pepperoni, green pepper, and Italian sausage. Large single-topping pizzas start at $14.25.
Halls Ferry Inn – 3425 N US Hwy 67, 63033, (314) 830-1300. Hours: coming soon..
Ever since announcing the Pizza Challenge, I’ve received a constant stream of emails all saying the same thing: PIRRONE’S!!! No doubt about it, this Florissant restaurant has built up a very loyal following. And like Halls Ferry Inn, it’s also decades old and is now located in a space much larger than its original storefront.
I remember squeezing into the cozy old Pirrone’s on St. Anthony, chowing down on pizza and salad after soccer games. That was pre-1989, back when Tony Pirrone still owned the place. Today, Jay Jaworski and Rick Puckett are running the show, and business is so good, they recently opened a second location in St. Peters.
Of course, we’ll be trying their North County pizza, which is classic St. Louis-style topped with provel. Pirrone’s has three specialty pizzas on the menu – the Supreme, with sausage, bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms and onion, Jerry’s Special, a hot & spicy pizza with pepperoni, extra-crispy bacon and extra cheese, and the Veggie. You can also choose from a wide selection of toppings, including freshly made Italian sausage and meatballs. Large single-topping pizzas start at $15.45.
Pirrone’s – 1775 Washington, 63033, (314) 839-3633. Hours: Monday to Thursday 11-11, Friday & Saturday 11-midnight, Sunday noon-10
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Cast your vote! Round Six voting ends Wednesday, February 9, at 11am…
Who has the better pizza?
- Pirrone's (85%, 163 Votes)
- Halls Ferry Inn (15%, 28 Votes)
Total Voters: 191
Loading ...If you’re looking for the contest bracket, you’ll find it right here.
Filed Under: Food & Drink
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I’m soooo glad the no smoking policy passed because I can now go back to Halls Ferry Inn! I loved their food but it was sooooooo smokey that it effected the taste of their food. Even the kids complained about it. Now my family can return. They offer the BEST comfort food with reasonable prices. I can’t wait to go, it has been over 5 yrs.
Totally agree, Janette. When I think of Halls Ferry Inn, old and new, I think dark and smoky. Hopefully the ban will bring back more customers like you!
Too bad Halls Ferry Inn is so far away from where I live now. Kudos to the owner for making AND selling his own pies!
Angelo’s Pizzeria 4814 Parker Rd, Florissant, MO 63033
Has them both beat.
[...] two local heavyweights up to bat in Round Six of the Great NoCo Pizza Challenge, I was expecting to eat some pretty tasty pizza this week. And [...]
[...] He was there when his cousin opened Angelo’s in Black Jack. Also when his other cousin opened Pirrone’s in Florissant. Stan even helped Faraci Pizza and Serra’s (a Maryland Heights favorite) get [...]
[...] got left behind, but overall we have a solid group in the finals. The contenders include Pirrone’s and Mattingly’s of Florissant, Saullo’s and Ponticello’s of Spanish Lake, and [...]