This Tennessee Pizza Shop Gets Its Meats From New Jersey And Makes Everything The Old-School Way

The pepperoni on these pizzas rides in from New Jersey. So does the sausage, and so does the steak.

That’s a long trip for a topping, and I love the commitment behind it.

The dough gets made from scratch every day and never sees a freezer. The cheese arrives in blocks and gets cut by hand right in the kitchen.

Even the lettuce gets broken open fresh each morning instead of poured from a bag.

All of this happens inside a modest strip-mall shop in East Tennessee. It sits near a busy shopping center, where plenty of folks probably never expect a Jersey-style slice.

I appreciate a place that hides that much care behind such a plain front.

So what does old-school pizza taste like when someone refuses every shortcut? I’d start with a slice and find out.

Those Jersey Meats Travel Farther Than Most Vacationers

Most pizza shops grab toppings from the nearest supplier and call it a day. Metro Pizza takes a different route, and it’s a long one.

The finest pepperoni, sausage, and steak get carefully selected and delivered here from New Jersey.

That choice matters more than it sounds. Jersey has deep roots in Italian-American food, especially the kind piled onto pizzas and subs.

Bringing those meats south gives every pie a flavor link to the Northeast.

You’ll notice the payoff all over the menu. The pepperoni lands on slices and specialty pies.

The sausage shows up in hot subs, calzones, and even as a side simmered in red sauce.

Steak fans get their turn too. The Philly Steak and Cheese uses that Jersey-sourced beef, which feels fitting for a sandwich born just across the river from New Jersey.

Fittingly, there’s even a specialty pie called the New Jersey. It’s a fun nod to where the good stuff comes from.

If you only order one pizza here, that name makes a pretty convincing argument.

Good luck finding many Tennessee pizza counters that ship their meats this far just to get the taste right.

Scratch Dough And Hand-Cut Cheese Keep The Old Ways Alive

Frozen dough is easy. It’s also something this kitchen flatly refuses to use.

Every batch of dough gets made from scratch daily, then turned into crusts without ever being frozen.

The cheese gets the same stubborn treatment. Metro Pizza buys high-quality mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar and cuts it right on-site.

The goal is simple: no fillers sneaking onto your pie.

Sauce follows the same rules. The pizza sauce is made from scratch in-house.

The pasta sauce goes even further, starting with oven-baked vegetables cooked in 100 percent extra virgin olive oil, premium spices, and tomatoes.

Salads skip the shortcuts too. Fresh lettuce gets broken open in the kitchen each day.

You won’t find bagged, pre-cut vegetables loaded with preservatives here.

The shop proudly describes its passion for serving food in an old-school manner. It also says plainly that it isn’t a chain or a big corporation trading quality for profits.

I respect that kind of honesty. It’s a lot more work to do things this way.

But you can taste the difference when a kitchen treats basic ingredients like they actually matter.

An Italian Founder Started The Whole Delicious Story

Every good pizza shop needs an origin story, and this one has a great name attached. Metro Pizza was founded by an Italian man named Salvatore Boccia.

He brought his knowledge of Italian food to America and shared it through this restaurant.

The shop has been around for more than 25 years now. That’s a serious run in a business where restaurants come and go fast.

Local reporting also ties Sal to a former Knoxville spot called Roman’s Pizza. That shop’s original owner reportedly went on to open Metro.

For longtime area pizza fans, that’s a fun piece of the puzzle.

The current owners didn’t toss out the playbook either. They’re said to have kept the original traditions going.

That explains why scratch dough and hand-cut cheese still rule the kitchen.

I love when a place carries a founder’s habits forward instead of modernizing them away. It feels like a family recipe kept safe by people who understood its value.

So when you bite into a slice, you’re tasting decades of the same stubborn standards. Sal would probably approve of that.

Grab A Slice And Pretend You’re On The East Coast

Thin crust, big slices, and a fold-it-in-half kind of style. That’s the vibe here, and it leans strongly toward New York and Jersey pizza traditions.

Pizza by the slice is a big deal at Metro Pizza. You can pick from Cheese, Veggie, Meat, or Combo.

It’s a smart move when you want lunch fast without committing to a whole pie.

Feeding a crowd? Whole pizzas come in 12-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch sizes.

That 18-inch option could make you very popular at the next family gathering.

The specialty lineup keeps things interesting. Choices include Margherita, New Jersey, Hawaiian, Viva Vegetable, Meatropolitan, White, and the gloriously named Kitchen Sink.

Meat lovers will likely gravitate toward the Meatropolitan, especially with those Jersey-sourced toppings. Veggie fans have Viva Vegetable, which sounds like it’s throwing a party in your honor.

Here’s a handy tip for crust lovers. You can ask for your pizza well done if you like extra crunch.

It’s an old East Coast trick that helps a thin slice stand up straighter.

Top it with Parmesan or red pepper flakes from the shakers, and you’re set.

Calzones, Strombolis, And Subs Deserve Equal Attention

Pizza gets top billing, but skipping the rest of the menu would be a real mistake. The calzones and strombolis come in Meatropolitan, Viva Vegetable, and Combination Kitchen Sink versions.

Think of them as your favorite pizzas folded into handheld form. They’re perfect for anyone who likes their toppings tucked safely inside a golden crust.

Then there’s the hot sub lineup, which reads like an Italian deli dream. Options include Chicken Parmigiana, Grilled Chicken, Eggplant Parmigiana, Italian Sausage, and Meatball Parmigiana.

A few subs travel beyond Italy for inspiration. The Philly Steak and Cheese brings that East Coast classic to Tennessee.

The Chicago Italian Beef represents the Midwest with pride.

Can’t decide between pizza and a sandwich? The Pizza Sub solves that problem neatly.

It’s basically a compromise you can hold with both hands.

Calzones are a popular pick here, and it’s easy to see why. They pack serious filling and feel like a meal built for a hungry afternoon.

I’d honestly have trouble choosing between a calzone and that Italian Sausage sub. Bringing a friend to split both seems like the only fair solution.

Baked Ziti And Lasagna Bring The Sunday Dinner Feeling

Some days call for a fork instead of a slice. Metro Pizza handles those moods with a pasta menu built on comfort.

Choices include Stuffed Shells, Cheese Ravioli, Classic Spaghetti, Cheese Manicotti, Baked Ziti, and Baked Lasagna. That’s a lineup straight out of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.

Remember that pasta sauce made with oven-baked vegetables and extra virgin olive oil? This is where it really shines.

It gives these classic dishes a homemade backbone.

The dinners round things out nicely. The Eggplant Parmigiana Dinner and Chicken Parmigiana Dinner arrive with a fresh garden salad and garlic bread.

That’s a full plate without much decision-making required.

Sides add even more ways to build your feast. Meatballs in Red Sauce and Italian Sausage in Red Sauce are hearty extras.

Garlic Bread, Cheese Bread, and Side Spaghetti fill in any gaps.

Salad fans can pick the Fresh Garden Salad or Scottie’s Chef Salad. Both benefit from lettuce prepped fresh every single day.

Save a little room if you can. Cannoli fans have been known to spot them at the counter, and a sweet finish never hurts.

Hand-Painted Walls Give This Strip-Mall Shop Real Personality

From the parking lot, it looks like a simple storefront. Inside, Italian-themed murals and hand-painted walls add a splash of charm you might not expect.

The atmosphere leans comfortable and cozy. It’s the kind of room where you can relax over a couple of slices without feeling rushed.

That relaxed feel makes Metro Pizza handy for all sorts of visits. Families can share a big pie together.

Solo diners can grab a quick lunch and a table without fuss.

Parmesan and red pepper shakers sit ready for customizing. Kids especially seem to enjoy sprinkling their own toppings, which adds a little fun to dinner.

Outdoor seating offers another option on pleasant Tennessee days. Fresh air and a hot slice make a pretty great pairing.

The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, which makes visiting easier for everyone. No reservation is needed, so you can simply show up when the craving hits.

I appreciate a pizza shop that doesn’t try too hard to look trendy. The murals bring personality, the food brings the flavor, and nobody needs fancy lighting to enjoy a good calzone.

Finding It Is Easier Than Picking Your Toppings

Shopping errands just got a lot tastier. Metro Pizza sits at 1084 Hunters Crossing, Alcoa, TN 37701, in a strip mall near a busy shopping area.

That location makes it wonderfully convenient. You can knock out your weekly errands and reward yourself with a slice right after.

Few chores end that well.

Parking is available on-site, so you won’t be circling for a spot. That’s a small detail that feels big when you’re hungry.

Alcoa sits in Blount County, close to Maryville and a short drive from Knoxville. Visitors heading toward the Smoky Mountains area pass through this part of East Tennessee often.

That makes this shop a solid stop before or after a mountain adventure. A hearty calzone is a great way to fuel up for a long day outdoors.

Lunch hours can get busy, so calling ahead is a smart move. Online ordering works too, which saves time when your stomach is already growling.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the spot is easy to reach. Finding it takes less effort than deciding between the Kitchen Sink and the Meatropolitan.

Plan Your Visit Around These Handy Hours And Perks

Timing matters when pizza is on your mind. Metro Pizza opens Tuesday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM.

Weekends stretch a little later. Friday and Saturday hours run from 11 AM to 10 PM, which helps with late dinner plans.

Mark your calendar for the days off. The shop closes on Sundays and Mondays, so plan those cravings accordingly.

Nobody wants to show up hungry to a locked door.

Staying home tonight? Takeout is available, and customers can place orders online for pickup.

Online ordering makes the whole process simple, even for picky eaters who change their minds three times.

Credit cards are accepted, which keeps checkout quick. Gift cards are also offered, and they make a thoughtful present for any pizza lover in your life.

Honestly, a gift card here might beat another candle or coffee mug. Who wouldn’t want a free calzone loaded with Jersey sausage?

After more than 25 years, Metro Pizza still proves that doing things the old-school way pays off in Tennessee. Fresh dough, hand-cut cheese, and meats shipped from New Jersey make a pretty compelling reason to visit soon.