Adriatico’s

Those of you who have not been to Adriatico’s New York Style Pizzeria & Sports Bar may have heard of Adriatico’s Bearcat pizza, a rectangular pie the size of an elephant’s footprint. The old Adriatico’s was carryout and delivery only and for decades occupied a building on Jefferson Avenue that was barely big enough to contain the Bearcat. When they caved to popular demand for dine-in space and moved their ovens to a brand-new location on the south side of campus, they added tables to seat 75, appetizers, and “Sports Bar” to the name. And they have delivered. The huge windows slide open to let in a breeze, the selection of 40 beers on tap ranges from cheap ($2.75 tall boys of Bud Light) to excellent (Delirium Tremens and Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA), and they have seven televisions to provide excellent sports coverage without assaulting the eyeballs via an excess of pixels. A word to the wise: when Adriatico’s says “thin” crust, they mean regular-thickness crust, like any chain. Thick crust means sharpen-the-knife thick (a.k.a. Sicilian-style) crust. The tomato sauce has kick, the toppings are generous, and the crust is well-cooked—crisp bottom, tender crumb—no easy feat when it is as thick as a loofah. The wings are just meh, but the combo calzone (called a “Zoni”) is loaded with delectable salami, ham, onions, and two cheeses, and comes with garlic butter, cheese sauce, or marinara dipping sauce. It can easily feed two healthy adults. If there are more than two, and you’re planning to stay for the whole game, well then go ahead: Order the Bearcat.

Adriatico’s New York Style Pizzeria & Sports Bar
113 W. McMillan St.
(513) 281-4344

Originally published in the May 2012 issue.