Category | Arts & Living

New York-style state of mind: Giardino’s Pizzeria

Published on March 2, 2010 by Nigel Brett

In the world of pizza, many hands vie for a piece of the pie. A newly opened restaurant near KSU campus, Giardino’s Pizzeria, sets the standard for pizza as a college diet staple.

With more than 40 years of restaurant experience among them, and all hailing from the New York/New Jersey area, Dallas Prezzano, Jerry Berry and Mark Hoell   started Giardino’s with a simple goal-to make the best possible no-frills, New York-style pie.

The menu is filled with other Italian-American favorites such as stuffed pizza, calzones, New York-style sandwiches, homemade soups and the “Bolinator,” a 10-pound, 5-foot stromboli, ready to challenge the heartiest appetites.

Inside Giardino’s, the décor is simple, the atmosphere is comfortable and the restaurant itself is immaculate. A display case located near the pizza bar hosts many of the menu’s best items which are freshly made and ready to serve.

“A lot of people say their tomatoes are Italian, but our tomatoes are grown, packed and imported directly from Italy,” Berry said.

Tthe Giardino pies are also noted for their dough, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese.

“One of the best things about our stuff is the dough,” said Prezzano. “We make it fresh every morning. You will never find dough like this anywhere else.”

Walk into Giardino’s and hear customers enjoying the pizza and being fairly vocal about it. The atmosphere inside the restaurant has an authentic New York feel because of the banter that passes among the owners, the staff and the customers.

One of the best perks of the place is that KSU students receive a 15 percent discount on their meals if they display student IDs.

The bottom line: If you haven’t tried Giardino’s pizza yet, you’re missing out. You can find Prezzano, Berry and Hoell tossing dough at Giardino’s Pizzeria at 3930 George Busbee Parkway, at the intersection of Frey Road. Prices range from $2.25-$13.95. For info call: 770-419-7950