Marcos Pizza

We’re New Yorkers that come through Pennsylvania once or twice a month. We always make sure we stop in at Marco’s cause it’s the closest thing to New York pizza in Pennsylvania. Great food, and great customer service. The young lady that works the front is always ready to help and very kind, and the chef is I was right there working hard making delicious food with a smile for customers

Food is good… a little pricey considering the area but nice restaurant with nice ppl.

Best pizza in town and the service is fast as well as friendly. We love the white broccoli and ricotta pizza.

I’ve lived near Marcos for over 20 years now. We could eat here all the time. Pizza, pasta and subs are all great. Owners are great people. It’s a genuine Italian family running the place. It’s the only place in town where you can get a 6 pack. Unfortunately you will pay for it. Pricing did hinder my full 5 stars. But highly recommend Marcos!

On a getaway to the Poconos to attend the annual Split Rock wine festival and stayed at a quaint little B&B in Jim Thorpe, I found this gem. the owners, Bill and Nancy, gave me great recommendations during my entire stay. While I thoroughly enjoyed all of the local eateries in Jim Thorpe, I had a hankering for brick oven pizza and there was not one available in the town. Nancy came to my rescue and informed me about this place, only a few miles up the road, that she and her sisters really liked to go to for their weekly book club.
I had no trouble finding the restaurant, as the front of the it was visible from the main drag (FYI, the main entrance is on Ridge Street, which, I am told, was once the thriving business district of the town).
The building was big and under construction at the time I was there. I learned from one of the owners, Sal, that they had recently purchased the abandoned hardware store that was previously next door on the corner, and that they had plans to turn it into a parking lot. I immediately thought this was a great business decision as I had parked on Ridge street next to the bank where I had to feed the meter.
As I walked in, I noticed the murals on the wall. I approached the counter to ask for a menu (as there was none on display), and first encountered Sal. He looked strikingly similar to one of the persons depicted on the mural on the right wall, so I had to ask if it was him. He responded enthusiastically that the mural was based on his favorite pilgrimage, when he and his brother Mario went back to Sicily to see his ancestors.
During our conversation, I noticed the brick oven. Sal informed me that the brick oven was built by his father, Marco, back in the early 1960s when he first came to Lansford. I could tell that Sal took pride in this.
So, naturally, I asked him what his favorite item on the menu was that he would cook in the brick oven. Garlic knots. I ordered them immediately. Then, after taking a look at the menu, I also ordered the pita pizza, as I had never had anything like this.
As I sat down to wait for my food, I saw several «colorful» locals who were drinking a beverage out of a milk-​like carton that I had never seen before. I finally worked up the gumption to speak to one of these locals and he informed me that it was a local brand of iced tea called «Guers» (sp?) and that it would be the best thing that ever happened to my mouth. I immediately grabbed one from one of the numerous stand up coolers.
I picked up the garlic knots (no servers) and brought them back to my table and opened the iced tea. It tasted like an excessively sweet Snapple, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could tell that the knots were cooked in the brick oven — crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Sal’s fresh garlic oil was the best I have ever tasted.
Next, came the pita pizza. Do you know what that is? Because I sure didn’t. It was a double layer pizza, crust on top and bottom. The middle was stuffed with various cold cuts, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil and vinegar. Unconventional, untraditional, but unique and fantastic.
After dinner, I wanted something sweet. An Italian ice would have been perfect, given the weather. Unfortunately, they did not have any dessert offerings. Sal, being genuinely helpful, suggested that I walk across the street to the local Turkey Hill to see if they have Luigi’s in the cooler. I was very appreciative. I always like to see business owners promoting other local establishments.
Even though there was construction going on, the place was impeccably clean. Despite the colorful locals, I would definitely come back to see Sal and Mario. Their enthusiasm, candor, and all around decorum sold me.
If you are in the small town of Lansford, you should stop by to experience this gem in the rough.
Bön Apetito!