Let’s be real—parents have opinions. We don’t just pick a playground; we rank them based on shade coverage, snack proximity, and whether there’s a rogue toddler-eating slide. We don’t just grab pizza; we debate the proper cheese-to-crust ratio like it’s a congressional hearing. And don’t even get us started on kid-friendly restaurants (where “kid-friendly” means they don’t glare at you when your toddler spills an entire cup of water again).
So, with all these highly specific, highly passionate parental preferences, it only made sense to create the Macaroni KID Family Favorite Awards—where real families decide the real best businesses and places in the Harrisburg & West Shore area. Forget awards for things like “Best Fine Dining” (because LOL, who has time for that?). These awards are all about the stuff that actually matters to parents: the best playground, the best rainy-day escape, the best place to get pizza when dinner planning has completely fallen apart.
That’s why we’re launching Family Favorite Friday Feature, a new series every Friday where we highlight the top businesses, attractions, and services in the Harrisburg & West Shore area—as chosen by YOU, our Macaroni KID readers! And in honor of National Pizza Day on February 9th, we’re kicking things off with the Best Pizza Edition!
Ah, pizza. The universal meal of exhausted parents, picky eaters, and spontaneous Friday night celebrations. It’s the answer to “What’s for dinner?” when the only thing you’ve prepped is a strong desire to not cook. And let's be honest—no matter how different we are as families, we can all agree on one thing: finding the best pizza is a mission worth taking seriously.
So grab a napkin (or don’t—live dangerously) and check out these local pizza joints that our readers swear by.
🥇 The Top Contenders for Harrisburg & West Shore’s Best Pizza
Palumbo’s Pizza (Mechanicsburg)
Classic, cheesy, and everything you need when you’re too tired to cook but don’t want to settle for fast food. Palumbo’s is the definition of a perfect slice—crispy crust, gooey cheese, and sauce that makes you want to order an extra pie just because.
📍 6500 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA
717-691-7642
Jigsy’s BrewPub & Restaurant (Enola) – Old Forge Style
If you haven’t had Old Forge-style pizza, do you even know pizza? (Kidding. Kind of.) This crispy, cheesy, square-cut masterpiece hails from Pennsylvania’s pizza capital, and Jigsy’s does it right. Bonus: They also have a brewpub, making this a win for parents everywhere.
📍 225 N Enola Rd, Enola, PA
717-732-7708
Sal’s Pizza (Mechanicsburg)
A neighborhood staple where the slices are big, the sauce is on point, and the only regret is not ordering extra. If you haven’t had a Sal’s slice yet, you’re probably new here. Don’t worry—your initiation starts now.
📍 304 N York St, Mechanicsburg, PA
717-796-9640
JoJo's Pizza & Pasta (Mechanicsburg)
Giant slices, family-friendly vibes, and a menu that keeps everyone happy. This spot is perfect for those nights when you want a full sit-down meal or when you just want to grab a quick slice before the kids start a hunger mutiny.
📍 107 W Main St, Mechanicsburg, PA
717-766-8292
Pizza Boy Brewing Co. (Enola)
Pizza + beer = parent paradise. Whether you’re there for a laid-back family dinner or a rare night out where you don’t have to share your food, Pizza Boy has you covered. Their pizza game is strong, and their beer selection is even stronger.
📍 2240 Millennium Way, Enola, PA
717-728-3839
Tag Your Favorite Pizza Place! 🍕
Look, we know this list barely scratches the surface. The Harrisburg & West Shore area is filled with amazing pizza joints, and we’re sure your favorite deserves some extra love. So if your go-to pizza spot isn’t on the list, tag them in the comments! Let’s give every great local pizzeria a little recognition and make sure no cheesy masterpiece goes unappreciated.
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
☃️ Love family-friendly events and sanity-saving parenting hacks? Don’t miss out on the winter fun and more—subscribe to our newsletter for the best local happenings in Harrisburg & West Shore, Hershey to Elizabethtown, or Lancaster! 🎉
We’ve got everything from snow-filled festivals to parenting tips (because let’s face it, we all need strategies for surviving winter cabin fever). And don’t forget to follow us on social media for daily updates, laughs, and maybe a meme or two to make you feel better about hiding that last mug of hot cocoa from the kids. ☕❄️🙈
Harrisburg & West Shore,
Hershey to Elizabethtown,
Lancaster Area
York Area
Speaking of survival tips, join our Facebook Group, Macaroni Village of South Central PA, a collaboration across several regions where we swap snow-day stories, share winter hacks, and collectively try to figure out how to wrestle kids into snow boots before the school delay turns into a snow day. It’s practically a miracle worthy of its own Hallmark movie! ❄️💬
