Closed Pittsburgh Pizzeria Announces Reopening

PITTSBURGH, PA — A revered Pittsburgh pizza place that has been shut down since June because its owner had medical issues has announced it is reopening.

Rockaway Pizzeria on South Braddock Avenue in Regent Square will begin making pies again on Sept. 26 at noon, owner Josh Sickels announced on the pizza place's Facebook page.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and well wishes while I was rehabbing my injury," Sickels said. "Here goes nothin’."

Sickels closed Roackaway temporarily on the advice of his doctor so he could focus on rehabilitating herniated discs at multiple levels in his spine.

Sickels opened the initial Rockaway Pizzeria in White Oak in 2017, initially focusing on classic New York-style pies. Over time, he blended influences from New Haven, Philadelphia, and modern American styles as the pizza’s New York City roots were kept.

In 2020, he expanded to a larger space, adding pan and specialty style pizzas.

Last year, he moved into the space once occupied by the Square Cafe on South Braddock Avenue.