12 Ways Newport's East Row gets its pizza fix

One thing the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region is NOT known for is its pizza.  Friends from Chicago and New York kindly remind us of that whenever they come to visit.  And, we are harshly reminded when we find ourselves gorging on Lou Malnati’s in the Windy City or Ray’s in the Big Apple.  But, while we aren’t known for pizza the way they are, the choices for us living in the East Row have expanded recently – and improved immensely.

We were delivered from the ho-hum predictable brands when Dewey’s Pizza opened at Newport on The Levee a number of years back.  It’s a nice walk down from the neighborhood.  It’s a great place to take friends and visitors.  And for dinner at the Levee, it’s reasonably priced compared to other choices in the complex.  But, while they do carryout (what pizza joint doesn’t?), Dewey’s doesn’t deliver.  To get delivery, East Row residents usually had to call on a national chain. 

In the last couple of years, we’ve had some new players come on the scene, and they’re giving the usual suspects a run for their money. 

Newport Pizza Company opened on Monmouth in 2009 and immediately gave us a local option that wasn’t LaRosa’s.  I’m not a LaRosa’s hater or anything, but, when it’s the go-to at every kid birthday party, school event and kid sports team celebration, well, who wouldn’t get tired of the same old thing? Newport Pizza does a nice job – they deliver, they’ve got an eat-in option and tables on the sidewalk when the weather is nice out. Oh - and they've got at least a couple of dozen beers to choose from. 

Mellow Mushroom is a mid-tier chain based out of Atlanta that has me jumping for joy.  I discovered them while in Georgia for a wedding and so, when I saw it go in just a few minutes’ drive away, I was pretty excited.  Open for over a year, and located down by the Town and Country sports complex in Wilder, they fit right in.

Mellow Mushroom’s atmosphere is fun and festive.  It's noisy enough that you won’t feel self conscious taking the kids, but nice enough that you could enjoy a casual date night dinner before a movie.  They’ve got a nice selection of beers on tap and salads and appetizers to go with the creative pizzas.  Our family’s favorite, the Funky Q Chicken, includes barbeque chicken, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and bacon. The other one we love, the Kosmic Karma, features sundried tomatoes, spinach, feta, fresh sliced tomatoes and pesto on a crust tossed before your eyes in the open kitchen.  The kids love watching the bakers while they wait for dinner.

Jet’s Pizza is another mid-tier chain, this time out of Detroit.  My husband discovered this one during a business trip in Florida.  When he saw the new store that just opened in Newport next to Kmart, he literally stopped the car and went in and ordered carryout on the spot.

Jet’s Pizza doesn’t look like much from the outside.  The facade is pretty generic.  It's tucked away in the corner of a strip mall, and they only do carryout and delivery.  But, if you “know,” then you KNOW!  Jet’s is a pizza that features a thick, doughy satisfying crust.  A Jet’s twist that makes it unique is offering a number of different options for tricking out your crust.  Customize it with various seasoning options that include garlic, sesame seeds, butter, parmasan, and the "turbo crust," which is a combo of seasonings.  Add in stellar combinations of toppings and a wide range of sizes - including PIZZA BY THE SLICE - and you’ve got a pizza that wins.  Our family loves the barbeque pizza and the Hawaiian.  Jet's Bread is a fun starter, and the subs and hoagies are on my short list to try.

Strong’s Pizzeria is the one I’m rallying for the most.  They’ve opened on Monmouth right next to Atlas Cleaners – just a half block up from the Levee.  With a wood-fired brick oven and back patio, they’re on track to win my heart for favorite neighborhood destinations right up there with Pompilio’s, Dixie Chili and Mammoth Coffee.

Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria boasts gourmet specialty pizzas that include an awardwinning Pizza Alla Vodka recipe the owner brought back with him from New York.  It’s fantastic. Add atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re eating in someone’s home, and you’ve got a formula for success.  The menu also features salads and appetizers along with some decent beers and wines.

We aren't short on decent choices in the East Row.  The one’s detailed above are the one’s I’m most excited about.  These new kids on the block are making the Newport pizza scene interesting and I’m not mad about it.

Newport East Row's pizza choices at a glance - order is alphabetical, not by preference:

Dewey’s Pizza  Delivery? NO

Domino’s  Delivery? YES

Donato’s  Delivery? YES

Fort Thomas Pizza  Delivery? YES

Jet’s Pizza Delivery? YES

LaRosa’s Pizza Delivery? YES

Mellow Mushroom Delivery? NO 
Newport Pizza Company  Delivery? YES

Papa John’s Delivery? YES

Pizza Hut Delivery? YES

Snappy Tomato  Delivery? YES

Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria  Delivery? YES

Edit July 5th 2012:  Here are two more places within a few minutes drive that were added by a reader (see comment below):
Buona Vita's Pizzeria in Dayton KY  (Delivery?  NO)
Raniero's Pizzeria in Highland Heights KY (Delivery? Yes, but not to Newport)

Did I miss any?  If there’s another pizza joint I’ve overlooked, leave a comment and I’ll gladly add to the list.


Disclosure:  I am a marketing professional who writes articles for a range of clients that are published in various places from time to time. I strive to operate with the highest integrity, ethics and transparency.  The content of this blog is my own and all posts and topics are published by my own volition and choice. I received no incentive, payment or other consideration in exchange for writing this article from any of the parties mentioned herein or otherwise.