Second Helpings: Slices of Life
Erin Mosow establishes the facts about local pizza establishments in this week's "Second Helpings."
Fri., Aug. 2, 2002
Milano Pizza
1025 W. Stassney, 440-0866Monday-Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-midnight; Sunday, noon-11pm
Even though they've changed locations, Milano is still a South Austin favorite, serving up delicious pizza whole or by the slice along with pasta, hot subs, and more. Their no-nonsense pies on thin, crispy crust keep converts coming back for more. Delivery is available in a limited area.
Domenick's Pizzeria
414 E. Sixth, 477-5877Daily, 6pm-3am
After the clubs close, follow the trail of cheap white paper plates that litter Sixth Street to Domenick's for a hearty and rejuvenating slice of pepperoni pizza with several shakes of garlic salt, red pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Domenick's pizza tastes especially good after walking from a hot, sweaty club into a cold winter night. Regardless of the season, it sure beats sitting in the drive-through for 45 minutes.
Roppolo's
316 E. Sixth, 476-1490Daily, 11am-3am
Roppolo's offers a variety of pies with tasty whole-wheat crust and thick, hearty sauce at their downtown location. Whether you're a vegetarian or a carnivore, they really know how to pile on the toppings. One slice of sausage and pepperoni is a meal in itself.
Austin's Pizza
Various locationsThis scrappy upstart takes aim at the big delivery chains by offering large four-topping pizzas for $9.99 and unlimited toppings for $12.99. You won't need to worry about drinks because all pizzas come with a two-liter bottle of soda pop. Better yet, your fourth pizza is free when you buy three.
Gumby's
2222 Rio Grande Ste. D-102, 472-3278Sunday-Wednesday, 11am-2am; Thursday, 11am-3am; Friday, 11am-3:30am
www.gumbyspizza.com What would college life be without pizza in the wee hours? With late, late delivery hours, budget-minded prices, and an eraser for a mascot, Gumby's is the quintessential collegiate pizza dealer. Stick to the established toppings like pepperoni, onions, and mushrooms and you'll do fine. You can probably find a better pizza, but who will bring it to your drunken, sustenance-craving lips until 3:30 in the morning?
DoubleDave's
Various locationsA longtime destination for college dorm refugees on Sunday night, DoubleDave's serves up slightly better-than-average pizza and lots of it. However, the real prize-winner at DoubleDave's is their exquisite Peproni Rolls. Get 'em while they're hot, and grab a bowl of ranch from the otherwise-unremarkable salad bar for dipping. The buffet is one of the better deals in town, and they have a renowned selection of beers from around the globe.
Mangia
3500-B Guadalupe, 302-5200Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10:30pm; Sunday, noon-10pm
8012 Mesa, 349-2126
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10:30pm
2401 Lake Austin Blvd., 478-6600
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10:30pm
Regardless of whether you're an aficionado of thin or stuffed crust, Mangia has your number. Their thin-crust pizza is perfectly light and crunchy, while the heartier stuffed-crust pizza is built like a topless pie. Mangia's garlic-happy sauce packs a robust punch, and their toppings include several less-than-obvious choices, such as feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. All three locations serve a $5.95 lunch special that includes lasagna or 6-inch pizza of the day and a small Caesar salad.
Conan's
603 W. 29th, 478-57122018 W. Stassney, 441-6754
2438 W. Anderson, 459-3221
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 11am-1am
Their deep-dish, whole-wheat crust and chunky sauce offers Austin a taste of Chicago and requires the company of a pitcher of Shiner Bock. A meal-sized pan slice, salad, and refillable soft drink costs $4.39. The $5.50, all-you-can-eat buffet gives you all of the pizza, salad, and soda that your appetite can handle.
Cozzoli's
Highland Mall, 458-2167Monday-Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm
704 Congress, 480-8440
Sunday-Friday ,10am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm
Northcross Mall, 459-4595
Monday-Saturday, 11am-9pm;
Sunday, 11am-6pm
Cozzoli's specializes in the East Coast style of soft and gooey thin-crust pizza that tastes best when you're standing on a street corner. A bubble-crusted, one-topping slice of pepperoni will set you back about $2.50, but that and a small salad makes quite a hearty lunch. Cozzoli's also serves calzones, stromboli, pasta, and sub sandwiches.
