Lavanty's Pizza, Nicolinni's originator dies
The originator, Nicholas "Nick" Lavanty, of Lavanty's Pizza and, later, Nicolinni's Restaurant, has died.
The news was announced on the Nicolinni's Chophouse Facebook page on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Lavanty died on Sunday, surrounded by the love of his family, according to the post.
Both Lavanty's Pizza and Nicolinni's are noted to be synonymous with Youngstown's Brier Hill-style pizza, a pizza that features sauce, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and green peppers.
"His passion for food, family and community helped shape a legacy that continues today through two Nicolinni's locations lovingly carried on by his family," as stated in the post.
Lavanty and his wife, Patricia, began their entrepreneurial journey in the 1960s by selling pizzas out of their apartment, later growing to opening a full restaurant in the 1970s.
"Nick Lavanty's legacy lives on in the recipes he created, the businesses he built, the community he served and the family who loved him dearly. He will be remembered for his determination nd the unmistakable mark he left on Youngstown," the post states.
