Buona Pizza

Looking from the outside nothing invites you to enter. Once entering a few games to hold your attention while you wait so, bring your quarters. Then you walk by about 10 tables to reach the order counter. Still the look is just blah. But, if you place an order and have a little patience you will be in for a treat. We got it in a to go box but, tried the pepperoni pizza while we sat in and ate. Fresh, hot, perfect and tasty. It did not disappoint. I would return if I were in the area.

You are not going to get a closer New York style pizza anywhere. I would recommend to anyone

Took a while to get here, nearly 2 hours. Food is good, just don’t get it delivered.

Best pizza in scranton. Make sure you bring cash though they don’t accept credit cards. Great family owned business and fantastic service and food. My favorite piZza around

Buona has becoming something of a Scranton institution and locally famous but I really don’t understand why. Their pizza itself is rather average. Unless you cover the pie in toppings or loads of salt there isn’t much in the way of taste to be found. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and grimy.
When entering Buona Pizza I feel the same as when walking through a dark alley or parking garage after dark. The people who work behind the counter all have attitude problems. Other than the pizza slices everything else on the menu is over priced.

No atmosphere, no music, dirty tables, harsh fluorescent lighting but the pizza was tasty. It wasn’t the experience I was hoping for on a First Friday. You guys have a large spacious place. Try some great music. Create a vibe… I’m surprised how little is put into such a big space…

I’m going to parrot back what others wrote: «If you like NY Style Pizza, This is the place to go.» Feel free to stop in for a slice or two to-​go, when you’re in the mood! Don’t be worried about the little one-​story grey-​cinder-​block building it’s in, cuz you can’t judge a book by its cover. Realized they have been there for 40yrs and there’s only one way a restaurant stays in business that long: Good food!

I’ve been a customer since they first opened their business. The pizza is as good today as as it was back in1968. One would be hard pressed to find any better NY style pizza in this area. Great ingredients and fair pricing makes this a win-​win selection. For those of you that eat fast food pizza, try this and experience what REAL pizza is all about.

It’s true, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover! I did. We were starving and pizza sounded like a good idea, walking up to Buona’s I was thinking that thank goodness I was starving because it doesn’t look like this will be that great. Boy was I wrong! Both my husband and I kept exclaiming how flavorful the pizza was. My apologies, Buona for judging you. I love your pizza. 5 stars!

There is a decided lack of delicious NYC style pizza in the Scranton area. Sure, there are plenty of mediocre pizza joints, but nearly none that possess a person to visit more than once. Buona is an exception to this dispiriting trend.
We visited Buona after scouring the internet for suggestions. NEPA Pizza Blogger indicated that hope of tasty pizza resides in this most unassuming location.
Parking was no easy feat. I am nearly ashamed to admit that we HAD to park at The Steamtown Mall and then sneak over (through The Boscovs … which was punishment enough for our transgression, by the way). It was mid-​August and it must be emphasized that the temperature on the street was a blazing 95 degrees … and in Buona? About fifteen degrees hotter. You see, there is no air-​conditioning. And, this is hard to imagine, but it weirdly added to the overall experience. (Seriously, we will never forget it!)
Once we ordered our pizza, we moved toward the door, where the boiling breeze was a welcome change from the molten area next to the ovens. (How can the staff possibly tolerate this?!) Under three minutes later, we returned to the back of the store and bought three sodas from the cooler … to hold to our faces. That’s no joke!
We took turns playing Sopranos pinball … which was hysterically vulgar! There was a fantastic contrast of children waiting for pizza-​goodness and Tony Soprano shrieking violent threats. The best! (We literally played until the pizza arrived). (There are many other games available for your time-​killing pleasure. Very nice!)
Oh yeah, and the pizza. Fabulous! The crust has a phenomenal «toughness» and is exquisitely baked! The sauce has just the right amount of acid … and the cheese is plentiful and delicious. We were totally blown away by how truly tasty this pizza is! We will absolutely return.
Yes, the place is a bit old-​school … but, man, there is so much charm in that! And, sure, it does always feel «safe» per say (there was a lady with a court mandated ankle-​bracelet standing outside the door and shouting into her cell-​phone the entire time … again, I cannot make this stuff up!!!) … but with so much bad, bad pizza around every corner, it’s pretty much worth the «risk.»
This is grade «A» pizza in a town filled with «C» offerings. Pop-​in! You will not regret it!

Excellent NY style pizza. Perfect crust and sauce/​cheese. Reminds of me of my local pizzeria when i was a kid in Queens…

Absolutely best pizza in Scranton. I have been getting pizza here since I could chew food as a kid. The recipe and look has not changed which is a huge plus. This is the type of pizza where you don’t even have to ask for extra cheese, they make it perfect.

Hands down best pizza in Scranton! Over 45 years in business and straight from Italy!

Great Pizza when ever I come to Scranton I always get a pie

Brooklyn style Pizza at it’s finest. I have been getting pizza here for as long as I can remember and outside of the price NOTHING has changed. The same 2 guys are always there. They will box your pizza with a cigarette hanging from their mouths and you hear that 1980’s pac man machine in the back round. I think the fact that it doesn’t change is what makes it so cool. I’ve never had anything other than their pizza.

Again, i think NY style pizza is a total snoozefest, but this place is one of the best in Scranton. You can play Street Fighter 2 while you wait! TIGER UPPERCUT!!! Doesn’t hold up in a pizza box, eat in for the crunchy crust. SONIC BOOM! TIGER! TIGER! SONIC BOOM!

Big, greasy round pizza. Pretty good. Just get it to go. You’ll feel like you walked into a pizza place in 1975 when you go to Buona’s.

gotta do to the downtown one. awesome no fooling around pizza.

I used to go to Buona a lot when I was growing up and it was the standard in Scranton in the 60’s and 70’s. I wonder if it is still the same as it was. When calling ahead they would answer their phone «aaBwoooinna pizzza» the wait was always «ahhhhhtennnafivteenminutts»

If you like NY Style Pizza, This is the place to go.