Columbus is packed with incredible pizza, but some of the best slices in the city aren’t getting the attention they deserve. That’s exactly what brought us to Bazemore Pizza Co., a small but mighty pizza shop tucked away inside The Pointe Tavern in Upper Arlington. And let me tell you — this place is CRIMINALLY slept on.
Here’s why.
A Hidden Gem for Pizza Lovers
If you didn’t know Bazemore was here, you’d probably walk right past it. But step inside The Pointe Tavern, and you’ll find a tiny kitchen in the back, hiding behind curtains by the pool table, churning out some of the freshest, most thoughtfully crafted pies in the city. Everything at Bazemore is made from scratch: the crushed tomato sauce is beautifully dolloped on each pie, the dough is handcrafted, and even the sauces and dry rubs for their incredible wings are in-house recipes.
I got a behind-the-scenes look at their operation, and it’s wild what they’re able to do in such a small space. Fresh ingredients, attention to detail, and hard work — this is what great pizza is all about. And Bazemore proves that you don’t need a huge kitchen to make a damn good pie.
Dave Portnoy’s Visit & The Conveyor Belt Controversy
If you follow pizza reviews, you might already know that Dave Portnoy, the one-bite review guy himself, stopped by Bazemore Pizza Co. in December while he was in town for the Ohio State playoff game against Tennessee. He actually liked the pizza, but because they use a conveyor belt oven, he gave it a lower score than it deserved.
Now, I get that Portnoy has eaten a LOT of pizza and his reviews hold weight. But here’s where I respectfully disagree. Yes, conveyor belt ovens have a reputation for churning out mediocre pies, but not all conveyor ovens are built the same. Bazemore’s is top-of-the-line, and it’s expertly dialed in to cook their pizzas consistently, evenly, and deliciously.
And let’s be real for a second — great pizza is about great ingredients. Bazemore hand-prepares nearly everything, from the dough and sauce to their mushrooms, meatballs, tomatoes, and more. When your ingredients are this fresh, the oven type takes a backseat (unless, of course, your pies are coming out with raw dough, burnt crust, or are floppy as all get out, which Bazemore’s are certainly not).
To me, the fact that an expertly cooked, handcrafted pizza lost points just because of the oven is absolutely wild. But hey, different strokes for different folks.
More Than Just Pizza
While the pizza is the star of the show, don’t sleep on Bazemore’s other menu items. Their Italian Sub, Mozzarella Wedges, and Meatball Sub are all next-level. Pair your meal with a cold pint (or six) from The Pointe Tavern, which is a fantastic bar in its own right, and you’ve got yourself a perfect night out.
Final Thoughts
Bazemore Pizza Company is proof that some of the best food in Columbus is hiding in the most unexpected places. Fresh ingredients, serious attention to detail, and a love for the craft make this one of the city’s most underrated pizza spots.
So next time you’re craving a top-tier pie, forget what you think you know about conveyor belt ovens and give Bazemore a shot. Trust me — you won’t regret it.
📍 Bazemore Pizza Co. | 1991 Riverside Dr, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
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