Comments on: Columbus Pizza History: A Slice by Slice Account

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:16:02 +0000

Kim – would love to know what years you worked at Leonardo’s…I think I worked there from 1977-1981.

By: Kim H

Kim H — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:36:41 +0000

Leonardo’s was my favorite pizza as a teenager. Never found anything else as good! Tommy’s is probably my favorite right now, or maybe Rotollo’s. But neither is consistent. Leonardo’s was perfect EVERY time!

By: larry anderson

larry anderson — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:31:51 +0000

Best pizza ever medium crust, cornmeal duste and that special mozzerlla and provolone mixture. Almost 40 years since I managed the Marion store and every time I am back in town someone will start a conversation about how no one made a better pizza.

By: Linda Welch

Linda Welch — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:19:47 +0000

Laurie, so nice to hear from you. Pat and Ann had 4 children if I’m not mistaken, and Drew was the youngest son. How wonderful that you and Drew have reconnected and make pizzas on Friday night for seriously ill children. Maybe you guys should open up a pizza shop…if you do – please let me know! Tell Drew I said hello and if you see Ann and Pat – please let me know I think of them often. Take care and good luck to you guys.
Linda W.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:04:51 +0000

Hello Linda
I am connected to the Orecchio family. I dated Drew in 1979 and have since reconnected with him. Your kind words were so nice to read. Just to correct Vito(above). Drews dad Pat bought out Cosmo in the early 50′s. He then expanded the chain on his own, with the help of Drews mother Anna.I work with Drew and we make the original recipe at a camp for seriously ill children for Friday nite pizza.It’s amazing and everyone tells him it’s the best pizza ever.It’s too bad that the true artist from the mom and pop era have faded and everyone thinks that all the corporate stuff is so good , when we all know that it’s not even comparable.Thanks again for all the kind words. Drew sends his love to all the loyal friends and family of Leonardo’s.

Laurie

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:30:52 +0000

Hi Thomas…it would be great if there would be a Leonardo’s again…loved the pizza crust – wasn’t cracker thin or too thick…it was perfect! I wonder if the Orrecchio’s are still around today? Would love to talk with them again. If anyone knows the Orrecchio’s (not quite sure of the spelling – but this is close) or has any way of communicating with them – via email or Facebook please let me know.

They were wonderful people. They even attended my wedding back in 1981.

Have a great weekend – and let me know if you find a place that is comparable to Leonardo’s.

By: thomas foughty

thomas foughty — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:02:21 +0000

i remember the pizza. i have not had a better pizza. they went out of business. i wish a family member would open one up soon, i will help them do so if possible. i have been around 46 years and it was the pizza was best i ever had.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:16:19 +0000

Just an update – I tried Enrico’s Pizza that was suggested by DashinHilliard – it was good pizza but nothing like the old Leonardo’s. My personal favorite now is Ange’s Pizza (I go to the one on Karl and 161) – and Pizza House is a close 2nd. Always looking for good suggestions on the best pizza in Columbus, Ohio. I’ll try any of them at least once!

By: tom

tom — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:22:31 +0000

This is correct. The original Leonardo’s was on that small lot across from Pierce Field. The owner, a greek gentleman whose name I can’t recall, sold the lot and moved to the shopping center just west of there and had the shop in the same area where Marshall’s restaurant is. This would have been at the time when the east end of that center was occupied by McKinley’s Pharmacy. But as to the original building indeed it was green. At the point it was there probably the only other pizza places in town would have been Tommys, Romeo’s [at the corner of 5th and North Star], Masseys, Rubino’s in Bexley and TAT. In the end Leonardo’s moved to the shopping center at the corner of Fishinger and 33, then Panzera’s took it over.

By: Leanne

Leanne — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:30:46 +0000

If you can duplicate the aroma you’ll have it made. There was something distinctive about it, not just a generic Italian/Pizza smell … something more. It was my favorite place to go for spaghetti when I was a kid growing up (50′s-60′s) in Clintonville, my mouth started watering as soon as we stepped in the door. A great loss for the area.

Maybe you can tell me what they put on their pizza that had a licorice taste to it – fennel ? Never had it before or since but it was heavenly.