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| Bene's Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza |
Nothing goes hand in hand better than college and pizza, so where better to conduct our latest pizza review? Bene Pizzeria anchors the dining room at Mary Graydon Center, along with Elevation Burger, and (much to my surprise) makes a pretty good slice of pizza.
I actually enjoyed eating here: There's an undeniable feeling of excitement sharing a meal with hundreds of college students, most of whom appear oblivious to the trials and tribulations of "real life." Or perhaps, it's because we share a love for the same kind of food. Speaking of, Bene's pizza is top-notch, even if it is a little pricey ($2.99 per slice.) Joseelyn (my cashier) was very friendly, and her co-worker was fast & efficient with the pies. You can tell they're used to waiting on large lines of hungry Eagles... They move fast.
$8.11 earned me two slices (one big, one small... odd) of Pepperoni & Sausage pizza + a bottle of soda. Toppings were few, but the thin crust was cracker-like and tasty. Ditto for a zesty tomato sauce, and sufficiently gooey cheese. Once folded in half (New York style) it became even better. Good crust + hot pizza = Satisfied customer.
One significant negative... My soda was flat as a board, even though it was in a sealed bottle. It's hard (impossible?) to blame the eatery, but then again they served it. The lower level of the Mary Graydon Center has loads of seating, although my table needed cleaning beforehand (bring an extra napkin, you may need it.) It's "open" on weekends, but Bene and its fellow restaurants aren't. The Center is open 7:30 AM - 9 PM, Monday-Friday and 11 AM - 8 PM on Saturday & Sunday. Bene's hours? Not sure. I suggest calling (202) 885- 3184 to find out. How's that for grasping the college experience? I'm slacking already.
Atmosphere: B- (Great buzz in the room, messy table.)
Crust: B (Best part of a good slice.)
Toppings: B- (Needs more, but what's there is tasty.)
Service: B (Quick yet friendly.)
Value: B- (College isn't as affordable as it used to be.)
Overall: B- (Better than I expected.)
