Rocco’s Pizza in Glen Burnie, Maryland is Still One of the Best Pizzerias After 30 Years

There are plenty of chain restaurants around that claim to sell affordable pizza with their specials. They also claim that their pizza is high quality, with top notch ingredients. In reality though chains will never match the true pizzeria pizza. That is what Rocco’s in Glen Burnie, MD serves. Maybe it’s the history of the restuarant, the stories you hear about your parents, and even grandparents going to the restaurant that contribute to the allure of a true pizzeria restaurant. Rocco’s has this as it has been around for over 30 years, and according to some people, close to 50 years in the same location in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Rocco’s in it’s location in a strip center in Glen Burnie, MD near the intersection of Ritchie Highway and Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard will never be confused with a large scale restaurant. There are only about eight tables in the restaurant. Then again, this is not a restaurant, it’s a pizzeria. Sure they sell subs and entrees, but in reality what Rocco’s does better than it’s competition is make quality pizza at a reasonable price.

Their pizza comes in three sizes, 12 inches, 16 inches, and 18 inches. No, they don’t have the 28 inch pizza that one of their local competitors has, yet then again they don’t have to. It’s not always about the size when it comes to a quality pizza, it’s about the value. You can get a single topping 16 inch pizza at Rocco’s for under $8 carry out. Not even pizza chains in the area can boast that type of price, especially when you consider the value based on the quality of the pizza.

Rocco’s does not have a lot of sauce on their pizza, but they don’t overpower the pizza with cheese either. Instead you get a nice solid layer of cheese on top, but it mixes enough with the sauce to allow the flavors to blend. The toppings are not the generic frozen mass produced ones you get at chain pizza places either. These are fresh, the pepperoni and sausage have a true spice to them. The mushrooms and vegetable toppings are clearly fresh and the ones that should be crisp are crisp. You don’t have to worry about them becoming soggy from the ice they were frozen in, because they are not frozen.

Service at Rocco’s might not quite seem like the authentic pizzeria that I remember it as in the 80’s when I was a kid and went with my dad. Yet it’s still fast and efficient. Your pizza is ready on average about 15-20 minutes after you order it. They have a television in the pizzeria if you want to watch while you wait for your order or you can visit some of the shops nearby and come back.

Overall Rocco’s Pizza in Glen Burnie, Maryland has that old pizzeria feel to it, even though it is toned down a little from my earlier memories of the pizzeria. They don’t load up their menu with lots of different items and tons of subs. You aren’t going to find appetizers like fried calmari and tandori chicken here. Then again though, why would you go to a pizzeria to get squid and middle eastern cuisine? You go to a pizzeria for pizza, and Rocco’s Pizza in Glen Burnie gives you what you want.