01
Best overall pick
Giovanni's Pizza of Minford
Minford • Classic Small-Town Pizzeria • Reliable Hometown Staple
Giovanni's Pizza in Minford serves classic, crowd-pleasing pies in a friendly small-town setting.[1]
Set right along OH-139, Giovanni's is the kind of place locals default to when they want familiar, cheesy pizza without leaving Minford.[1] The menu leans into tried-and-true topping combos and generous portions that work well for families or team dinners. If you want something straightforward and satisfying before making the drive toward Portsmouth, this is the first call to make.
02
Best pizza-and-bowling combo
Oddfellows
Downtown Portsmouth • Lively Bar-And-Bowling Pizzeria • Best For A Fun Night Out
Oddfellows in downtown Portsmouth pairs pizza-focused comfort food with a full bar and bowling lanes for an all-in-one night out.[2]
Located on 2nd Street in the heart of Portsmouth, Oddfellows feels more like a modern hangout than a traditional pizzeria, with games and drinks sharing the spotlight with the pies.[2] It is a natural choice when you want dinner to roll into a full evening—grab a pizza, settle in with friends, and then move straight to the lanes without changing venues. For visitors coming from Minford, it turns a simple pizza run into a destination outing.
03
Best classic carryout
Fred's Pizza Express
Portsmouth • No-Frills Carryout Pizza Shop • Best For Easy Takeout
Fred's Pizza Express in Portsmouth is a straightforward, no-frills shop known for its takeout-friendly pies.[3]
Fred's leans into the basics: familiar crust, plenty of cheese, and topping combinations that appeal to a broad crowd, all geared toward getting you in and out quickly.[3] Many locals treat it as their weeknight backup plan, calling in a couple of large pizzas to pick up on the way home. If you are staying near Portsmouth but driving in from Minford, it is an easy stop that lets you head straight back with hot boxes in the back seat.
04
Best family-chain option
Mr. Gatti's Pizza
Portsmouth • Family-Friendly Chain Pizzeria • Best For Families And Groups
Mr. Gatti's Pizza is a family-friendly chain spot in Portsmouth serving a wide range of pizzas and casual comfort food in a relaxed setting.[3]
This Mr. Gatti's location offers the familiarity of a national name, which can be reassuring if you are traveling through the area with kids or a large group.[3] Expect plenty of kid-approved topping combinations and a casual dining room where no one worries about noise or a bit of a mess. It is a practical choice when you want to feed a crowd from Minford without overthinking the menu or the budget.
05
Best build-your-own pies
Rapid Fired Pizza
Portsmouth • Fast-Casual Custom Pizza Spot • Best For Quick, Customized Meals
Rapid Fired Pizza in Portsmouth offers fast-casual, build-your-own pies baked in just a few minutes, ideal when you are short on time but picky about toppings.[3]
Here, the focus is on choice and speed: you move down the line picking sauces, cheeses, and toppings, then watch your individual pizza go into a high-heat oven and come out bubbling soon after.[3] It is especially handy for mixed groups driving in from Minford, since everyone can tailor their own combination instead of debating one or two large pies. The quick turnaround also makes it a smart pre-movie or between-errands stop when you are in Portsmouth on a tight schedule.