FIRST: Lucci’s Place

Location is the way to success, according to Lucci’s Place owner Peter Finley.

“It’s great being across the street from the university and being able to feed the hungry kids in this town,” Finley said. “Because of our location, nobody else has the chance that we do to be successful.”

Finley added they do a lot of business with the college students because their food is affordable, with pizza options starting around $7. 

“We’re getting a lot of Kent State students coming up here grabbing a slice of pizza and a can of soda on the go,” he said. “A lot of them really love being able to come over and fill up. When you’re a college student, you need that balance of convenience and something that’s cheap, and right now, it’s hard to find a cheap meal. So I’m glad that we can still keep our costs relatively low for the students.”

Lucci’s Place won first place for Best Pizza title last year, and the spot has earned the placement for the last seven consecutive years.

Finley said he looks to increase business by opening during lunch hours and to debut a new menu item, despite mixed reactions.

It’s called “The Pickled Pepperoni Pizza,” Finley said.

“Today I just introduced a pizza with white sauce, pepperoni and pickles,” he said. “It’s the pizza of the week and it is awesome. Anyone who tries that would love it, plus, nobody does a pickle pizza in Kent, so it’s a novelty thing. Even if you think you might not like it, you should try it.”

Lucci’s Place is open every day of the week 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

SECOND: Guys Pizza Co. 

Guy’s Pizza owner Evan Lundberg said he believes his pizza place finds success because of its availability.

“We’re downtown, we’re right in the thick of it,” he said.  “We’re up until 3 a.m., so we get the bar crowd. Anyone that comes down here to drink knows about us. We’ve got a lot of local flair and a local vibe – we’re kind of relaxed.” 

Employee Hunter Emus said the $2 slices are the biggest success for the business. He said the business is popular because the food is “really good, hot and fresh,” and can be eaten anytime of the day.

Guy’s Pizza has many options on their menu, including pizzas, wings, “Guyzones” calzones, burgers and desserts.

THIRD: Belleria

For the employees at Belleria, the environment and atmosphere is everything a person needs in a pizza place. The restaurant offers custom pizzas and more than a dozen specialty pizza combinations, including BBQ Chicken and Breakfast Pizza with eggs.

Employee Ashley Downin said the work environment and owner Thomas Gavozzi are the best aspects to working at Belleria. 

“He is very involved in everything and he is here everyday, so that is my favorite part,” she said.

Luke Anderson, another employee, said the ingredients are his favorite part about Belleria.

“All of our ingredients are environmentally friendly,” he said. “It adds a higher quality taste to it.”

Downin said the price of the menu brings in a lot of business, as well as their social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. 

“Everything that we have is very well made and it has a very good price,” Downin said. “We recently started doing our social media, and are being a lot more involved in that which has helped us as far as getting college kids in here.”

Anderson said that the increase in college students’ business is because Belleria accepts FlashCash and Downtown Dining Dollars.

The menu at Belleria offers many choices of pastas, pizzas and appetizers. Anderson said his favorite menu item is the alfredo, and Downin said hers is the bruschetta. 

The restaurant is open every day except Monday, Tuesday-Thursday from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

John Hilber is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].