The pizza here comes with exactly two topping choices: pepperoni or peppers, hot or mild. That’s the whole list, and honestly, it feels confident.
The crust runs thick and Sicilian-style, loaded with cheese. The real star might be the pepperoni bun, piled with sauce, cheese, and peppers.
In a West Virginia town that proudly calls itself the pepperoni roll capital of the world, that’s a bold thing to be known for.
I like how this family-run spot keeps things short and a little stubborn. I believe a small menu usually means somebody cares a lot about the few things on it.
Old-timers still talk about pizzas once handed over in shirt boxes.
So where does a place like this sit, and what else comes out of that kitchen?
Two Toppings, Thick Crust, And Zero Apologies
Colasessano’s Pizza is a family-run restaurant in Fairmont, West Virginia, built around thick-crust pizza and pepperoni rolls. Hot subs, Italian dinners, and a healthy stack of appetizers fill out the rest of the menu.
The setting is casual, the kind of place where nobody needs to dress up for supper. You come for comfort food, not white tablecloths, and that suits the whole operation just fine.
What makes it stand out is how little it tries to be everything. The pizza topping list is famously short, and the pepperoni rolls carry as much weight as the pies.
That focus feels very North Central West Virginia to me. This corner of the state takes its pepperoni rolls seriously, and Colasessano’s Pizza leans right into that hometown pride.
I can’t imagine a better place to start than a kitchen that treats a humble roll like a headliner. It has a clear identity, and that’s refreshing in a world of thirty-page menus with something for everyone and nothing memorable.
Consider it a neighborhood table rather than a big tourist stop. Still, the food gives plenty of reasons to make the trip from farther away, especially if you grew up nearby.
Decades Of Fairmont Memories Baked Into One Little Kitchen
Fairmont holds a big claim on the pepperoni roll. The town is widely known as the pepperoni roll capital of the world, and a historical marker honoring the snack’s local roots went up in 2020.
That story traces back to Italian immigrants who came to North Central West Virginia for coal mining jobs. A roll baked around pepperoni made an easy lunch to carry underground, and the idea never left town.
Colasessano’s grew up inside that same food culture. The restaurant has reportedly served the community for around 75 years, though exact founding details are hard to pin down.
Longtime fans often remember an original location before the current one. Some recall pizzas handed over in shirt boxes, which might be the most wonderfully practical packaging story in the state.
Those memories matter here. For many local families, a pie from this kitchen is tied to Friday nights and family gatherings from years gone by.
Of course, any restaurant changes over the decades, and some old fans admit it isn’t quite the same. Even so, the name still means something in Fairmont, and some former residents reportedly make a point to stop in whenever they come home.
Sicilian-Style Pies That Skip The Topping Buffet
Two toppings. That’s the lineup, with pepperoni and peppers, offered hot or mild, as the choices for your pie.
The crust is thick and Sicilian in style, with a generous layer of cheese across the top. Folks who normally prefer thin, crackly pizza may be surprised, yet it often wins over even the thin-crust loyalists.
Peppers seem to be the move here. Plenty of fans suggest getting them on everything, and the hot version brings some welcome heat against all that cheese.
I like how the short list removes the guesswork. There’s no scrolling through forty options, just a simple decision between pepperoni, peppers, or both.
Plain cheese pizza is also available for anyone who keeps things simple. It makes an easy pick for kids or for sharing alongside a few appetizers on a family night.
Like any thick-crust pie, it’s hearty and built for real appetites. Pair a pizza with one of the loaded side salads, and you’ve got a full Fairmont supper without much effort.
Is it the pizza for everyone? Probably not, and that’s fine, because a style this distinct was never trying to copy the big chains anyway.
Pepperoni Buns Are The Reason Some Folks Drive Back Home
Mention pepperoni rolls in Fairmont and you’re talking about local heritage. At Colasessano’s Pizza, they’re the most talked-about item on the menu by a wide margin.
The pepperoni bun is the dressed-up version. It can come with sauce, cheese, and mixed peppers, turning a simple roll into a knife-and-fork meal.
There’s also an everything pepperoni roll for people who want the full works. A side of marinara for dipping makes a popular companion to either one.
Some fans have called it the best pepperoni roll they’ve ever eaten. One well-traveled admirer even ranked it above meals enjoyed around the world, which is quite a compliment for a roll.
Takeout is an easy option, and the rolls are baked fresh. That makes them handy for road trips, work lunches, or a quick snack on the drive home.
I believe every visitor to West Virginia should try a pepperoni roll in the town that claims the title. Grabbing one here feels like a tasty history lesson with a side of peppers, and few lessons go down this easily.
Stuffed Shells And Hot Peppers For The Pasta Crowd
Pizza may get top billing, but the Italian dinners deserve a look too. Stuffed shells and a stuffed hot pepper dinner both earn spots on the table here.
Dinners come with salad and bread, which makes them feel like a proper Sunday-style supper on a weeknight. Spaghetti also appears on the menu for anyone craving a classic plate.
Stuffed hot peppers are a regional treasure in this part of the state. Italian American cooking runs deep in North Central West Virginia, and dishes like this carry that heritage forward.
The salads earn their own mention. Side salads are known for being loaded, and the antipasto salad is a favorite for folks who want something hearty without a crust.
A grilled chicken salad rounds out the lighter choices on the menu. It’s a practical option when one person at the table wants pizza and another wants greens.
I like that the menu leaves room for different appetites. A family can order pizza, pasta, and salads in one stop without anyone settling for second best, and that’s a small miracle at most group dinners.
Grandma might even approve of the shells. Maybe.
Hoagies, Zing Wings, And A Sandwich Called The Spider
Where else can you order something called a spider sandwich? The name alone earns it a spot on any first-visit order, if only for bragging rights.
The hoagie lineup runs deep, with an Italian deli, a steak and cheese, and a chicken parm sandwich. Hot subs are a big part of what this kitchen has long been known for.
Wings join the party, including the zing wings. Several diners have called the wings a pleasant surprise, so they’re worth adding if your group likes to snack.
Appetizers cover plenty of ground. Bruschetta, buffalo chicken dip, and a sampler plate with mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, and fried pickles all appear on the list.
Fries come on the side, and cheese sticks are another option for sharing. They’re easy add-ons when a pizza alone won’t satisfy a hungry crowd after a long day.
Picky eaters get covered too, thanks to a kids menu that includes chicken tenders. Between the subs, wings, and starters, there’s plenty for folks who just aren’t in a pizza mood, though the pepperoni rolls will still be calling from the next table.
Room For The Whole Family, Plus A Few Extra Cousins
Big group coming along? The dining room has ample seating, and the staff has made room for parties as large as nine.
The space is known for being clean, restrooms included. That counts for a lot when you’re bringing kids or grandparents out for supper.
Decor changes with the seasons, and the room gets dressed up for Christmas. A festive setting makes a December pizza night feel a little more special for everyone at the table.
The vibe is casual and local. Colasessano’s Pizza is reportedly very popular with the hometown community, so expect a neighborhood feel rather than a tourist scene.
I believe it suits families, work crews grabbing dinner, and former Fairmont residents chasing a taste of home. Travelers passing through West Virginia on business can find a relaxed meal here too.
Service is generally friendly, though the pace can vary from night to night. A little patience goes a long way at any small, family-run spot where the same folks often wear several hats.
Bring the cousins, bring the grandkids, and bring an appetite for peppers. The tables can handle it, and the pepperoni buns definitely can.
Plan Around The Afternoon Ovens And Skip Sundays
Afternoon is when the ovens get rolling. Colasessano’s Pizza opens at 2 p.m. and closes at 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Sundays are a day off, so don’t plan an after-church pizza run. Early weekday dinners are a smart choice if you prefer an easygoing pace.
You’ll find the restaurant at 141 Middletown Cir, Fairmont, WV 26554. It sits behind the Middletown Commons shopping area in Whitehall, just outside the heart of Fairmont.
That location makes it simple to fold supper into an afternoon of errands. Shop first, then reward yourself with a pepperoni bun before heading home.
Prices are generally considered reasonable, which matters for families and anyone stretching a fixed income. One tip worth knowing: card payments may carry an extra charge of about 3 percent.
Takeout works nicely for pepperoni rolls, which come out of the oven fresh. Grab a few for the road, and your car will smell like a Fairmont bakery for the rest of the trip.
Arriving close to closing time? Give yourself a little cushion, since a slower night can mean the kitchen starts wrapping up early.
A Small-Menu Legend That Still Feels Like Home
Short menus usually tell you something. At Colasessano’s Pizza, they say this kitchen knows exactly what it wants to be.
The thick, cheesy pizza won’t please every crust purist, and it doesn’t try to. The pepperoni buns, though, make a strong case for a stop in the town that calls itself the pepperoni roll capital.
Not every dish lands the same way for every diner. Stick with the signatures, add peppers, and you’re playing to the kitchen’s strengths.
I like that a place with decades of Fairmont memories is still feeding the neighborhood. In a state that treasures its hometown spots, that kind of staying power deserves a little applause.
Families will find room to spread out, and history buffs can connect a meal to the region’s Italian immigrant story. Pepperoni roll fans get to taste a local favorite right where the snack has deep roots.
So is it worth a visit? If West Virginia comfort food and a bit of nostalgia sound good, I’d say pull up a chair.
Just remember the ovens rest on Sundays. Plan your pepperoni bun craving accordingly.
