Signal Akron’s recent readers’ poll crowned DeCheco’s Pizzeria as the city’s top pizza, a milestone for the family‑owned operation that began in a modest brick building at South Main Street and East Ralston Avenue.
From a Barber Shop to a Local Favorite
Shirley and Jack DeCheco opened a beauty salon and a barber shop in the late 1970s in the same structure that now houses the pizzeria. After Shirley suffered a broken ankle in the early 1990s, the couple converted the space into DeCheco’s Pizzeria, with Shirley perfecting a garlicky white‑pizza sauce and a slightly sweet focaccia‑style crust. Their son, Nathan DeCheco, now runs the business and says his mother’s recipes remain the core of every pie.
Winning the Readers’ Choice
DeCheco’s signature white pizza, once an unfamiliar offering in 1993, now accounts for roughly half of the shop’s sales. After two years as runner‑up, the pizza earned first‑place honors in the 2024 and 2025 Signal Akron “Best of the City” food categories. The award reflects the enduring popularity of the family’s simple, high‑quality ingredients.
Adapting Through Challenges
When the COVID‑19 pandemic forced restaurants to close, DeCheco’s shifted to a walk‑up window and carry‑out model, later expanding the former barber‑shop space into a larger kitchen in 2021. The pandemic‑era changes have remained in place, allowing the shop to serve customers from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Growth Plans Rooted in Family Values
Nathan DeCheco, now 38, aims to operate 50 family‑owned storefronts across Northeast Ohio by the time he turns 50. He has added a chief operating officer, Cory O’Connor, and retained longtime manager Nick Vozar at the original Firestone Park location. Although franchising would be easier, DeCheco insists on keeping each outlet family‑owned to preserve the quality and personal touch his mother established.
Current Locations and Future Openings
Today DeCheco’s operates six sites: Firestone Park (2075 S. Main St.), Ellet (1581 Canton Rd.), Fairlawn (2283 W. Market St.), Hudson (178 W. Streetsboro St.), Cuyahoga Falls (2926 State Rd.), and Munroe Falls (9 S. Main St.). Three additional locations are slated to open before the end of the year, and online ordering and delivery are available through dechecospizzeria.com.
Legacy of the Founder
Shirley DeCheco passed away in 2025 at age 73, but her presence remains evident as she is remembered visiting each store and planting flowers to keep the atmosphere welcoming. Nathan says he continues his mother’s tradition of lending a hand during busy weekend shifts, noting that making pizza helps him “shut my brain off” and focus on the craft.
DeCheco’s story highlights how a small, faith‑grounded family business can thrive by staying true to its roots while expanding to serve a broader community.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
