Although it competes against solid Winston-Salem Italian restaurants like Elizabeth’s and Mario’s Pizza, Bambino’s Pizzeria holds its own ground. Conveniently located off of Peters Creek Parkway at Clemmonsville/Old Salisbury Road, it is a mere 10 minute drive from campus. Known for having the best New York Style pizza in town, it is definitely a hot spot for the locals and others who happen to stumble upon the restaurant. The environment is laid back, casual, homey the chefs are friendly, the service is fast and the price is in the lower range.

Photo courtesy of Pooja Patel

It’s not a sit down and order place; you just go to the counter, place your order and they’ll call you when it’s ready. Consisting of comfortable booths and a few tables, a few posters here and there, the set up is very similar to Elizabeth’s.

With three big-screen TVs around the restaurant playing the Olympics and The Simpsons, it is clear that this is a cross between a sports bar and a family style restaurant, with something for everyone. The most prized part of the restaurant is their separate game room, which has classic games found in most arcades like an air hockey table, a virtual skiing game, Ms. Pac Man, etc.

This collection of video games and pinball machines can all be played while waiting for your food.

Bambino’s has everything including hot, grilled sandwiches, pastas, pizza, wings, jalapeno poppers, etc. Their sandwiches are $ 5.25 for an 8-inch and $7. 25 for a 12-inch.Their pizza ranges from $15-20 for their specialties which include philly steak pizza, white pizza, meat lover, and create-your -own.

A 19-inch cheese pizza is only $15. Also, they have “Hot Italian Dinners” which serves all the most popular Italian pastas like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan.

Ordering the renowned pizza and two of their hot, grilled sandwiches, my table was satisfied overall.

If you want real NY-style pizza then you have to try this place. It was deliciously cheesy, but not greasy in the slightest. Their pizza dough and sauce is made fresh daily and it was evident in the quality of the pizza. The crust is divine; it is slightly crispy and has a homemade taste. The pizza sauce is light, yet rich and flavorful. Also, the slices are massive, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. It was by far my favorite part of the meal.

The sandwiches came out looking absolutely mouth-watering, extremely cheesy and just perfect. The bread was baked crispy, with eggplant or chicken stuffed in and a plethora of cheese that made my stomach growl simply by looking at it. They were good, but not the best I’ve ever had.

The one complaint was that the chicken parmesan sandwich tasted like “fried chicken.” Other than that, it’s definitely one of the best kept secrets of Winston-Salem, especially in terms of pizza. It is a great little neighborhood pizza joint that can’t be compared to national chains.

The relaxed atmosphere makes Bambino’s a place that could easily be a hangout for both the young and old. The food is comparable to other independent restaurants, but with exceptional pizza. Great food at an extremely reasonable price. What more can you ask for?