Second Helpings: Local Pizza

The weekly Chronicle feature "Second Helpings" offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Chronicle Cuisines writer Greg Beets from an original publication date of 4/28/00. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.

Aljons

1945 E. Oltorf, 447-2306

Mon-Sat, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm

It may take a little longer to get your pie at this unassuming neighborhood gem, but the chewy, well-bubbled crust and spiced-right Roma tomato sauce makes skipping the factory-style chains a worthwhile endeavor. In addition to pizza, Aljons serves lasagna, ravioli, manicotti, and a fine selection of subs on Italian bread. The bigger-than-life calzones are another menu highlight.

Brick Oven

1608 W. 38th, 453-4330

Tue-Fri, 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Sat, 5-10pm; Sun, 5-9pm

1209 Red River, 477-7006

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 5-9pm

11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., 335-5445

Mon-Thu, 11:30am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, 11:30am-8pm

10710 Research, 345-6181

Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm

Though some people prefer their pizza with a thick, chewy crust, Brick Oven's thin, crisp crust is a tasty change of pace that won't leave you feeling bloated with dough. The Pizza Margherita with mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, fresh garlic, and basil leaves is a flavorful standout. Brick Oven also serves other Italian specialties such as lasagna, calzones, and a fine shrimp fettuccine.

Austin Pizza Garden

6266 Hwy. 290 W., 891-9980

Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm

Located in an historic 100-year-old building in Oak Hill, the Austin Pizza Garden serves a wide variety of pizzas on thin white crust along with lasagna, calzones, sandwiches, and even muffalettas. The pizzas with traditional toppings are good bets, but some of the more adventurous pies (such as the Texas T-Bone Pizza) are hit-and-miss. Order a $4.25 8-inch single-serving pizza along with a 99-cent salad, and Austin Pizza Garden will throw in free iced tea at lunch.

Frank & Angie's

508 West, 472-3534

Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun 5-10pm

Run by the proprietors of Hut's Hamburgers, Frank & Angie's offers good New York-style pizza whole or by the slice at very affordable prices. Any place that names a specialty pizza after film-score genius Ennio Morricone is okay in my book. Cilantro pesto and veggie meatballs are two of the more unorthodox toppings offered here. Bargain-minded couples will love the 2-for-1 dinner specials offered Sunday through Tuesday from 6-10pm.

Saccone's

13812 Research Blvd., 257-1200

Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm, Sun 3-9pm

2701 Hwy. 183, Leander, 259-1882

Wed-Mon, 11am-9pm (closed Tue)

Saccone's motto is "Pizza With a Jersey Attitude." While it's hard to muster up Jersey attitude in a restaurant full of little leaguers screaming for more video-game quarters, Saccone's many varieties of thin-crust pies (whole or by the slice) do a good job of putting you in the right frame of mind. Saccone's also serves 1-inch-thick, Sicilian-style pizza cut into squares. Pasta, calzones, stromboli, and subs round out the menu. And both locations now serve beer and wine.

Milto's

2909 Guadalupe, 476-1021

Mon-Thu, 11am-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun, noon-10:30pm

Milto's is a longtime UT-area institution serving both Italian and Greek specialties. The Greek salad with excellent house dressing comes with a chewy roll made out of pizza dough and coated with spices. It's a wonderful prelude to their thick, chewy pizza with plenty of tomato sauce. Milto's Alfredo Artichoke Pizza and lasagna are two of the restaurant's standout Italian dishes.

Reale's

13450 Research, 335-5115

Mon-Thu, 11am-9:30pm; Fri, 11am-11pm; Sat, noon-10pm

The drive up Research may be tedious, but Reale's is much closer than the East Coast pizzerias they accurately approximate. On the way you can decide whether to go for the big, bubbly crusted 16-inch pie, which gets a little wet in the middle, or to stick with the 14-incher, which stays crisp all the way across. It's a tough choice. You sacrifice the big bubbles with the 14-incher, but the crust stays perfect.

Pizza Nizza

1608 Barton Springs Rd., 474-7470

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri, 11am-11pm; Sat, noon-11pm; Sun, noon-10pm

Opened in 1990 by former Whole Foods Market partner Mark Stiles and his wife Sylvie, this restaurant near Zilker Park serves pastas, salads, and pizzas in an artfully funky décor that takes a lot more from Milan than Sicily. In addition to choosing from a wide variety of toppings, Pizza Nizza diners can choose from a range of pizza sauces as well. The pineapple pizza is a good bet on hot summer days after a dip in Barton Springs.

Marye's Gourmet Pizza

3663 Bee Caves Rd., 327-5222

Mon-Sat, 11am-9pm

Marye's does a brisk lunch business with a special that includes a 7-inch pizza of the day, garden salad, and iced tea. The pizza of the day may be a conventional Margherita pizza or something really wild like "the Que," an olive-oil-glazed crust with barbecued chicken, red onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and smoked Gouda. Each is prepared on a perforated, thin, crispy crust with abundant cornmeal dusted on the bottom. Marye's also serves a wide selection of sandwiches and calzones.