The Margherita Pizza at Joey Garlic's Pizzeria
(Credit: Tia Ann Chapman)
But most of the time it's an abundance of food, preferably at a low price.
Most pig-out factories, however, aren't so much interested in quality as they are in quantity. And there's where the gimmick slams into a brick wall. Leftovers aren't so much fun when the next day's gruel tastes exactly like last night's mush.
Joey Garlic's Pizzeria is the exception to the more-is-more gimmick. You'll probably have to take home half your tasty dinner, but the leftovers are something you'll actually look forward to eating the next day.
Food: Big portions for big appetites is the rule. The Italian menu includes pizza, grinders, fried calamari, fried eggplant, big salads and burgers. There's also a long list of hand-dipped milkshakes and old-fashioned sodas. If you like the idea of a pizza parlor with lots of extras, this is your place.
Decor: Don't let the plain, almost homely Lincoln log dwelling fool you. There's nothing sleepy about the restaurant. On both visits the place was so crowded we had to dine in the bar area, which also has table seating. The restaurant is utterly casual, which makes it a perfect place for families, parties or an after-work hangout.
The vibe: Unpretentious and honest. Owners Chris Giotsas, Anthony Sullo, Nick Romano (chef) and Gary Gello (pizza chef) have created an eatery where an inexpensive bowl of macaroni and butter receives just as much care as a mojito muddled with mint and lime. That's what's great about the place—it appeals to simple tastes as well as more seasoned palates. That's a good thing.
The damage: Appetizers, $5.95-$8.95; salads, $4.95-$7.95; New Haven-style pizza, $8.95 (small; $1 extra per topping) to $12.95 (large, $1.95 extra per topping); specialty pizza, $9.95-$22.95; sandwiches, $6.95-$13.95; calzones, $8.50 ($1 extra for each filling); desserts, $3.50; milkshakes, $4.25.
Bottom line: Joey Garlic's isn't running the fine dining race. This is a restaurant that knows what it is and loves what it's doing. The culinary arithmetic here is simple: big portions + good food = happy customers. It's a formula that will keep Joey busy for a good long while.
Read the full review on www.courant.com
Joey Garlic's Pizzeria
372 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington
860-678-7231
