In downtown Dayton, a pizza place is owned by a Sicilian family that two generations have operated. They have survived 50 years serving whole pies or by the slice! It was even torn down and rebuilt as part of Dayton’s modernization efforts.
Before I go further, I have a confession to make. I grew up on this pizza. I teethed on it. It’s been around so long that my mother used to go there during her lunch in high school. Fast forward to when I was on active duty traveling the world; every visit home involved a trip to Flying Pizza for the comfort and taste of nostalgia. So, in all honesty, this restaurant is a part of my family. As a parent, I have taken my children there, and I’m happy to discover they love it as much as I do.
Don’t be fooled when you visit, though. There are two other Flying Pizza’s in the area that distant family members of the original operate, but sadly they fall short in comparison. Anyone that tells you they are the same hasn’t tried all three. Ensure you go to the one on Main St. in downtown Dayton.
The Flying Pizza has a small mom-and-pop menu. They offer side salads, calzones, meatballs, and breadsticks, but the two main items you need to concern yourself with are their hand-tossed (literally flying pizza) or their proofed Sicilian squares. The dough for both the squares and hand-tossed is made fresh in-house. The cheese is a perfect classic pizza blend that melts completely and has a fresh taste. The sauce for the hand-tossed is generously spread, zesty but not overpowering, and the crust has just enough bite to it. The pies are generous sizes, and the slices are cut large so you can have that ideal fold for eating.
The squares are proofed the night before and have a thin layer of sauce with onions and garlic. The proofing allows the dough to become airy yet hearty, almost ciabatta-like. Then when you order, they are pulled out and covered with more sauce, onions, and whatever toppings you desire. All of their items are cooked in older, well-seasoned pizza ovens. No conveyor belt ovens here, ensuring a perfect bake.
Eat-in or take-out, you will not go wrong. Even leftovers reheated or cold the next day have tasted just as good. I hope you visit and truly enjoy this family establishment in Dayton’s heart.
