As Restaurant Week Toledo kicks off, local pizzerias are claiming a bigger slice of the spotlight, with newcomers like Hindsight Pizza joining established favorites. The event, which draws attention to the Toledo dining scene while benefiting Leadership Toledo’s youth programs, has seen an increase in pizza participation this year.
Chris Hinds, 34, opened Hindsight Pizza in summer 2023 at 1734 W. Laskey Rd. After just one year in business, Hinds earned top honors in the People’s Choice Award category at northwest Ohio’s Pizza Palooza. Despite being the “new kid on the block,” Hinds didn’t expect to win but was thrilled by the opportunity to introduce his pizza to the community. “We just wanted people to know where Hindsight is and let them try our pizza,” he said.
Hindsight’s menu features creative pizzas, including the popular Korean chicken specialty pizza, a sweet-and-spicy option with grilled chicken, gochujang barbecue sauce, veggies, and spices. Other fan favorites include the loaded potato, Greek gyro, chicken alfredo, and jalapeno popper pizzas. Hinds is even experimenting with a potential crab rangoon pizza. The pizzeria offers a variety of crust styles—thin, hand-tossed, and Detroit-style—ensuring there’s something for everyone.
For Restaurant Week, Hindsight is offering a family deal for $29.99, featuring an XL pizza, cheese bread, and cinnamon twists. Additionally, customers can enjoy a one-topping XL pizza for $10 and 10 boneless wings for $6.99.
Hinds, who previously managed Sidelines Sports Eatery & Pub, also plans to expand. His shared kitchen concept, which includes the soon-to-open Smashin 419, a classic rock-themed burger joint, will allow him to grow further. “Obviously, it’s baby steps. I don’t want to rush into anything,” he said.
Hindsight joins Home Slice Pizza and Crust Pizzeria in Whitehouse as part of the 2025 Restaurant Week lineup. Mike Knight, owner of Home Slice, which has been in business since 2006, sees Restaurant Week as a way to attract new customers. This year, he’s offering new specialty pizzas and a dessert as part of his Restaurant Week menu.
Crust Pizzeria, an upscale, dine-in restaurant that opened in 2022, also returns to the event. Owner Marcy Fronk said it took time for locals to embrace the concept, but now people are discovering their tastes in Whitehouse. “Everything is pretty popular at the restaurant; everyone has a different palate,” Fronk said. Crust may expand this year to include more dining space and a broader menu.
For Fronk, Restaurant Week is an essential part of supporting the local restaurant industry. She and her husband, Tony, also own the Whitehouse Inn, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. “We definitely see the rewards of being involved in Restaurant Week Toledo,” she said.
Restaurant Week Toledo continues to be a vital platform for local businesses, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Leadership Toledo’s programs, which help cultivate leadership skills in Toledo’s youth and make the city an even more attractive place to live. As Knight aptly put it, “It’s a way to give back to the community and help drive Toledo forward.”
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