Why Pagach Pizza Is a Local Tradition in Northeastern PA
Pagach pizza in NEPA — sometimes spelled pagash — is more than just a seasonal specialty. This Slavic-inspired mashed potato pie has become a regional staple, especially during Lent, when restaurants and bakeries roll out their most anticipated trays. Rooted in Eastern European heritage, pagach blends soft potatoes, cheese and dough into a hearty comfort food that generations have grown up enjoying.
Every kitchen puts its own spin on pagach pizza. Some offer single-crust rounds, others serve double-crust stuffed versions. You’ll find options topped with onions, made with cabbage or even built on Sicilian-style trays. That variety is part of the fun — and why locals make it a point to try multiple spots each season.
Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or searching for pagach near you for the first time, these Northeastern PA restaurants and bakeries are serving some of the region’s most talked-about slices.
Pittston, PA
Arcaro’s The Next Generation in Pittston offers pagach seasonally alongside its Old Forge style trays and Italian classics. Guests can enjoy this regional favorite during Lent as part of their rotating specialties. It’s a traditional addition to a menu known for comfort food and family favorites.
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Plains, PA
Bakery Delite in Plains serves pagach every Wednesday and Friday during Lent, with options available with or without cabbage. This longtime bakery is known to sell out quickly, especially during peak Lenten weeks. Ordering ahead is recommended for large quantities.
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Bear Creek Village, PA
Cosenza’s Pizza & Restaurant in Bear Creek Village features pagach among its lineup of classic Italian dishes and specialty pizzas. With more than five decades of family ownership, the restaurant continues to serve regional favorites alongside creative menu options. Pagach joins their seasonal and traditional offerings.
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Old Forge, PA
Cusumano in Old Forge includes pagach among its creative takes on Italian and regional favorites. Known for blending tradition with modern flavor, the restaurant offers pagach as part of its distinctive pizza menu. It’s one more way Cusumano honors Old Forge’s culinary heritage.
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Scranton, PA
DaVinci Pizza in Scranton builds its pagach on a medium-thickness Sicilian crust topped with a thin layer of mashed potatoes and generous cheese. Rich butter and onion seasoning deliver a pierogi-inspired flavor without onion chunks. It’s a satisfying option for customers seeking a quick dine-in, takeout or delivery meal.
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Moscow, PA
Ferri’s Pizza in Moscow offers pagach seasonally alongside its Old Forge style trays and specialty pizzas. This family-owned restaurant has served Northeastern PA since 1936 and continues to highlight regional favorites on its rotating menu. Pagach returns each year as part of their seasonal offerings.
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
Franco’s in Wilkes-Barre serves pagach in addition to its New York-style pies and Italian comfort food. Guests can enjoy this regional staple alongside gourmet specialty pizzas and classic pasta dishes. It’s one of many longtime favorites on their expansive menu.
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Plymouth, PA
Happy Pizza in Plymouth has been making pagach for over 45 years and serves it year-round, not just during Lent. Their version is filled with potatoes, cheese and optional onions, with cabbage pagach available during the Easter season. It remains one of their most talked-about regional specialties.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Magda’s Family Catering & Pizza in Wilkes-Barre offers pagach as part of its lineup of seasonal NEPA specialties. Known for Sicilian and round pizzas, this family-owned pizzeria highlights traditional dishes like pagach alongside piggies and haluski. It’s a comforting nod to regional flavor.
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Pittston, PA
Napoli’s Pizza in Pittston offers both a single-crust round pagach and a double crust version topped with bacon. Family owned since 1999, Napoli’s blends Italian tradition with local favorites. Pagach joins their extensive menu of pizzas, subs and Italian specialties.
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Exeter, PA
Pizza L’Oven’s in Exeter serves pagach every day during Lent alongside its signature pan-fried Sicilian pizza. This family-owned restaurant has been a local favorite since 1982. The seasonal pagach complements a menu known for wings, trays and casual comfort food.
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Trucksville, PA
Pizza Perfect in Trucksville serves pagach every day during Lent alongside its signature pan-fried Sicilian pizza. This family-owned restaurant has been a local favorite since 1982. The seasonal pagach complements a menu known for wings, trays and casual comfort food.
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West Wyoming, PA
Sicilian Bella Festa in West Wyoming serves a thick pagach pizza year-round that puts a bold twist on tradition. This pan-style pie—also known as pierogi pizza—is topped with caramelized onions and fragrant rosemary for a savory, comforting bite.
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Dough Company in Wilkes-Barre features a NEPA-style pagach made with mashed potatoes, cheese and onions inside a double crust. This family-owned restaurant has served homemade pizza and pasta since 1985. Pagach stands out among their lineup of regional and gourmet pies.
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Waymart, PA
The Waymart Hotel Restaurant & Saloon in Waymart serves pagach alongside one of NEPA’s oldest pizza recipes. Known for classic pies and community gatherings, the restaurant includes pagach among its traditional offerings. It’s a regional favorite featured on a menu rooted in local history.
Learn MoreArticle Updated from its original version published on 3/6/2024.
5 Spots for Pagach in NEPA
