TRIB TOTAL MEDIA THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 · 9 adno=6443100 Bronze Award—Best New Business - Southwest Pizza Americana Owners: Jeff Kovalik and John Valaw Since opening its doors in October 2015, Pizza Americana has carved out its place by bringing quality food to Heidelberg and the surrounding communities. Owner John Valaw, who grew up nearby in Green Tree, was confident that his products would be a success when Pizza Americana took over its location on Railroad Street—a spot that previous restaurants had vacated. Even as his store went though first-year struggles, most notably a mishap with a failing pizza oven, Pizza Americana has proven popular enough with its customers to be selected the 2017 Reader’s Choice Bronze Award winner for Best New Business in the Southwest. “It’s an honor to be voted for this. We were totally clueless (voting) was going on because we were still getting back to full operation after a month and a half with our oven catastrophe,” Valaw said. “I know most of our customers on a first-name basis because they order quite frequently. It’s humbling to know people took the time to fill out that form. “Some places I’ve worked, it was a big thing to get as many customers as possible to vote.We made no effort at all because we were going through all the other stuff in the kitchen. So, to win is really humbling.” Valaw noted that too many local restaurants have similar-tasting pizza, so he sought to stand out with his own selection of ingredients.Their website calls the restaurant “Where the old world meets the new,” and as a reflection of that, Pizza Americana’s pizza is available hand-tossed, Sicilian or New York style and made with imported Italian flour and fresh tomato sauce. Among some of Pizza Americana’s more popular specialty items are their pierogie pizza, pepperoni supreme pizza and homemade meatballs that can be a topping on pizza or on one of their hoagies. Other popular items include their hand-cut ribeye steak, which comes on both their Philly steak specialty pizza or grilled on a hoagie with American, provolone or — in true Philadelphia fashion — Cheez Whiz. “This is more of a meat and potatoes neighborhood, so we’ve got a lot of things on the menu to fit that. It has been successful, and we seem to be getting some good repeat business with it,” Valaw said, also highlighting their lasagna and hand-breaded fish sandwiches, a seasonal favorite during Lent. Pizza Americana is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, deliver y or carryout. Orders can be placed by calling 412-200-2782 or on line at their website, www.am.pizza.com. Fast Delivery! FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 11AM-12AM & SUNDAY: 12PM-9PM 412-200-2782 1917 E. RAILROAD STREET, Rt. 50 • HEIDELBERG OPEN MONDAY THRU THURSDAY: 11AM-10PM, BEST NEW BUSINESS adno=6443094 AS OUR WAY OF THANKING YOU! PICK UP SPECIAL - LARGE 1 TOPPING FOR ONLY $9.99 PLEASE MENTION READER’S CHOICE AWARD WHEN ORDERING
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