Main content starts here, tab to start navigating

Difference between Calzone and Pizza - Rosslyn’s Top Spots to try

a pizza sitting on top of a pan on a table

If Italian-American cuisine is your favorite, you’ve likely come across pizza and calzone on many menus. While they may both look like exquisite options at first glance, these two cheesy, doughy favorites are quite different. Ever wondered about their differences? Even though both dishes use dough and fillings like cheese, meat, and veggies, they’re incredibly tough to choose from. Despite their similarities, these delicious dishes each have their own unique characteristics.

Whether pizzas are your favorite or you are wondering if you should have a calzone, you can satisfy your cravings right here in Rosslyn at Manny & Olga’s! We offer a huge variety in both options — so why not try both? If you’re searching for the best calzone or pizza near you in Rosslyn, we’ve got your back with all flavors that will delight your taste buds.

Let’s dive into what makes each of these dishes special and why Manny & Olga’s is the perfect place to enjoy them.

The Basics: What Are Calzones and Pizzas All About?

Components and Methods

calzone by manny and olgas

Essentially a folded pizza, a calzone is made with pizza dough that encases various fillings. Typical ingredients include meats such as pepperoni, sausage, or ham, along with vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, and cheeses such as mozzarella and ricotta. The dough is folded over the ingredients to create a pocket full of cheesy goodness.

On the other hand, to make a pizza, the dough is rolled into a flat, circular shape, combined with sauces usually made from tomatoes. These are poured on top of layers of dough, along with cheese, vegetables, and many more toppings alike. After cooking at a high temperature, this signature dish is ready to go!

Common Fillings for Calzone

Traditional fillings include mozzarella, ricotta, and a slice of salty meat like ham or pepperoni. But there are countless options! At Manny & Olga’s, you can enjoy a calzone near you packed with extra cheese, Italian sausage, or even a veggie-filled option for a lighter meal. There’s a calzone for everyone!

Traditional Pizza Fillings

Pizza fillings often include different varieties of cheese as a base, ranging from mozzarella to cheddar, or parmesan and provolone. These are then combined with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers and much more. At Manny & Olga’s, we offer a variety of pizza options, including:

  • Olga’s Favorite Pizza: A classic combination that brings bold, flavorful cured beef together with freshly sliced tomatoes, onions, greens, feta cheese, and much more.

  • Hawaiian Pizza: A crowd favorite that brings together the savory flavors of ham, pineapple, bacon, mozzarella cheese, all in one place.

a pizza sitting on top of a wooden table


  • The Original Pizza: A classic option with a touch of fresh ingredients, now you can enjoy pepperoni and sausages with healthy and tasty mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and original sauce in your favorite slices.

  • Vegetarian pizza: A fantastic choice for those looking for a vegetarian option, packed with mushrooms, green and black olives, green peppers and extra cheese.

a pizza sitting on top of a wooden cutting board

Ready to enjoy the best pizza near you? Order now from Manny & Olga’s for pickup or delivery!

How to choose between Calzone and Pizza: What's the Key Difference?

Shape and Structure

The most obvious difference between both is their shape. A calzone starts with a round piece of pizza dough that’s folded in half over its ingredients, creating a semi-circular pocket. The edges are pinched to seal everything inside, making it a neat, compact meal.

A pizza, however, is a flat, round disk, loaded up with an abundance of toppings, creating a spiral of dough and ingredients. When sliced into individual pieces, the layers of cheese, meat, and other toppings are visible, giving the pizza it's signature look.

Ingredients and Fillings

While many of the ingredients overlap, the focus of each dish differs slightly:

  • Calzone typically emphasizes gooey cheeses, with ricotta as a standout ingredient, often combined with mozzarella and parmesan. Meats like sausage or pepperoni are common, but the creamy ricotta gives calzone its distinct texture.

  • Pizza focuses more on meats like salami, pepperoni, and ham, with cheeses like provolone or mozzarella. While you can add peppers, onions, or other veggies, the cured meats are the star of the pizza.

Texture and Flavor

If you enjoy a crispy, pocket-like crust with soft, gooey cheese inside, a calzone is your perfect match. But if you prefer a more layered, flavorful experience with strong cured meat flavors, a pizza might be more your style.

For those searching for the best pizza near you or a cheesy calzone near you, Manny & Olga’s offers both fresh ingredients and a variety of fillings to suit any craving.

Where to Find the Best Calzone and Pizza in Rosslyn

Manny & Olga’s in Rosslyn is the ultimate destination for both delicious calzone and pizza. Our calzone, packed with ham, pepperoni, and salami, is expertly folded with creamy mozzarella and ricotta. Imagine biting into a golden, crispy crust filled with melty cheese and your choice of veggies, sausage, or pepperoni—comfort food at its finest!

What sets Manny & Olga’s apart is our commitment to freshness and quality. We make our dough from scratch daily, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Whether you’re in the mood for a fulfilling and exotic pizza or a cheesy calzone near you, our genuine preparation methods guarantee a meal you won’t forget.

Not only is our food delicious, but our friendly staff and warm atmosphere make us a neighborhood favorite. Whether you’re dining in or ordering delivery, we’re always here to serve you the best calzone or pizza near you.

Manny and olgas serving the best pizza's and calzones in Rosslyn

Experience the Best Today!

Visit our website at www.mannyandolgas.com to place your order online, or stop by our location at 1641 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. Don’t miss out on our fantastic specials and join our rewards program to earn a free pizza!

At Manny & Olga's, we’ve been serving the freshest and most delicious pizza, calzone, and pizza to the community since 1994. We look forward to serving you!