This Florida Spot Serves A Pizza Cone Stuffed With Pasta, And It’s As Ridiculous As It Sounds
Jacksonville has always been home to creative eats, but Tony D’s New York Pizza & Restaurant just took things to an absolutely wild new level. Their Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone is exactly what it sounds like: half a pizza rolled into a cone shape and stuffed with pasta, creating the ultimate carb-loaded mashup that nobody asked for but everyone secretly needs. Located on Point Meadows Drive, this laid-back Italian joint has been serving up authentic New York-style pies for years, but this new creation proves they’re not afraid to get a little ridiculous with their menu.
1. The Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone Is Peak Comfort Food Chaos
Tony D’s didn’t hold back when they created this beast. The Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone takes half a pizza, rolls it into a cone, and stuffs it with your choice of pasta because apparently choosing between two of the best carbs on earth was causing too much stress for diners. It’s messy, it’s massive, and it’s completely over the top in the best possible way.
The cone itself is made from their signature New York-style pizza dough, which regulars already know is thin, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. Once rolled and baked into cone form, it becomes a handheld vessel for whatever pasta your heart desires. The cheese melts down into every crevice, creating stringy, gooey pulls with every bite.
This isn’t just a gimmick either. The flavors actually work together beautifully, with the tangy pizza sauce complementing classic marinara or Alfredo on the pasta. It’s comfort food taken to an extreme level, and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what Florida dining is all about.
You’ll find this creation available during their lunch and dinner hours, which run from 11 AM to 3 PM most days. They’re closed Mondays, so plan accordingly if you’re making a special trip just for this ridiculous masterpiece.
2. A New York-Style Foundation With Florida Flair
Before Tony D’s went wild with pizza cones, they built their reputation on authentic New York-style pies that Jacksonville natives swear by. With a solid 4.5-star rating from nearly 2,000 reviews, this isn’t some fly-by-night operation experimenting for Instagram likes. They’ve been perfecting their craft for years, earning loyal customers who visit semi-weekly just for their classic pizzas.
The foundation of any good pizza cone starts with quality dough, and Tony D’s has that down to a science. Their crust strikes that perfect balance between crispy and chewy, with just enough structure to hold up when rolled into cone form. The sauce has that classic New York tang without being overly sweet, and they don’t skimp on the cheese.
Multiple reviewers have called it the best New York-style pizza in Jacksonville, with one transplant from NYC giving it high marks for coming close to the real deal. That’s high praise considering how particular New Yorkers are about their pizza. The dining room even features NYC photos on the walls, creating an atmosphere that transports you straight to a Brooklyn pizzeria.
This solid foundation makes their experimental Mount Vesuvius creation actually work rather than falling flat as a pure novelty item.
3. Pasta Options That Actually Make Sense In A Cone
The genius of the Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone isn’t just the cone itself but the pasta options that fill it. Tony D’s offers their full pasta menu as potential fillings, which means you can customize this creation to match your exact cravings. Ziti works particularly well because the tube shape nestles perfectly into the cone without creating awkward gaps or falling out immediately.
Spaghetti is another popular choice, though it requires a bit more fork work to keep everything contained. The long strands tangle together with the melted cheese, creating that classic Italian-American experience in handheld form. Some brave souls have even requested fettuccine Alfredo, turning the whole thing into a creamy, indulgent mess that somehow still works.
The restaurant’s regular pasta dishes have gotten solid reviews over the years, with customers praising the quality of their sauces and generous portions. That same attention to detail carries over to the pizza cone fillings. They’re not using subpar ingredients just because it’s a novelty item.
One thing to note: reviewers have mentioned the gluten-free pasta options are hit or miss, with the spaghetti being much better than the ziti. If you have dietary restrictions, stick with the regular spaghetti for the best experience in your cone.
4. The Cheese Pull That Breaks The Internet
Anyone who’s ever posted food photos knows that the cheese pull is everything, and the Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone delivers on this front spectacularly. The combination of pizza cheese on the cone exterior and pasta cheese on the interior creates multiple opportunities for those Instagram-worthy stretchy pulls that food lovers live for.
Tony D’s uses quality mozzarella that melts beautifully without becoming greasy or separating. Regular customers consistently mention the perfect cheese-to-everything-else ratio on their standard pizzas, and that same balance applies to the cone creation. You’re getting substantial cheese coverage without it overwhelming the other flavors or making everything too heavy.
The way the cheese interacts with both the pizza dough and the pasta creates interesting textural contrasts. The exterior cheese gets slightly crispy where it touches the cone’s edges, while the interior stays gooey and melted from the hot pasta. It’s a cheese lover’s dream scenario that justifies the ridiculousness of the whole concept.
When you bite into one of these cones, expect cheese to stretch from your mouth back to the cone in those satisfying strings that make everyone at nearby tables jealous. Just maybe keep extra napkins handy because this is definitely a messy eating experience.
5. Complimentary Garlic Knots Set The Stage
Before you even get to the main event, Tony D’s starts you off right with complimentary garlic knots that nearly every reviewer raves about. These aren’t an afterthought or some sad breadsticks thrown on the table. Multiple customers have called them some of the best garlic knots they’ve ever had, which is significant praise in a state full of Italian restaurants.
The knots arrive warm and garlicky without being overpowering or drowning in butter. They strike that perfect balance where you can taste the garlic clearly but it doesn’t completely coat your mouth before your main dish arrives. The texture is soft but not doughy, with just enough chew to feel substantial.
Smart diners use these garlic knots as a preview of what’s coming with the Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone. Since the cone is made from the same dough, you’re essentially getting a taste test before committing to the full ridiculous experience. If you love the garlic knots, you’ll definitely appreciate the cone’s pizza dough component.
They come with marinara sauce for dipping, which also gives you a preview of the sauce quality you’ll encounter in your pasta-stuffed pizza cone. It’s this attention to the small details that separates Tony D’s from places just trying to create viral menu items.
6. The Appetizer Game Is Strong Here
While the Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone is the star attraction, Tony D’s offers appetizers that are worth ordering even if you’re planning to tackle that massive cone. Their Sweet Chili Calamari gets mentioned repeatedly in reviews, with customers praising the super crisp texture and perfectly fried preparation. The calamari stays crunchy even after being tossed in the sweet sauce, which is harder to achieve than it sounds.
The restaurant also serves lobster bites and rice balls that customers rave about. These aren’t just standard frozen appetizers reheated in a microwave. The kitchen clearly puts effort into their starters, creating dishes that could stand alone as reasons to visit even without the crazy pizza cone.
Buffalo wings and BBQ wings both get high marks from reviewers who know their wing game. One customer specifically called the BBQ wings cooked and tossed to perfection, which is notable in a city with plenty of wing options. The wings come with that satisfying crispy skin that doesn’t get soggy from the sauce.
If you’re visiting with a group, starting with a few appetizers before tackling the Mount Vesuvius makes sense. You’ll want to pace yourself because that cone is filling, but the appetizers are too good to skip entirely.
7. The Location Makes It Easy To Visit
Tony D’s sits on Point Meadows Drive in Jacksonville’s Southside area, making it accessible for locals and visitors exploring the city. The location isn’t some hard-to-find hole in the wall that requires insider knowledge to discover. It’s in a straightforward shopping area with plenty of parking, which matters when you’re planning a special trip for pizza cones stuffed with pasta.
The dining room itself is spacious and comfortable, with booth seating that works well for families or groups wanting to share multiple dishes. The atmosphere leans casual and laid-back, decorated with New York City photographs that reinforce their authentic pizza credentials. It’s the kind of place where you can show up in shorts and a t-shirt without feeling underdressed.
They offer both dine-in and takeout options, though the Mount Vesuvius Pizza Cone is definitely better enjoyed fresh and hot rather than transported. The cone format doesn’t travel quite as well as a regular pizza, and you’ll want to experience that cheese pull while it’s still perfectly melted.
Their hours are somewhat limited, operating from 11 AM to 3 PM most days with Sunday hours starting at noon. They’re closed Mondays, which is common for independent restaurants giving their staff a break. Call ahead at 904-538-0555 if you want to confirm they’re serving the pizza cones that day.
8. Service That Matches The Quality
Creating ridiculous menu items is one thing, but Tony D’s backs it up with service that keeps customers coming back. Multiple reviewers specifically name their servers and praise the friendly, attentive approach that makes dining there genuinely pleasant. Piper gets mentioned by name, along with other staff members who clearly know how to make customers feel welcome.
The service stays consistent even when the restaurant is packed, which apparently happens frequently. One reviewer mentioned waiting 45 minutes for a table because the place was so crowded, but noted the wait was worth it and the staff remained polite and mannered despite the chaos. That kind of composure under pressure is rare.
Servers are knowledgeable about the menu and can guide you through decisions like which pasta works best in the pizza cone or how to order your regular pizza crispy if that’s your preference. They’re not just order-takers but actually helpful in navigating the extensive menu options.
The front desk staff also gets praise for being extremely kind and knowing the menu thoroughly. When you’re ordering something as unusual as a pizza cone stuffed with pasta, having staff who can answer questions and make recommendations makes the whole experience better. They understand that part of the fun is the interaction and the shared excitement over trying something this ridiculous.
