Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Reading, Ohio
A relaxed Reading pizzeria with a visible brick oven, hearty made-to-order pizza, friendly service and desserts worth saving room for.
Is Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Reading Worth Visiting?
Yes. During my visit, I found a relaxed neighborhood pizzeria with a visible brick oven, friendly service, hearty pizza and desserts worth saving room for.
My pepperoni, sausage and bacon pizza was the highlight, followed by a cannoli and a Hot Apple Pizza that I took home for later.
Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Reading is an easy stop if you are exploring the northern Cincinnati area, especially if you want to pair lunch or dinner with nearby murals in Reading’s Bridal District.
During my visit, I chose a table where I could watch pizzas going into the oven. That view made the meal more memorable and gave me a better sense of how the restaurant’s brick-oven style shapes the overall experience.
If you are planning a larger Cincinnati-area trip, use my Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio Weekend Guide to connect Strong’s with nearby attractions, murals, restaurants and unusual stops.
What Is Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Reading Like?
Strong’s Reading location has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with colorful décor, televisions and views of the brick oven from some tables.
It feels more like a neighborhood gathering place than a formal restaurant, making it suitable for a casual lunch, family dinner or an easy meal while exploring the Cincinnati area.
I chose a table where I could watch pizzas going into the oven. If you enjoy food photography or simply like seeing how your meal is prepared, ask whether a table with a view of the oven is available.
Strong’s describes its pizzas as made to order from scratch using Old-World Italian recipes and baked in authentic rotating brick ovens.
You can review the official Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria website for more information about the restaurant and its locations.
What Did I Order at Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria?
I ordered a pepperoni, sausage and bacon pizza, followed by a cannoli, and took a Hot Apple Pizza home for later.
Pepperoni, Sausage & Bacon Pizza
The crust was crisp and lightly charred around the outside while remaining tender inside, giving it enough structure to hold the generous toppings.
The sauce added a slight sweetness that balanced the saltiness and richness of the three meats.
This is a satisfying choice for anyone who prefers a hearty, meat-topped pizza. Watching it bake in the brick oven also made the experience more engaging—and provided a great opportunity for food photographs.
If you prefer one of Strong’s established specialty combinations, the current Reading menu also includes a Meat pizza topped with old-world red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, bacon and prosciutto.
What Desserts Should You Try at Strong’s?
Based on my visit, the cannoli and Hot Apple Pizza are both worth considering if you still have room after your pizza.
Strong’s Cannoli
I tried a classic cannoli with a crisp shell, sweet creamy filling and a drizzle of chocolate.
It was rich enough to feel indulgent without being too heavy after the meal.
The current Reading menu still lists Strong’s Cannoli with chocolate chip cannoli cream and a choice of raspberry, chocolate or caramel sauce.
Hot Apple Pizza
I also took an apple dessert pizza home. The combination of baked apple, caramel and a soft pizza-style crust made it especially good when warmed the following day.
If you are too full for dessert at the restaurant, this is an easy option to take with you and enjoy later.
Strong’s current Reading menu still lists the Hot Apple Pizza, made with freshly sliced apple, brown sugar, cinnamon crumb mix, whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
Check the current Strong’s Reading menu before visiting because menu items and prices can change.
Is Strong’s Good for Families and Casual Dining?
Yes. The Reading location is well suited to families, couples, small groups and anyone looking for a casual pizza meal.
The dining room is relaxed rather than formal, and the visible brick oven gives the restaurant a little extra personality.
The current menu also includes appetizers, salads, wings, kids meals, specialty pizzas, create-your-own pizzas, sandwiches and desserts.
The friendly staff was another part of what stood out during my visit. The atmosphere felt welcoming rather than transactional, which is one reason the meal felt more like a neighborhood experience than simply a quick pizza stop.
What Can You Do Near Strong’s in Reading?
Strong’s is easy to combine with a short mural walk through Reading’s Bridal District. That makes the restaurant especially useful if you want to turn lunch or dinner into a fuller Cincinnati-area outing.
Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Reading Quick Planning Guide
Strong’s currently lists its Reading location at 8794 Reading Road, with hours of 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and Monday closed.
Hours and menu selections can change, so confirm the latest information on the official Strong’s Reading location page before visiting.
Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria FAQ
Where is Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Reading?
The Reading location is at 8794 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.
What are Strong’s Reading hours?
As of September 30, 2026, Strong’s lists the Reading location as open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and closed Monday.
Does Strong’s have dessert pizza?
Yes. The current Reading menu includes Hot Apple Pizza as well as other dessert pizzas and sweets.
Does Strong’s have cannoli?
Yes. Strong’s Cannoli is currently listed on the Reading menu with chocolate chip cannoli cream and a choice of dessert sauce.
Can you order Strong’s pizza online?
Yes. Strong’s offers online ordering for the Reading location through its official website.
Is Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Worth Visiting?
Based on my visit, yes. Strong’s delivered what I look for in a memorable neighborhood restaurant: friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere, a visible brick oven and food that gave me a reason to linger.
The pepperoni, sausage and bacon pizza was the highlight of my meal, while the cannoli and take-home Hot Apple Pizza made it worth saving room for dessert.
The location also works particularly well if you enjoy building a meal into a larger outing. With the Love Blooms mural directly across the street and the UNO mural nearby, it is easy to combine pizza, photography and a little local history in one stop.
Next step: Check the current Reading menu before your visit, then decide whether you want to dine in near the brick oven or order ahead.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
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