There was a time in the Snob’s real job where his co-workers called him the “Traveling Treasurer.” However, in these days of e-mail, internet and pricy airfares, my business travel has certainly been reduced. (Oh, the adventures the Snob could have had!) Fortunately, duty recently called, and I made a last minute trip to Columbus, Ohio – a place I hadn’t seen in over 20 years.
Columbus is a great college town, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes and a giant campus of over 50,000 students. This fact alone got me excited as the Snob is still a college student at heart, and college towns usually are great places to visit. My pizza expectations were therefore high. My time limited me to Friday lunch, and my web surfing pointed me to Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza. The name sounding right, it seemed a possible fit for the Snob.
Our business done, my Calzone-Eating Boss Man, The Attorney, and I hailed a taxi from downtown to the edge of the campus. Arriving, we saw a line out the door and got a parting comment from the cabbie that this was the best pizza place in town. Both positives.
On the way there, the guys were ribbing me that the Snob, needed to be tougher on the places I was reviewing. Well, they got their wish as Adriatico’s was a big disappointment. The place was a nice little joint with wait table service. Since there were no slices, we selected the Large Extra Thin for $14.75. It arrived with burnt cheese spots and an oily sheen warning me that this might not be a good one! It wasn’t. It didn’t taste awful, but it was far from New York Style. The ingredients were off and the pie way too oily. The sauce had no real flavor, and the cheese was unusual. And man, that burnt cheese (most likely the result of an untraditional oven) leaves a bad after taste in your mouth for an awfully long time! Finally, the crust wasn’t toasted on the bottom and also had an overall funky taste.
I noticed no college kids there for lunch that day. Either they were on campus using their meal plans, or they know of a better pizza joint! Oh yeah, Boss Man didn’t like his Calzone very much either. Goodbye Columbus!
PIZZA SNOB RATING ** Why Did I Waste Those Calories?
Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza
265 West 11th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
614-421-2300
[No website]
The Pizza Snob 
Too bad. The thin crust pizza there isn’t good but the thick crust supremo is divine.
Hey–the things I do just to warn others!
You went to Adriatico’s and got a thin crust pizza? Zero respect for your website now.
I agree with Eric, that’s like ordering a cheeseburger at an Italian restaurant. Next time, try the thick crust, its hall of fame material!
I may be back in Columbus soon. Any other places I should try?