RESTAURANT REVIEW: Bellacino's
Bellacino's - serves Italian pizzaz
James Fluhler - Restaurant Critic
Issue date: 2/6/03 Section: Entertainment
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Bellacino's Pizza and Grinders is a new Italian restaurant in Madison that opened for business the last week of November. The franchise, which is based out of Michigan, is new to our area. Although it is not what one would deep as a "classy" restaurant, the food and service is fantastic!
I went this past Friday for lunch with two of my good friends and we had a great time. As we entered the restaurant there was a shoulder high wall that helped you know where to go to order. Along the way was a dry erase board with the "specials of the day" posted on it along with the price.
We quickly made our way to the ordering counter, looked at the easy-to-read menu, and placed our orders. The person at the order desk was friendly and the process was simple and fast. The preparation and cooking area was open and clearly visible from the counter where we ordered. It appeared to be very neat and clean. Even the workers wore latex gloves as they prepared our food.
All of the food is made fresh (and no I don't just mean made when you order.) They bake their bread on site, and the sauces are made fresh each morning. The pizzas and grinders are made as each order is placed: you can even watch them, if you like).
The owner greeted us as we stepped up to the counter to order. He was busy preparing orders, along side his staff. I think that he was one of the nicest business owners that I have ever met. I simply introduced myself to him and he voluntarily came over and sat down to talk about his business and answer questions for the article.
When he reviewed our order ticket, to see what we had selected from the menu, he decided to give us (for free) their two main specialties. The two main items are Garlic Cheese Bread and Chicago Steak Grinder.
The Garlic Cheese Bread was very good. It was not greasy and the bread tasted fresh. The Chicago Steak Grinder was also very good. The term "grinder" comes from the original customer's occupations in the shipyards. The Chicago Steak Grinder is made with thinly sliced, lean rib eye steak, smothered with mushrooms, onions, cheese, and Bellacino's own garlic spread all on a wonderful roll. We voted this grinder to be the best sandwich we had ever had. It was not only hot and flavorful, but the quantity and size of the sandwich was more than ample. This grinder retails for only $5.39 and is a great value.
I went this past Friday for lunch with two of my good friends and we had a great time. As we entered the restaurant there was a shoulder high wall that helped you know where to go to order. Along the way was a dry erase board with the "specials of the day" posted on it along with the price.
We quickly made our way to the ordering counter, looked at the easy-to-read menu, and placed our orders. The person at the order desk was friendly and the process was simple and fast. The preparation and cooking area was open and clearly visible from the counter where we ordered. It appeared to be very neat and clean. Even the workers wore latex gloves as they prepared our food.
All of the food is made fresh (and no I don't just mean made when you order.) They bake their bread on site, and the sauces are made fresh each morning. The pizzas and grinders are made as each order is placed: you can even watch them, if you like).
The owner greeted us as we stepped up to the counter to order. He was busy preparing orders, along side his staff. I think that he was one of the nicest business owners that I have ever met. I simply introduced myself to him and he voluntarily came over and sat down to talk about his business and answer questions for the article.
When he reviewed our order ticket, to see what we had selected from the menu, he decided to give us (for free) their two main specialties. The two main items are Garlic Cheese Bread and Chicago Steak Grinder.
The Garlic Cheese Bread was very good. It was not greasy and the bread tasted fresh. The Chicago Steak Grinder was also very good. The term "grinder" comes from the original customer's occupations in the shipyards. The Chicago Steak Grinder is made with thinly sliced, lean rib eye steak, smothered with mushrooms, onions, cheese, and Bellacino's own garlic spread all on a wonderful roll. We voted this grinder to be the best sandwich we had ever had. It was not only hot and flavorful, but the quantity and size of the sandwich was more than ample. This grinder retails for only $5.39 and is a great value.