Spouse and I split-second decision to stop in for a quick meal tonight. Place was pretty empty, but then it *was* 9pm. We both ordered sandwiches (the gentleman behind the counter was happy to make suggestions), he had a cookie and I ordered the seasonal poblano soup.

He had a "pesto azul" - chicken with some fresh toppings. He swapped out the spinach for red peppers - no extra charge. I ordered the Bleu Club, which was a fairly traditional club sandwich on a croissant. The sandwiches were good sizes with fresh toppings, The bread and croissant were both fresh and delicious.
The Poblano soup was extremely tasty with just a little heat. I only ordered a cup, but it was also available in a bread bowl - which would make a great meal. Spouse said his chocolate chip cookie was good but not awesome.

Has anyone else been? I'm curious if the salads are any good.

Went by for some pickup food tonight. Spouse ordered the chicken parm sandwich, another meatball calzone, and I ordered a stromboli and the caprese. They all lasted through the car ride home. Calzone was just as enormous as last time, and that stromboli was spectacular.

The other owner was making the orders last night. I swear he could be the same guy that used to work in our neighborhood pizza joint.

Sorry for totally forgetting the name. It's not a fancy place by any means, but the food very reminiscent of true NE foods. I think the owners are hesitant to spend too much on the decor - it's functional as-is, and updating would lead to price increases. Maybe eventually. They seem very flexible on the calzone fillings so you may want to request the meatball or something else to try. I don't remember if the rolls with the entree were garlic or not.

We're going back for lunch tomorrow and I'll order something different tomorrow. Probably a stromboli to see how those translate from my childhood memories.

OR, spouse wants another calzone again. Still going for lunch tomorrow. Hungry men. Ha.

I go to the Great Hills stores when the flyer (which shrank considerably in the past couple of weeks) has good deals on produce or meats, both of which are very good values. I'm also a huge fan of Hansen's sodas, and they're one of the few retailers that carries more than just root beer.

It did seem a bit disorganized, and we did dine-in that night. The owner said they are still trying to ramp things up, as this is a new style for them. Let me know how their pickup pizza works. That part seemed efficient while we were there.

I'll be ordering their Sicilian sometime in the next week. I sure hope it's better than the tough bread with sauce that Saccone's peddles. If it's good, I may set up a tent in the parking lot and never leave.

Thanks Stephanie! D'oh. Didn't mean to leave out the name.

I did a fuller write-up on one of the six billion pizza threads.Prima Pizza Pasta.
Didn't get a full pie in house (will probably do that in the next week) but did order a slice from the pre-made pies. Crust was perfect thickness, just the right amount of char, and a slight nose droop. Since the slice was re-heated, it was a bit crispy on the bottom, but these guys know how to make a pie.
Spouse got a calzone which was huge. He wanted to finish it in one sitting, but he was making himself sick trying.

Coming from some serious pizza snobs, these guys do it right.

Went to the new italian place yesterday after the little write-up in the community mag.

Their pizza is truly based on NE US styles (I had high expectations seeing stromboli and philly cheesesteak pizza on the menu). Prices are outstanding - lunch deal of $5.95 for two slices and a drink. 14" cheese pie is $7.99, 16" $9.99

Talked to one of the owners - he said they have a small storefront in Killeen that has only take-out, and a place in Gatesville(?) that is only sit-down. Interior is totally leftover Cici's, but their food is worth the drive.

For all you northeastern US transplants living in NW Austin, THIS is the real deal. Read about them in the community mag and pulled up their website. Very promising to spouse and I (both of us from prime pizza country) as meatball is a topping. Even better were the mentions of Stromboli and Philly Cheesesteak pizza, which are staples in the greater NY/NJ/PA area.

We walk in to the restaurant, which is a former Cici's location, and still looks like one on the inside. That is where the similarity ended. Glass partitions and a large counter show pies that can be picked up by the slice. On a Monday night, there was only cheese and a veggie mess pre-made. Husband and I sit down. I order a slice of the cheese and some pepperoni added as well as chicken piccata. Spouse orders a meatball calzone (not officially on the menu, but it's always a plus when the chefs will make it how you want it). Our waitress was dressed as a typical busser for a NE pizza place. She was friendly and efficient. Pepsi products only and currently BYOB.
The food arrives. Chicken is cooked perfectly, pasta al dente as preffered for piccata, and loaded with capers (YUM!). Will be ordering this again. The slice was the perfect reheat - just a slight char on the crust and just a touch crunchy with the familiar slight nose droop. Flavor took me back to childhood and the family Friday pizza nights - just the right amount of grease, with a slight tomato tang. Spouse bit into his calzone (which was a true one - enormous and full of mozzarella and meatballs). He is as much a pizza snob as I am and was trying to finish the calzone - not because he was still hungry, but he couldn't make himself stop eating because it was perfect. He was also thrilled with his slice of cheese pie. There was definitely a brisk take-out business, but almost no one in the dining area. No TVs so the only noise is other diners and the kitchen. Talked to one of the owners after we ate and also found out they do offer Sicilian pies as an off-menu specialty, which I have yet to find as a good option in Texas as the dough is always overcooked.

Prices are exceptionally reasonable. 14" cheese pie is $7.99. 16" cheese pie is $9.99. Toppings are tiered into two levels - normal toppings are $1 to $1.50, or $1.50 to $2. They also have a great meal deal - 2 slices and a drink for $5.95. I don't believe there was anything on the menu over $15. They currently have a "grand opening special" - a one topping 16" pie for $9.99.

The owner said they have a pretty brisk lunch crowd already. With the prices and quality of food, that is no surprise. These former Yankees are hoping this places lasts too.

Have to add a new contender now that I've been...

I would love to recommend In The Buns in NW Austin off Lake Creek Pkwy/183 in the HEB lot across from 24 Hour fitness. I didn't have a beef burger (easily swayed by suggestions) but tried the bleu cheese bacon burger. All fresh veggies on a generous sized bun. The patty itself was probably around 1/3 pound, but was hand shaped so it was hard to judge. (They also cook the cheeses within the burger so that can deceive the size too). The patty was juicy and flavorful. The bacon was thick cut, fried to order and perfectly done. The veggies were fresh (tomato, onion, pickle slice, butter lettuce) and served on the side. The cook actually botched my burger, which the server noticed and 'fixed' it with extra bleu cheese at chipotle ranch sauce. Quite tasty!

Newk's in the Arboretum has a fairly large menu and the food is decent (and decently priced) with a sizable dining area.

Okay, went for lunch, and...you were spot on!

The "4-tops" look to be the same size as the regular tables. I rather liked the 'metal art' on the tables (they are metal 'roses' and the leaves and petals are made of spoons and forks) and serve as a nice hanger for order numbers. The decor wasn't anything special otherwise.

I ordered the bleu cheese bacon with onion rings as well, although accepted the turkey burger when offered. When it was brought to the table, the guy knew it hadn't been made correctly (made with cheddar instead)...he asked if he could get it fixed. At first I declined, but he said he could 'make it better' and asked if I'd like to try it with the chipotle ranch sauce, as well as bleu cheese crumbles. He took it back to the kitchen and was back in seconds.

Let me tell you, that was one of the tastiest burgers I've had in forever. The burger itself was juicy and flavorful, the veggies where fresh and crisp, the bacon was freshly fried, thick cut and cooked to perfection. And that chipotle ranch sauce was the 'icing' on the bun! The onion rings were not to my taste (they need just a little pepper) but were cooked perfectly and practically melted in the mouth.

Husband ordered a plain turkey cheeseburger and curly fries. He ate all of it and said "That was a good." which for him is the highest food praise possible.

It was moderately busy for a Sunday afternoon and we plan to eat there somewhat regularly so hopefully it will stay around.

Yes indeed - our local mailbox newspaper had a small article detailing the origins. My first thought was "REALLY? Another burger place within 5 miles???" but your write-up makes it sound fascinating. Guess we'll be hitting it up soon!

We are also going to be on the strip for Thanksgiving. We went a couple of years ago and my in-laws had such a good time they wanted to go again so we're looking for the same information! We may have to try some of your restaurant suggestions as we haven't been back for over a year and we're always looking to try something new.

If you do find one, please let another transplant know! I love the crust at HomeSlice but their tomato sauce is so bland. (Unfortunately, there used to be a great place on Bee Caves (I can't remember the name) but they definitely had the best pizza in Austin.)