Gen X’ers rejoiced last month when that big national chain whose name starts with “pizza” and ends with a word that rhymes with “nut” announced it was bringing back its long-running reading incentive program, which rewards reading goals with free pizza.
It’s supposed to be for pre-K to sixth graders.
“I’m gonna read those kids under the table,” definitely not someone under 12 tweeted. “No pizza left behind!”
Picking up Marco’s Pizza in the Brays Oaks District, I suddenly had a flashback moment to another perfect pizza partnership.
Remember going in to pick a movie at the video store on Friday night, hoping the new release you wanted to see was on the shelf, only to find empty cases — then, cue angels singing, you found it in the return bin?
Well, if you were getting the movie around 2013 or so, depending on your location, you might have been standing in a Family Video that also housed a Marco’s Pizza franchise.
Pizza never tastes better than when it’s free because you read a bunch of books, or when it’s combined with the latest blockbuster.
The partnership ended after Family Video shut down all its stores in 2021, but—guess who’s still standing? That’s right, Marco’s Pizza.
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States.
Founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, the company has grown to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states.
Marco’s entered 2026 with a continued focus on growth, targeting 80+ new store openings, expansion into new territories, and continued development across domestic and international markets.
If you plug in “Marco’s” into your search engine, you’re going to find many choices for locations in the Houston area.
For no reason whatsoever (#BraysOaksDistrict), we are partial to the location at 9611 Hillcroft Av, Houston, TX 77096.
And so are others, apparently, as one reviewer wrote:
“I absolutely love this location because it’s right up the street, and they say Hi every time you walk through the door. Also, if you order frequently as I do, then use your rewards/coupons because you get more.”
“Happy to have a nearby Marco’s Pizza store, fresh, unique taste, great ingredients,” wrote another.
On a recent evening, Marco’s was hopping with to-go orders, including our three-pizza order of two original-crust medium pizzas and a thin-crust (my favorite) with extra tomatoes.
The menu also includes subs, wings, CheezyBread, CinnaSquares, pizza bowls and Ghirardelli brownies.
We decided to go healthy and added two salads — a Garden salad and a Greek salad.
It was the perfect family feast. We even ended up with leftovers, which we heated in the oven when a neighbor stopped by the next day.
“I love Marco’s,” she said, a Houston native. “I haven’t had it in a long time.”
Then her son made an appearance.
Well, let’s say — as the competitive book reading pizza lover said — “no pizza was left behind.” And, we’re looking forward to a Marco’s Pizza party soon.
Maybe we’ll see which neighbor can sell the most magazines to get a free party, just like in the old days.
Marco’s Pizza
9611 Hillcroft Ave.
Houston, TX 77096
346.333.2555
Menu: marcos.com
— Dorothy Puch Lillig
