Spend your days in Buffalo craving a slice of pizza that reminds you of home without breaking the bank? Sick of greasy, tasteless pizza that ends up costing half a paycheck?
The Spectrum has identified Buffalo's top hidden haunts for pizza to grab on the go, or sit down and have a meal with friends.
Best Value: MY TOMATO PIE
A jewel of Buffalo, My Tomato Pie is one of Buffalo's hidden gems, featuring a menu of pizzas, calzones, original pizzas and their famous fried green tomatoes.
The Sciolis have won numerous awards for their original family recipes. A winner of the "Best Vegetarian Food" and the "Mayor's Award" in past years, My Tomato Pie is a favorite place for a quick lunch or romantic dinner.
My Tomato Pie features "Your Calzones" and "Your Tomato Pies," both build your own meal options, at inexpensive prices. Those looking for something simpler, however, can choose the personal pizza option, which costs students only $3.68.
Both vegetarian and vegan friendly, they offer a wide variety of calzones, pizza, sandwiches and other menu options for those with restricted diets.
Tucked away in the Northtown Plaza, My Tomato Pie is located at 3085 Sheridan Drive in Amherst. Open during the week from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Favorite Menu Item: the Hawaiian Calzone: pineapple, ham, tomato sauce, mozzarella and cheddar cheese calzones all for $8.59.
UB students can receive a 10 percent discount with their UB card.
Best College Environment and Late Night Eatery: SAL'S PIZZERIA
A Buffalo tradition for many University Heights residents, Sal's has become a late night favorite of partygoers and night crawlers. With a flourishing environment, this is a favorite hotspot for students.
Owner Walter Batista, originally a Brooklyn native, turned Sal's Pizzeria into one of Buffalo's fondest traditions with his New York City style slices and calzones, stromboli, rolls, garlic nuts and wings. With his motto, "consistency with every bite," Batista has established a very loyal customer base.
This local eatery has become more than a place to grab a quick bite for those who know it best. A sense of community is felt by all of Sal's patrons, they also reach into the district with traditions such as hanging Greek letters on the walls for local fraternities and sororities.
You don't have to be Greek to appreciate the environment at Sal's, though.
"This is the one place where you can start a conversation on Monday and on Wednesday, continue it," Batista said. "My biggest competition is myself, and I'm here to stay."
Sal's is open late every night, but stays open especially late on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, usually until 4 or 5 a.m. depending on the crowd. While affordable slices range from $1.25 to $2.50, Batista's food is in no way lacking in taste.
"All businesses are unique," Batista said. "No one has my sauce though, or my tender loving care."
Favorite Menu Item: Pizza by the slice, made ready to order right in from of you.
Sal's Pizzeria is located at 3171 Main Street in the University Heights district in Buffalo.
UB students can receive a discount when wearing Greek letters.
Best Restaurant Environment and Call to Order: BOB AND JOHN'S PIZZERIA
Open since 1972, Bob and John's Italian cuisine is a staple for both Amherst and Buffalo residents. Quick and easy delivery is available for both campuses, at very little cost (approximately $2 extra).
Ranging from plain cheese pizzas to chicken finger and fish fry cuisine, there isn't a menu item that won't excite your taste buds.
Dining in, Bob and John's also features an all you can eat pizza and salad bar at their Buffalo location, every week day from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for just $4.99. They also feature all the spaghetti you can eat on Mondays and Tuesdays 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. for just $2.25. This is one of the best value meals in town for students.
Favorite Menu Item: Personal eight inch pizzas for just $4.65 or the Original Blue Cheese Pizzas, a small for $9.25 or a large for $10.75.
With two locations, students can call to have pizza, subs, wings and Italian meals delivered to their doorstep from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Close to North and South Campus, stop in at 2071 Kensington Ave. (839-5535) or 1545 Hertel Avenue (836-5411).
