Squisito Pizza & Pasta in Glen Burnie: Coal-Oven Neapolitan in Anne Arundel County

Squisito is a casual Neapolitan pizzeria in Glen Burnie that fires pies in a wood-burning coal oven, distinguishing it from the tavern-style and New York-influenced pizza more common across the Baltimore region. The restaurant operates as a full pasta and pizza joint with table service and takeout, drawing families and groups rather than positioning itself as a quick-grab counter operation.

What Squisito actually is

Squisito specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza, characterized by a softer, airier crust than New York pizza and typically topped with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. The coal oven reaches temperatures that bake pizzas in roughly 90 seconds, producing the charred leopard-spotting and slight char on the crust that defines the style. Beyond pizza, the restaurant runs a full pasta menu, reflecting the Italian dual focus. It sits in a straightforward storefront setting without the warehouse industrial aesthetic or craft-beer program that define some newer Baltimore-area pizza spots; the draw is the food itself rather than scene or beverage curation.

Menu, pricing, and what to order

Pizzas range from about $14 to $22 depending on size and topping count. A basic Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil) typically costs around $16 for a standard pie, while signature or loaded options push toward the higher end. Pastas run $12 to $18 and include standards like carbonara, bolognese, and seafood preparations. Appetizers and sides (burrata, calamari, garlic bread) fall in the $8 to $14 range. Pricing is consistent with casual-to-mid-range sit-down pizza in Anne Arundel County; it costs more than frozen or fast-casual options but less than high-end or avant-garde pizzerias in Baltimore proper. Call ahead to confirm current pricing, as menu adjustments happen seasonally.

How it compares to other Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel pizza options

Glen Burnie and the surrounding county lack a strong concentration of coal-oven or Neapolitan specialists. Squisito's coal oven and focus on Italian technique differentiate it from neighborhood pizza chains and the tavern-style pie available at casual bars. In the broader Baltimore metro, Squisito occupies middle ground between quick-service New York-style spots (like several locations of Looney's Tavern in Fells Point and Canton) and the pricier, more refined Neapolitan or Roman dining experiences downtown. If you want Neapolitan pizza without driving into the city, Squisito is the default choice in Glen Burnie; if you are willing to venture to Federal Hill or Harbor East, restaurants like Tagine or other upscale Italian venues offer more extensive wine programs and chef-driven preparation, at higher cost.

Who it suits and who it does not

Squisito works well for families with children, groups gathering for casual dinner, and people specifically seeking Neapolitan pizza without the formality of fine dining. The full pasta menu makes it a reasonable choice for diners who do not want pizza, lowering the risk of a narrow meal. It does not suit diners seeking high-end or experimental Italian cuisine, late-night bar seating, or those on a tight budget; at $16 to $22 per pizza, it is not cheap compared to chain alternatives. It is also not positioned as a solo-diner hang-out or a drinks-first venue.

What the first visit involves

Arrive and be seated; menus are provided and ordering happens at the table with a server. Expect to order appetizers or salads while waiting for pizza, since the coal oven is efficient but the kitchen moves at dining-pace rather than fast-casual speed. Pizzas arrive as they are ready, typically within 10 to 15 minutes of ordering. The restaurant is not self-service or counter-based; the experience is sit-down dining with busses and refills. Come early in the dinner window or make a reservation on weekends, as the space can reach capacity, especially Friday and Saturday evenings.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Squisito operates Tuesday through Sunday, typically opening for lunch around 11 a.m. and dinner service continuing to 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. or later on weekends; call to confirm exact hours, as restaurant schedules shift with season and staffing. Parking is available in the Glen Burnie shopping area where the restaurant is located, with standard lot access. The location is accessible by car from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and local Anne Arundel roads but not directly served by public transit, making it a destination for drivers rather than transit riders.

Squisito fills a specific gap in Anne Arundel County dining by offering Neapolitan technique and pizza craftsmanship in a casual family setting, without the price or scene-focused marketing that characterize urban Baltimore pizzerias.