First Posted: 4/25/2015
PITTSTON TWP. — In 2014, Savo’s Pizza and Family Restaurant celebrated the business’ 50th anniversary since it was founded by Ray and the late Mike Savokinas Sr. In 2015, Savo’s hit another milestone when the restaurant was inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame on March 20.
PMQ Pizza Magazine, the pizza industry’s business publication, established the Pizza Hall of Fame in 2005. According to their website, the Hall celebrates the oldest and most successful pizzerias across the United States. The criteria for selection are the business has to be mainly a pizza establishment, must have been business 50 years or more, and must be considered an industry landmark in their area.
“Being admitted into the Pizza Hall of Fame is a great achievement and a great testament to my father and my Uncle Ray and the vision they had to get us where we are today,” said Mickey Savokinas. “It’s a great accomplishment.”
Mickey’s dad is the late Mike Savokinas, who passed away on September 20, 2013. Ever since then, Mickey has taken over the reins at Savo’s along with his mom, Georgia.
Savo’s opened on Main Street in downtown Pittston on April 20, 1964 before moving to the Pittston Plaza when the Plaza had an addition to the facility erected in the 1970s. Years later, the addition was knocked down and Savo’s took up residence in their current location near Planet Fitness in the shopping center that is now called Pittston Commons.
Mike Savokinas had a dream to decorate the restaurant to commemorate the year of establishment in 1964 memorabilia. It took many years of collecting the artifacts.
He took it one step further by recreating the front of the current location to the exact dimensions as the former location on Main Street, Pittston. Even the counter, stools and booths were recreated.
The interior of the restaurant is the labor of love, noting the beginnings and legacy of Savo’s that is on display for all to see.
Since Mickey took over, Savo’s has opened a second location in Scranton.
To learn more about the business, go to the Pizza Hall of Fame website at pizzahalloffame.com/savos-pizza-family-restaurant/.
