Since the opening of Ledo Restaurant in downtown College Park last month, some patrons have been very skeptical of its square-shaped, anti-corner-cutting style of pizza making.
“Some people might not like it,” said Mike Livobsky, a Ledo manager. “We’re kind of out there in terms of our pizza. It’s not traditional pizza, but it’s something unique. … There’s something identifiable about it.”
Many students are used to the doughy crust of Domino’s Pizza or the large New York-style slice, but aside from the pizza’s shape, students have noticed some differences in the pizza since Ledo’s move from University Boulevard in nearby Adelphi.
“The sauce is really sweet, and I like it,” said junior government and politics major Jennifer Harris, a longtime Ledo customer. “But the last time we had the pizza [since the move], it was like straight bread.”
Junior communication major Justin Geiser noticed similar differences in the pizza at the new location.
“Well, I like the Ledo’s at home. The one here is kind of different,” Geiser said. “The crust is thicker.”
When asked whether the restaurant had been experiencing struggles to adjust to the new kitchen, Livobsky said there have been no issues. He also said Ledo has seen an increase in business since the move.
“We are just sorting out all of the kinks with starting a new restaurant, but things are going well so far,” Livobsky said.
Geiser noted that while the Ledo cheese is “money,” he usually prefers Vito’s Pizzeria.
“I’ve had Ledo’s my whole life, so it was kind of nice to get a new pizza place … . [Vito’s has] got a real pizzeria taste. It’s not like the chain-style pizzas like Domino’s,” Geiser said. “I just like to get a big pepperoni pie. It’s pretty much amazing. Zero chance you will be hungry when you leave.”
Other students, such as senior government and politics major Alex Tax, think the pizza at Ledo is still served with the same flaky crust and is much better than its competition at Ratsie’s.
“I’ve had Ratsie’s — inebriated albeit, if that takes away from the experience,” Tax said. “Ledo’s is way better quality than the cookie-cutter pizzas that Ratsie’s shoots out for the local, Friday night drunks.”
The pizza recipe is not the only thing Ledo, founded 55 years ago by the Bell and Marcos families, took with it to its new location. The lights from the old dining area and some of the memorabilia that adorned the walls at the original restaurant have found a new home in the College Park location as well.
While Ratsie’s has been in the downtown area for much longer then Vito’s and Ledo, students continue to flock to Ledo over the other two locations well after the restaurant’s honeymoon period.
“I think because Ledo’s is kind of well known and pretty big in the area that Vito’s isn’t really on that level,” Geiser said.
“I had a Ledo’s in my hometown area,” Tax said, “and it was always a good place to meet and talk. The environment is welcoming and the pizza is fantastic.”
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