Round pizza fans rejoice.
A western Pennsylvania favorite is coming to downtown Wheeling to help save you from your square pizza doldrums.
Keene Barnett is expanding his Biggy’s Pizza operation, based in Claysville, Pa., and opening a location at the site of the old Keg und Kraut on 16th Street.
An Ohio Valley native, Barnett grew up in Shadyside.
He admits while he enjoyed square pizza, like Carlini’s in his hometown, he never quite understood the obsession with it.
“I’ve had people tell me since I announced we were coming that they were excited to have round pizza,” Barnett said. “I grew up on Carlini’s, but also DeFelice and Domino’s and Papa John’s.”
One thing you’ll notice quickly about Biggy’s pizza is the size. It’s not just a catchy name.
Biggy’s pies come in four sizes, medium, large, and extra-large, plus the personal PUP pizzas.
The extra large though is truly extra. It’s a 20” pie that features 16 slices.
The large has 12 slices and the medium eight.
“Everything is bigger at Biggy’s,” said Jordan Barnett, Keene’s wife.
Passing the Torch
Keene Barnett actually purchased Biggy’s original location in 2017 from Jordan’s brother-in-law.
He helped double the sales in the first year and grew quite a following.
Now he’s enacting the next phase of his plans, expansion.
Wheeling is the second of what Barnett hopes is, at maximum, 4-5 locations for Biggy’s pizza.
He doesn’t want to franchise or grow too big. He knows the importance of the consistency of the product.
“We use the same sauce, the same dough, the same ingredients at each store,” Barnett said. “The same Biggy’s pizza you get in Claysville will look and taste the same as the one in Wheeling.
“That consistency of product is key. People want to know the quality they are buying.”
Customers can start enjoying that product consistency Friday at 11 a.m. for Biggy’s soft opening. The official grand opening is slated for Monday at 11 a.m.
Barnett plans to be open until 10 p.m. nightly, with an 11 p.m. closing time on weekends. For now.
The facility is in process of obtaining a full liquor license as the main dining area has a small bar for patrons to sit at.
Budweiser, Bud Light, and most likely Yuengling will be served on top so patrons can enjoy a drink with their food.
Two big-screen televisions will also adorn the walls in the dining room to catch the game while dining.
Barnett did mention the possibility of staying open later on the weekends once the liquor license is obtained.
What food offerings will be available after the kitchen closes is still being ironed out.
Pictured are Biggy’s 20-inch XL size pizzas, each with 16 slices. 
This is the restaurant’s signature Biggy sandwich. The Biggy is a medium-sized pizza crust, half baked, the covered in toppings, folded over and then finished baking.
Speaking of the Menu
While Biggy’s is well-known for its pizza, that’s far from its only offering.
Barnett’s eatery offer hoagies, oven-baked wings in multiple flavors, calzones and Strombolis, salads, even an apple pie dessert pizza.
He also serves a unique item referred to simply as the ‘Biggy.’
It’s described as a pizza pie crust, baked halfway, covered with hoagie-style toppings, then folded over and finished baking.
In short, it’s a hoagie on pizza crust. But it’s always in demand.
Biggy’s Pizza also offers daily specials, some of which rival the $5 carryout prices of other area establishments.
Monday—One medium cheese and one topping pizza for $5 (pick-up only)
Tuesday—Any large specialty pizza for $16.99
Wednesday—One large cheese and one topping pizza for $8.99 (pick-up only)
Thursday—Two XL cheese and one topping pizzas for $36.49
Weekend Party Deal—Two XL cheese and one topping pizzas, one large order of breadsticks, and two 2-liters of soda for $42.99
Biggy’s menu is available online at its website or by visiting its Facebook page. For more information, call (304) 905-8192.
