Written by Lauren Graham
The perfect slice of pizza masters three elements: cheese, sauce, and most importantly, dough. First, the cheese should be warm, gooey, and just the right texture to add that soft mildness we all look forward to for our first bite. If the slice doesn’t have that iconic cheese pull, then what’s the point, right? Second, the sauce can make or break a pizza. If the slice will be any good, then the sauce has to be rich, aromatic, flavorful, and full of tomatoey goodness.
Last but not least is the dough, the pièce de résistance that holds it together. A good pizza dough is fluffy yet crispy and soft but with a delicate crunch for a crust. You've got the perfect pie when you add all these up. Now finding a slice of pizza like that is hard to come by. Luckily, O4W Pizza in Downtown Duluth has the perfect pizza recipe down to a science with their timeless Garden State pies.
Founder of O4W Anthony Spina honed his pizza-making craft with the idea that the key to a good pizza is its simple and honest flavors passed down in timeless family recipes. O4W prides itself on making pizza with traditional and freshly made ingredients starting with the dough down to the toppings. Now, Duluth locals enjoy and indulge in old-fashioned New Jersey-style pies. From their cozy and down-to-earth interior to the carefully crafted pizzas, appetizers, and dinners, O4W is a joint worth visiting. Here are some of my favorite dishes from their delicious menu.
Pizza:
O4W has four main pizza variations: Grandma, Sicilian, Detroit, Old Fashioned, and the Classic Rounds. From these categories, you can choose from a host of mouthwatering combinations! The Spicy Italian and the Grandma Pie are just two flavors to choose from O4W’s famous grandma pizzas, which are 16 inches of delicious square-shaped pies. Or if you crave something just a little more classic, you can never go wrong with their Margarita pizza that has fresh mozzarella, basil, and house-made marinara. O4W’s bright, herbal, and tangy marinara sauce is downright addicting. It is one of the best-tasting pizza sauces that I’ve had, and it makes their pies one of a kind. A favorite slice worth trying is the Boss, a classic Jersey round pie topped with fluffy ricotta cheese, juicy pepperoni, sautéed spinach, and Calabrian chilis for a hint of spice!
Dinners, Salads, and More:
This joint also has classic Italian dinner specialties such as chicken parmesan and sausage rolls. They are comforting, hearty, and just the dishes to feed your soul and stomach. And if you want an appetizer while you wait for your entrée, a must-try is their Arancini, deep-fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese and served with marinara dipping sauce. These fried balls of cheesy goodness are addictive. And if you want something to balance off the pizza, O4W's menu has three house salads: Caesar, Italian house, and buffalo chicken salad. Their garden salad is my favorite, with its mixture of olives, chickpeas, red onions, and their sweet house-made vinaigrette.
Not only is the food amazing, but O4W’s location adds to the overall flair of the restaurant. A great thing about this joint is that you can order a slice or a pie, walk down to the green space, and have a relaxing picnic in the lively city center. Some of my favorite memories were made with O4W’s pizza, like days in the park with a delicious margarita pie or late nights at home with a garlicky white pizza.
This restaurant provides its customers with nostalgic comfort and home from its New Jersey flair and down-to-earth environment. They put a lot of effort into the flavors and construction of their pizza, subs, dinners, and appetizers, and it's a place worth visiting.
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