What's Cooking: Buzzi's Pizza to reopen; Mary Jane's Pizzeria moving; Young's Custard Stand closing

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
·4 min read

(What's Cooking is a twice-a-month look at the Beaver Valley dining and drinks scene.)

A Monaca pizza shop will expand, giving new life to a former Rochester pizza place.

Pappy J's, at 2000 Marshall Road, plans to re-open Buzzi’s Pizza Shop in downtown Rochester.

"Recipes and name will remain the same," Pappy J's ownership said in a July 19 Facebook announcement. "We will be looking for employees."

The grand re-opening date for Buzzi's Pizza Shop will be announced. Pappy J's will continue to operate at its current site, too.

"We will have two locations," owner Anthony Hall said. "Pappy J’s, which my fiancé Brianna and myself currently run, and Buzzi’s which I’m going to run and leave her to run Pappy J’s."

It was front-page news in October 2021 when the original Buzzi's closed after 50 years. The pizzeria's husband-wife co-owners, Francis "Buzzi" Graff and Tina Graff, both in their 70s, decided to retire.

Buzzi's Pizza, a local landmark, will reopen under new ownership.
Buzzi's Pizza, a local landmark, will reopen under new ownership.

Specializing in square pizza sold by the cut, Buzzi's opened in January 1972, then moved next door in 1997 to its more current location that's a gateway to the Brighton Avenue commerce district.

Hall said he felt it's important to keep both pizza places' names and recipes, "because it means a lot to a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. Some may miss the pizza, or some may remember going to these places when they were little. Some may even have had their first slice at these places. When The Times did the Pizza Madness competition, I read a lot of comments from people that said they wished Buzzi’s was still around, or they wish Buzzi’s would open back up and that’s how this came about. Yes, it will stay in the same location. Can’t take a Rochester staple out of Rochester."

Buzzi's will undertake a few minor changes "such as we will deliver, accept credit cards and have hand-tossed round pizza as well," Hall said.

The mushrooms and banana pepper pizza at Buzzi's, the popular Rochester pizzeria that closed last year. The shop is reopening under new ownership.
The mushrooms and banana pepper pizza at Buzzi's, the popular Rochester pizzeria that closed last year. The shop is reopening under new ownership.

A different Monaca pizzeria to move

This Saturday marks the final day of Mary Jane's Stone Baked Pizzeria operating at 215 Ninth St. in Monaca, three blocks from the Monaca-Rochester Bridge.

Mary Jane's Stone Baked Pizzeria will move to a new location, with details to be announced via social media.

"The building is being sold and I have to vacate the property," the owner said in a July 18 Facebook post. "I am still working on finalizing a new place, but I will have to be closed all of August and part of September, for sure."

The family-owned business makes its sauce and dough in-house daily, with pizzas baked in a stone oven.

Monaca outdoor dining offered

Comfortably Yummm in Monaca has added outdoor dining.

Comfortably Yumm in Monaca now offers outdoor seating.
Comfortably Yumm in Monaca now offers outdoor seating.

Customers can order a gourmet pirogi meal, chicken or steak salad, or anything else off Comfortably Yumm's menu then grab a seat at the wooden benches and tables in the fenced-in, landscaped yard at 1426 Pennsylvania Ave.

Outdoor seating is now offered at Comfortably Yummm.
Outdoor seating is now offered at Comfortably Yummm.

Young's Custard closing

Young's Custard Stand owners announced this will be the final season for the popular ice cream destination on Route 68 in New Sewickley Township. The owners said in a Facebook post they want to devote more time to their families.

A family-owned institution since 1948, Young's has drawn customers from coast to coast who enjoy frozen custard (black raspberry the favorite); hot fudge sundaes; banana splits and thick milkshakes.

Roy and Alma Young, opened the business, with the reins later handed to their son Paul W. “Windy” Young, who stayed in charge for 52 years until his death in 2020 at age 79. His children then took over ownership.

A young Keanu Reeves played an ice cream stand worker when filming took place at Young's for the 1988 film "The Prince of Pennsylvania."

Young's Custard Stand in New Sewickley Township serves sweet treats like these.
Young's Custard Stand in New Sewickley Township serves sweet treats like these.

Morning Rooster hopes to return in Midland

An occupancy permit request has been filed to reopen the Morning Rooster in Midland.

The popular breakfast diner and soul food spot, at 505 Midland Ave., has been closed for a few years.

It would be under new ownership, Midland Mayor Angela Poobie Adkins said.

The Morning Rooster might reopen in Midland.
The Morning Rooster might reopen in Midland.

Butcher & Son up for sale

The former Butcher & Son Public House gastropub in Aliquippa is up for sale.

A $665,000 asking price is listed at remax.com

Located at 814 Raccoon St. off the Aliquippa exit of Interstate 376, Butcher & Son closed in January after a three-year run. The owner cited rising food costs and a labor shortage.

Butcher & Son Public House in Aliquippa, like many local restaurants, relied on curbside, takeout and delivery orders to offset the reduction of sit-down customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Butcher & Son Public House in Aliquippa, like many local restaurants, relied on curbside, takeout and delivery orders to offset the reduction of sit-down customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott Tady is food and drinks/entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: What's Cooking: Buzzi's Pizza, Mary Jane's Pizzeria, Comfortably Yummm make news