Maybe it was the Chicago gal in me or perhaps the NY party girl that intrigued my visit to Two Cities Pizza Co in Mason, Ohio. Quite possibly it was the foodie in me that just wanted to see if Chicago Style pizza or New York Pizza was the answer to the hunger pangs in my belly.
What I found when I arrived was an incredibly welcoming structure, that looks more like something out of Hollywood rather than the little town in Mason Ohio within which it resides.
There are no details left undone in this architecturally solid Chicago/New York building that offers up wafting scents of pizza from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. Lavishly live the tale of dueling pizza crusts and competing tastes that will bring you back again and again! Are you ready to check out allergen friendly dining and the best pizza in the Mason, Ohio area?
Heading To Cincinnati
If you are headed anywhere near downtown Cincinnati, you need to program your GPS to find Mason, a lovely city in southwest Warren County Ohio, it’s only about 22 miles from Cincinnati and your pizza loving palate will thank you!
While our meal was provided, opinions and images are my own, based on our experience. As a traveling foodie I only share the best of the best so you too may indulge in the finest dining no matter where you travel! Our thanks to Two Cities Pizza Co for an awesome, allergen friendly dining experience.
Best Pizza In Mason Ohio
Set your GPS Destination for, 202 West Main Street, Mason, OHIO, 45040.
I believe that a letter to Two Cities Pizza Co might be the best way to tell this tale of dueling pizza crusts, incredible offerings and a dining experience like no other in the pizza joints we’ve munched in!
Dear Two Cities Pizza:
When I travel, I love seeking out the most unique, different locations. From your Penthouse booth to the Subway bathroom with mouthwash dispensers built in, to your Penny room you clearly lead the way in the unique, delicious and interesting eatery establishments.
THE BUSINESS
We all know the first thing everyone asks me about is service and allergen friendly dining, so let’s just clear the tables on these subjects. Thank you for making it possible for a child with severe food allergies to happily sit in a restaurant, with a food choice ranging from handmade pizza to a dessert that was beyond delectable and still being discussed.
And then there was Rebecca (our server) was Southern style sweet (we know she’s not from the South) and so perfectly attentive and knowledgeable. I think the joint has this all covered and you would have a great server no matter WHO is taking care of you (still ask for Rebecca, wink wink!)
INSIDE TWO CITIES PIZZA CO
You know, I have traveled coast to coast and internationally and never have I seen such a cool building for an eatery. Every place I travel I pick out a fave and the TCPC gets my vote in Mason. Maybe my favorite moment of the night was walking in, and seeing the Two Cities Logo beaming off the floor, I felt as though I walked into a Hollywood MOVIE.
As I sauntered around the eatery, I met ‘Sean’ and he was so wonderfully welcoming. He said, “make yourself at home, move throughout and go where you want” I got a mini history lesson. I need to address the architects that work upstairs in the building: I’d like a desk in your office space because I think you got the best seats in the house and I hear you frequent the joint, and now I know why, Hello Pizza Pie!
There is outdoor seating when weather permits, but I won’t chat about what I did not experience. I will tell you, it gets busy, it’s worth any wait you might have and the menu is great from the ability to mix up a pizza combination to really good pizza crusts, it’s all about the crunch.
WELCOME TO THE OLD MASON CITY HALL BUILDING
Sean did tell me that the building used to be the jail and where they collected taxes, it was the ‘all; building. Imagine that, we were eating in an old jail.
The bathroom ranks up there among my top two of the coolest I have ever been in (remember I could not show you what happened in Sortino’s because it was x/rated, haha). The outside shows you the New York Subway, the door to entrance the ladies room looks like a subway door and when you enter, the mirror has the hand loops above.
The fun does not stop there, in fact, you can hear the subway conductor talking, I swear it’s every time someone flushes. But wait, there’s more… mouthwash for all that garlic breath.
Bars & Pennies
There is a bar, bar area, a covered sitting area with a lovely fireplace, an outside area for dining, and a separate door for pickup. Did I forget to mention the penny room? This is the special element (set aside from the pizzas) giving it its own unique vibe.
GO into the the Penny Room and look around. Even if there are people in there, you will want to see this. It is a cool piece that adds to the experience. I am never afraid to walk around, because I get to uncover what others might miss!
Charles the General Manager (who I can’t thank enough for talking food with us) totally knows his food, all the eateries all over Cincinnati, who am I kidding he is the true foodie, took me to the Penny Room! So, I want to show it to you, but I don’t want to kill it for all of you.
No matter where your eyes roam in the restaurant, you will find something fun and cool to look at. From the photos on the wall (the name and inspiration for EVERY pizza on the menu and EVEN One that has not yet debuted) to 2 doves sitting atop the rafters.
Our night was about food, new friends, and pizza that had a killer crunchy base with a light and airy crust. Not deep dish, not thin NY, rather a blend that really just had a most distinctive crunch and airiness.
Fry Me
This big city girl who now resides in little Pittsburgh loves her Street Food and I think Two Cities Pizza Co. saw me coming. Parmesan Garlic Fries were magically dusted with the perfect combination of parmesan and garlic, while the bootlegged bread should be completely illegal for any other patrons to eat if their name is not Dana. I mean, why should I share, dough totally covered in a cheese blend that beckons sauce dipping?
NY PIZZA
Ms. Brooklyn is perfect for those who don’t eat meat. The crunch of the base crust, the grapes, the arugula, the cheese and the balsamic, just pure perfection, at some points almost waffle-like. You can get Ms. Brooklyn with meat on it and totally change the game, remember I am a non-meat eating chica!
However, here is a photo I walked up and snapped of someone else’s dinner (yeah I do that, and people love to share their food!) This is the Marathoner!
1/2 & 1/2
Kallie decided to be the queen of pizza adventure and traveled her belly right into the heart of New York. What did she get? Kallie got 1/2 of a Cabbie and the other half was fire house (BBQ chicken for all of you who don’t speak street).
Let’s talk Cabbie 1/2 because if you don’t you will miss the premium eats here! On this 1/2 of the NY pizza, bacon, red onion, potato, Gouda, scallion garnish, chipotle aioli drizzle and crema drizzle, making for lip-smacking eats!
The Firehouse 1/2 of the New York pizza was spicy buffalo chicken (get your water or your beer ready to tame the fire) bacon, red onion, scallion garnish with ranch drizzle! ( I say chug a few of these fab beers available and hail your server for more, I mean, your supposed to be in NY, RIGHT? )
Don’t look for grease you won’t find that, but there was a nice kick in the fire house! Would she repeat choices? Yes and No? Why no? Because if see the frickin’ menu there’s too much other great pizza waiting to be devoured and yes because it’s her new fave!
The Bull and Bear Calzone
MJ battled an 8″ calzone loaded with pepperoni, bacon and sausage, and ranch and marinara dunking sauce. The crust of the calzone, the underbelly was crunchy, while the top section and middle were chewy and delicious. The battle began as this teen took on a meat-loaded calzone that almost kicked his ass! (yep, all of 6’2″ of him was defeated by the size, remember we ate starters and this killed it! )
ALLERGEN BOY
Well, my son is pretty darn boring because his allergies are pretty darn extreme. While the menu was not limiting his imagination was, so he suffered through (eye roll) an incredible cheese and pepperoni pizza. He also ate the aforementioned fries and bootlegged bread, so it’s not like he was hungry he is just not a foodie!
VINO & SWEETS
I have to tell you there is nothing like a great meal, but it is not great without a wine! You all can enjoy those beers and hops (they have lots of craft beers, that’s just not my thing sorry), this girl loves her wine! Rounding out a spectacular dinner is a good glass of Malbec (yes it’s available because they have a full bar) and of course donuts with a cannoli dip. Powdered bite size delights in an authentic Italian cannoli cream just made perfect sail to perfection.
Love on the pizza restaurant with lots of built-ins, loads of pop culture, and fun. For those of us not fortunate enough to live in Mason, OHIO, we can cheer you on for winning Cincinnati’s best pizza cause you OWN that title.
Love,
One Chicago Girl, Transplanted to a small city lacking your pizza.
DANA
