Brick Oven Restaurant Credit: Photo By John Anderson

“Second Helpings” offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week’s entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here.

Aljon’s

1945 E. Oltorf, 851-8686 Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, noon-10pm
It might 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, Aljon’s serves lasagna, ravioli, manicotti, and a fine selection of subs on Italian bread. The bigger-than-life calzones are another highlight, and they’ve added country-style barbecue to the menu.

Austin Pizza Garden

6266 Hwy. 290 W., 891-9980 Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm
Located in a 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 or Lisa’s Favorite with Cajun spices, bell peppers, and avocado, are hit or miss. Order a $4.95 8-inch single-serving pizza along with a $1.49 salad, and Austin Pizza Garden will throw in free iced tea at lunch.

Brick Oven Restaurant

1209 Red River St., 477-7006 Monday-Thursday, 11am-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 5-9pm 10710 Research, 345-6181 Sunday-Thursday, 11am-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm 11200 Lakeline Mall Blvd., 335-5445 Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-9:30pm; Sunday, 11:30am-6pm
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.
Brick Oven Restaurant Credit: Photo By John Anderson

Brick Oven

1608 W. 35th, 453-4330 Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 5-9pm
The Brick Oven on 35th Street serves home-style, thin-crust pizzas with a personal touch. Most pizzas tend toward the traditional, with the notable exception of Chipotle Pesto Chicken Pizza. Fresh-baked bread and cool salads with every meal add inches at the waistline but make for a terrific pocketbook regime. The Brick Oven serves some of the best pizza in town.

Frank & Angie’s Pizzeria

508 West Ave., 472-3534 Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 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 OK in my book. Cilantro pesto and veggie meatballs are two of the more unorthodox toppings offered here. Bargain-minded couples will love the two-for-one dinner specials offered Monday and Tuesday from 6 to 10pm.

This article appears in July 25 • 2003.

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