Lino's Original Pizza & Pasta

3702 Frederick Ave

233-7327

What Dish: Combination pizza

Why You Like It: Its the best in town! The crust is thin, the way we like it. There is plenty of cheese, hamburger, pepperoni, black olives, green peppers and red onions. A little of everything you could want. The service is good. Lino is always friendly.

Mary Ann Peck,

St. Joseph

Lino's Original Pizza & Pasta is a restaurant survivor in St. Joseph - standing the test of time and construction at East Hills Mall for 15 years. In February, the popular eatery added Lino's to the name and scaled down in size after moving to the new food court. But they continue to serve pretty much the same fare as they always have: large thin crust pizzas (14 inch, 16 inch and 20 inch, by the slice or the whole), thick Sicilian square pizza, pastas and soups, along with Greek salads and Gyros. Why Greek? Lino says he got the recipes from a guy from Greece and thought it would be a good addition to the menu, and it has been.

Overall, the food is served fast, but it's not a typical fast-food franchise. Owner Rosario "Lino" Ingargiola is a native of Italy, and his uncle founded the Original Pizza & Pasta chain. Once a week, he cooks up an Italian speciality such as pesto carinese - a pesto sauce with fresh tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil over pasta. He also offers gourmet-type signature pizzas including a white pizza, tomato garlic and eggplant. If you like meat, watch for the Italian Stallion pizza, coming soon.

Lino's Original Pizza & Pasta is open regular mall hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.