Erie's 2025 FOOD FIGHT!
A battle royale between fiercely defended local fare
People in Erie can get real serious when it comes to defending their favorite haunts. Opinions hold the weight of facts in this town when it comes to local fare — be it donuts, beer, chocolates or, for the purposes of this feature, wings, pizza, and burgers.
We thought it would be fun to pit Erie Reader staff member opinions against one another and let the situation devolve into a good, old fashioned food fight. We based the contending dishes on the winners and runners up of their respective Best of Erie categories and had some fun chowing down on some tasty grub and arguing about it. As most games should be, this is mainly for fun and we'll let you, the reader, decide who's right. The real winners are all the local businesses that get a spot in the ring and hopefully some of your support! Let's get ready to rumble!
Chicken Wings
Odis 12 vs. Park Tavern
This food fight goes down between Contributing Writer Jonathan Burdick representing the winner of 2024's Best of Erie's Best Wings Odis 12 and Managing Editor Erin Phillips representing the runner up Park Tavern. 3, 2, 1… FIGHT!
Odis 12 (3702 W. 12th St.)
In their two decades of operation, Odis 12 has become an Erie institution. Peak Odis is when you go with a group, everybody orders different flavors, and the sharing ensues. When I go solo though, I'm a bit more traditional. I absolutely cannot resist their spin on the buffalo wing: the Trinity. It's a mouthwatering combination of buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and cajun smothered with parmesan, making for a crisp and flavorful symphony of deliciousness. I'd argue with anyone that Erie has the best wings in the country and it is Odis 12's consistency, creativity, and quality that make them a yearly contender for that top wing spot.
Park Tavern (4205 E. Lake Rd.)
Park Tavern has been a fixture in their Lawrence Park neighborhood since 1978. Serving generations of GE employees, locals, and visitors alike, absolutely no one leaves without feeling like they just had the best wings of their life. Infinitely customizable, I strongly recommend the Herbie Cajuns, crispy (the wings take a trip to the broiler after frying) and sloppy (but options exist for varying levels of slop, spice, and crisp). Flavorful, just the right amount of heat, saucy but not gelatinous. And the vibe of the Tav gives traditional Erie corner bar in the best way — completely without pretension or any sense of fanciness. Go ahead and get unapologetically messy, all up in those big ass wings.
Pizza
John's Wildwood Pizza vs. ippa Pizza Napoletana
This food fight goes down between Copy Editor Matt Swanseger representing the winner of 2024's Best of Erie's Best Pizza John's Wildwood Pizza and Local Government Correspondent Alana Sabol representing the runner up ippa Pizza Napoletana. 3, 2, 1… FIGHT!
John's Wildwood Pizza (105 Erie St., Edinboro // 6008 Knowledge Pkwy)
John's Wildwood Pizza has nurtured me back to life more times than I can count. More often not from the dregs of college hangover (although it has), but from the doldrums of the day-to-day. The installation of John's within the Erie Brewing Company's Knowledge Park location (aka Pub & Pie) has been a godsend since blossoming into proper adulthood, back pain and mortgage payment and all (its opening perfectly coincided with my thirties and resettling near my alma mater of Penn State Behrend). There's little mystery to its annual conquest of the Best of Erie Best Pizza category — a John's slice is beautifully balanced, with a sturdy enough base to support the requisite toppings (for me, it often includes the time-honored combination of sausage and roasted red peppers) without sacrificing the pliability you might find in a NY-style pie. The sauce contributes exactly what it's supposed to — natural tomato sweetness and tang with undertones of oregano and garlic. The crisp, gently charred crust readily unfurls to reveal a tender interior with a delightful chew. To scrap it almost seems a shame.
ippa Pizza Napoletana (in the Flagship City Food Hall, 22 N. Park Row)
Naples, Italy is the one place in the world where I could easily eat an entire pizza by myself. ippa Pizza Napoletana is a close second. I have been frequenting ippa since they were a food truck. Now, they have their own brick and mortar, still firing up pies that give a Neapolitan pizza experience without the plane ticket. The four base pizzas are simple, allowing the milled tomato sauce, handmade mozzarella, and blistered thin crust to take center stage. My chosen base is the ippa, which is essentially a margarita pizza dressed up with cream sauce and basil pesto. I added mild sausage for protein. What kept me coming back for more, slice after slice, is ippa's dough. With a thin and chewy texture, it is very digestible, a coveted element in authentic Neapolitan pizza. I felt satisfied without falling into a food coma, leaving plenty of room for gelato.
Burger
Bro Man's Sammiches vs. Bar Rōnin
This food fight goes down between Contributing Editor Nick Warren representing the winner of 2024's Best of Erie's Best Burger Bro Man's Sammiches and Media Editor Jessica Hunter representing the runner up Bar Rōnin. 3, 2, 1… FIGHT!
Bro Man's Sammiches (8228 Peach St. // 2614 Glenwood Park Ave.)
It's easy to fall in love with Bro Man's, even if you're not a Raiders fan. Now with two locations in Erie, Stephen Stanbro's menu of mouth-watering decadence is becoming a can't-miss local staple. For me it's all about the smash burgers. The way their edges crisp and crunch adds a texture I love, one that contrasts with the sauces and melted cheeses. I was all set to order the Sooner, one of their flagship burgers that even graced our March 2023 Reader cover. Then I saw a limited-time special called the "Johnny Blaze." As if I wasn't taken enough with the Ghost Rider reference, this monster is a double smash burger with ghost pepper Reaper cheese, Bro Man's signature BTP burger sauce, fresh cut jalapenos, lettuce, and tomato. I'm a heat seeker, so for me, this is pretty much a dream burger, that could right walk right onto the set of Hot Ones. Fear it, because that Reaper heat is one that stays with you. I genuinely hope that some form of the Johnny Blaze appears on the menu again because I would reorder it in one sweaty heartbeat.
Bar Rōnin (948 W. Erie Plaza Dr.)
Bar Rōnin is one of my absolute favorite local spots. I find myself coming back often with friends and family celebrating life together in their elegant yet casual space. Their Lucy Burger is all about balance — simple ingredients executed with precision. A rich, buttery pretzel bun holds a perfectly seared short rib patty, layered with high-quality double smoked cheddar that melts just right. The finishing touches are caramelized onions and Bar Rōnin's signature Lucy sauce, adding a smooth, savory kick that ties it all together. It's a burger that doesn't need gimmicks — just great ingredients and expert technique. Bar Rōnin knows how to elevate the classics!
