Cicero Country Pizza’s Red Garlic Wings and Signature Sicilian Pie Keep This CNY Classic Alive
CICERO, NEW YORK — Some eateries have endured for decades by constantly adapting. Others survive because they know who they are and never stray too far from that. Cicero Country Pizza falls firmly into the second category.
Opened back in 1972, this unassuming spot along Brewerton Road doesn’t try to grab your attention. In fact, if you didn’t know what you were looking for, you could drive right by it. But step inside, and it quickly becomes clear why locals have kept coming back for more than 50 years.
Why It Stands Out
Cicero Country Pizza thrives on something that’s becoming rare — identity.
From the outside, it’s a simple, almost forgettable building. However, inside, it feels like a time capsule in the greatest manner conceivable. Wood-paneled walls, plush seats, and vintage décor provide an unmistakable old-school pizza restaurant atmosphere. It’s not trying to be modern — and that’s exactly the point.
What really sets this place apart, though, is how it does things differently while still staying familiar.
Take their Sicilian-style pizza. It breaks the rules. Instead of the traditional square shape, it is circular, with a thick, pillowy crust that tapers toward the center. It’s built like a New York-style pizza but with significantly more dough, creating something that feels unique without being gimmicky.
In a region packed with pizza spots, having your own style matters. And here, it works.
Must-Try Dish (POV)
Let’s be honest — the real reason to come here is the wings.
The red garlic wings are easily among the best I’ve had in Central New York.
They’re coated with a tomato-based sauce mixed with house wing sauce, which hits numerous notes at once: somewhat spicy, sweet, and garlicky. It’s not your typical Buffalo wing flavor, and that’s exactly why it stands out.
The wings themselves are large, juicy, and crispy—everything you desire. And the fact that the blue cheese is made in-house makes a noticeable difference. It’s rich, balanced, and actually complements the wings instead of just being an afterthought.
I didn’t even feel the need to order them extra saucy — there was already plenty of sauce to go around.
Then there’s the pizza.
The dough is made fresh daily, and you can taste it. It’s airy and chewy on the inside with just enough crispness on the outside to keep things balanced. It’s the kind of crust that feels like it’s more than just something to hold the toppings together.
If you’re deciding between items, my advice is simple: wings first, pizza second. Everything else comes after.
Atmosphere
Cicero Country Pizza doesn’t rely on ambiance — it relies on familiarity.
The dining room feels like something out of the ’80s or ’90s, in a way that’s more comforting than dated. IIt’s the type of place where you can sit in a booth, relax, and not think about anything else.
During my visit, it was quiet but clearly well-loved. Many of the people who come in appear to have been doing it for years, if not decades.
It’s not flashy. It’s not designed to impress.
But it feels real.
Community Buzz
In Central New York, Cicero Country Pizza has built a reputation that’s hard to ignore.
There are longstanding regulars who have been coming here for decades, those who grew up with it and return for nostalgia, and those who have only lately discovered it, frequently wondering how they missed out for so long.
What everyone seems to agree on is this: it’s a place that delivers.
Especially when it comes to wings.
Standing out in a region with high competition in that category is difficult. But Cicero Country Pizza manages to do it consistently.
Final Thoughts
Cicero Country Pizza isn’t trying to compete with trendy pizzerias or reinvent Italian-American classics.
It’s accomplishing something simpler—and possibly more significant.
It’s delivering food that people actually want to come back for.
For me, the red garlic wings alone are worth the trip. Add in a distinct pizza style and a nostalgic setting, and you’ve got a place that feels both timeless and truly fulfilling.
It may not look like much from the outside — but inside, it’s exactly what it needs to be.
Location: 8292 Brewerton Road, Cicero, NY
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
Price Range: Affordable to mid-range
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