Talking about pizza in this blog is not unusual. It is not just because I love a good pizza pie, but because Bridgeport and North Central West Virginia are blessed with many great restaurants offering a good slice.

 

People all have their own favorite choices. That is fine, and part of this blog is my opinion on pizza. Part of it is fact, as it involves a pizza shop that was a star that crossed this food lover’s sky for all too brief of a time.

 

Before I talk about this former food destination back from a time when I was not yet driving, my current and long-time number one pizza will be mentioned. Everyone who knows me, knows my favorite pizza – and they know why. I have been, and remain, a lover of Smitty’s Pizza in the North View section of Clarksburg, which for those who opt not to read the rest, IS NOT CLOSING. This is about a long gone establishment.

 

That does not mean it is your favorite. It does not mean other venues are worse. It just means it is my favorite – my opinion – so please take a deep breath if you disagree and remember many pizza places are locally owned so try to refrain from bashing any who make their living that way if possible.

 

Why is Smitty’s my favorite? For those wondering, I grew up on it. It was a pizza place in my neighborhood you could walk to and take home back when no one was delivering. When there were early delivery options (The Canteen was the first I could remember), they were not close to the options today as far as having food brought to your front door. And Smitty’s has been consistently good for decades.

 

The choices for pizza today have me going all over Harrison County, into Marion, Monongalia, Lewis, and I know many other counties were looking for a night of pizza dining. There are so many good options, but I will always have a place in my heart for Smitty’s despite many that are close behind them.

 

That said, I mention the one pizza that nearly took over the top spot on my pedestal. It was around, for certain, in the 1980s. Whether it was there in the 1970s or any part of the 1990s, I do not have the answer for it. I also have no photos of it, and our friends at Google suggest there are none. The photo above is of a Smitty's Pizza.

 

To be honest, I do not even know the correct spelling of the restaurant. I do not know who owned it. But I am betting there is someone out there reading this who will have some answers for yours truly or anyone that may be curious.

 

It was in Clarksburg, within walking distance of the area people to this day still consider the downtown portion of the city. It was in an area quite easy to describe – near the intersection of Main Street and Pike Street.

 

Technically, I guess it would be considered Main Street. Today, the area where it sat is a vacant lot. To get an idea, it is on the same side of the street that the Clarksburg McDonald’s is located and would have sat directly beside the recently closed Hartland Planing Mill, which is listed as a Pike Street business.

 

As you drove past McDonald’s, and then past Hartland Planing Mill, right after the turn where Pike and Main Street met was a building. And inside that building was Nicki’s Pizza. Or maybe Nikki’s Pizza. Or perhaps some other variation of the name.

 

I may not have the spelling down, but I do know this. The pizza was incredible. It was huge. It was downright delicious.

 

To the best of my knowledge, the restaurant served a Sicilian style pizza (although probably other styles). I am almost certain that was the case and that it was the pizza my father would order from there. And I would almost be certain the fact that my father picked up more than one pizza there leads me to believe that it was not just reasonably priced, but a deal worth driving to get.

 

My brother Tim and I would readily agree to go with him whenever the rare “pizza night” took place at the Toquinto household. Understand, in the 1980s, going out to eat for families on moderate incomes was maybe a once a month event, or perhaps a couple of times. And when those in our social circle went out, it was generally not to an upscale establishment.

 

Heck, I never made it inside the doors of the Wonder Bar until I started dating my wife. But I digress.

 

Once inside, the building had the smell that let you know the special feast that would take place once you arrived back home. But that was not the reason for wanting to go with dad.

 

It was one of the few places that had an arcade, which puts it in the 1980s because I played my favorite game ever – Defender. I remember going there with a few quarters, and my brother and I playing as we waited for the order to come out. We could usually get in a few games before it was time to head out with a Nikki’s pizza in hand.

 

The last thing I remember. It was heavy. Very heavy. The only pizza I recall being heavier was from Lucente’s Pizza in Summit Park (another blog for another day).

 

It is now up to you to help fill in a lot of the blanks. Comment below, or comment on one of our social media pages and let us know if you recall the pizza. Let us know if you know how it is spelled, who owned it, or anything else.

 

And let me know if you liked it. My taste buds tell me that you did.