A Taste of Canton

A Taste of Canton

One Afternoon at Casto’s Pizza

By Joey Raines

CANTON, OHIO — On a typical afternoon in the heart of the city, Casto’s Pizza and Chicken is more than just a place to grab lunch or dinner. It is a rhythm of sizzling kitchens, sliding pizza boxes, and conversations shared over hot meals and good company.

Located at 912 12th Street NE in Canton, Ohio, Casto’s is a local favorite known for its generous portions, welcoming staff, and nonstop flow of carry-out and delivery orders. Just outside the restaurant, a road crew was at work on a patch of the street, machines humming and gravel shifting. They were not tearing up the whole road, just one corner of it, but it was enough to send a line of hungry construction workers into Casto’s looking for a break and something hot to eat.

Inside, Casto’s was in full swing. The kitchen buzzed with energy. Dough was tossed and pressed, sauce ladled thick into pans, chicken lowered into fryers, and phones rang steadily as orders came in. The staff moved quickly, expertly, keeping pace with both in-store customers and online orders placed through the restaurant’s website at www.castospizza.com. While they welcome walk-ins, Casto’s prefers that orders be placed through the website or mobile app to keep the rush moving smoothly.

A man stepped through the door, glanced at his phone, and walked straight to the pickup counter. “Online order for Matt,” he said. Within seconds, a staff member handed over a sealed bag with his pizza and wings inside. He nodded his thanks, turned, and was back out the door before the next person in line could blink. Fast, smooth, and right on time, just the way Casto’s aims to serve.

A family stood nearby, picking up a local legend known as the Bucket of Spaghetti and Meatballs. It was forty ounces of pasta, a dozen meatballs soaked in marinara, a scoop of cottage cheese, and four half-orders of garlic toast. The kids stared wide-eyed as the bag was handed over, their parents smiling at the value and quantity. “We’ll be eating this for days,” the father joked, while the mother added with a grin, “They’ll make it vanish by morning.”

At the counter nearby, a tall man leaned in with a confident grin. “What’s a guy gotta do to get a smile around here?” he asked. The young woman working the register gave him a playful look. “Just pay your bill and maybe leave a tip,” she replied, handing him his Meatball Sub, toasted and packed with meatballs, marinara, and melted provolone. The two shared a laugh before he headed out with a wink. She rolled her eyes but was still smiling as she turned to the next customer.

Then came the construction crew. Three of them walked in, one built like a truck, one tall and wiry, and one with a big belly and a bigger appetite. The round one ordered first. “Eight-piece chicken with Jojo potatoes and a large three-topping pizza. Sausage, mushrooms, and extra cheese.” His buddy raised a brow. “That’s a whole buffet.” “Better to be full than look like you’ll blow away in the wind,” he replied, patting his stomach. The skinny one finally laughed and said, “Fine, add some wings to mine.”

The group stepped aside, teasing each other as they waited. Meanwhile, the smells of garlic, cheese, and hot oil filled the air. The kitchen kept moving. Staff handed out menus to newcomers, confirmed online orders, and rang up customers with practiced ease.

The young woman at the register was still tossing clever remarks at regulars, and the vibe remained light. There were no strangers inside Casto’s, just people stopping by for something familiar, something good. Some were in and out in minutes. Others lingered, chatting and waiting. But all left satisfied.

Casto’s Pizza and Chicken is open for both lunch and dinner, beginning at 10:30 a.m. most days. Whether it is a bucket of spaghetti, a meatball sub, fried chicken, or a large pizza piled high, there is something for everyone. Orders are best placed through www.castospizza.com or the mobile app, where the full menu is available with easy options for carry-out or delivery.

By the time the family left with their pasta, the flirtatious customer had exited, and the construction crew picked up their feast, the line was already building again. The phones continued to ring. The ovens stayed hot. And the pace inside Casto’s never slowed. It moved with the people, the food, and the town around it.

In a city filled with choices, Casto’s remains a hometown original. Good food. Friendly faces. And a taste of Canton that keeps people coming back.

© 2025 Joey Raines. All rights reserved.