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A stromboli as big as my arm
Usually, the most important thing to think about when starting a business is "location, location, location." But, for the owners of our first ever reviewed restaurant, location probably wasn't their priority.
On (about) the corner of Ambler and Treadaway (2234 N. Treadaway to be exact) is a little place called "Little Italy". Now, you may be thinking "Wait. Little Italy is on Danville!" Right you are, my friend. There are two Little Italy locations in Abilene (at least these patrons believe the two are related...if not, someone isn't very creative). The Danville location gives a bit more traditional experience, while the N. Treadaway location serves pizza by the slice and strombolis the size of my arm in an atmosphere that is, well, on Treadaway.
First off, if you aren't looking for Little Italy, you might miss it. It is semi hidden by the business on the actual corner. In fact, most times we have eaten there, there have been about 3 or 4 full tables of the 10 in the joint. However, on this lunch visit, every table was either full or had been recently vacated, suggesting that business is decent during lunch, despite the hard to see sign. We are glad, because the lunch specials are some of the best to be found in Abilene.
Before we get to the actual food, let's quickly talk atmosphere. There is none. Ok, ok, that was a cheap shot. Anyway, we have already established the Treadaway location. But, inside, the seating area is clean and simple. Music was playing, but was turned down low enough to not be a distraction. This is definitely an "eat and run" kind of place, not somewhere you will propose to your girlfriend...well, at least most of you.
Little Italy's menu has a decent variety with Chicken Parmigiana, pizza, calzones and the aforementioned giant stromboli. Portions are large and the Veggie Pizza looks wonderful. On this day (like most), we ordered the Stromboli (you kinda have to). This monstrosity is filled with pepperoni, canadian bacon, sausage and mozzarella cheese and is served with a marinara sauce on the side to dip. Once this beast is done in the oven, it is brushed with olive oil and fresh minced garlic.
One word of advice. There is a ton of garlic. Now, don't get me wrong. We love garlic. We use garlic a lot. We eat pickled garlic. We cheer at home when Emeril says "garlic" when cooking on Food Network. But this is a lot of garlic. Unless you want your fingers to smell like garlic for the next four days, use a knife and fork or ask for light or no garlic. Of course, no vampires will dare approach you after consuming a Little Italy stromboli, so there is a bright side.
Oh and one other thing. One of the employees, a very sweet woman named BLT (yes, this is what she told us) may walk around and offer you "some hot sauce". If you choose to get hot sauce (at an Italian food place on your Italian food), be forewarned. It is a whiteish sauce that is made from straight fire. This stuff will burn your face right off. In fact, don't plan on tasting anything for a while. Consider this a warning.
All in all, Little Italy on Treadaway is a great place to grab a lot of food for a low price (the Stromboli lunch special includes tea and is less than six bucks). If we had a fancy rating system, lunch at Little Italy would rate right around 3 stars or 3 checkmarks or 3 doggy bags or 3 whatever. But we don't have a fancy rating system, so just go eat there. It's tasty.
Happy Eating!
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Posted by: smd02a on May 20, 2009 11:05 PM
I can attest for the hot sauce, it is intense! Great food though!
Posted by: Lindsay H. on May 21, 2009 12:12 AM
Guys. This is hilarious. Good review! And, guess what I want for dinner? Yep, stromboli. Yall are going to do wonders for restauranteurs in Abilene...you might have whoever is in charge of Treadaway knock you in your kneecaps, but, seriously...it's time someone did something about that atrocity anyway. Again, good good job! Excited to read more.
Posted by: Joe Bob on May 21, 2009 4:51 AM
We need to bottle the hot sauce- we could make a fortune with a truly hot sauce.