For those who live in in Central Florida as well as those headed South this winter, Kathy Card, our Senior Central Florida Correspondent, offers another good option for folks in or near DeLand, Angelina’s Pizzeria.
Angelina’s is at 2687 S. Woodland Blvd maybe 10 minutes from I-4 where it branches off I-95. Now, if you’re going to Orlando or on to Tampa and the southwest coast, odds are you’re traveling as a family, and that means that modestly priced restaurants are pearls of great price. They’re even more precious when you’re leaving Orlando.
I say that from experience, as we financed two brief trips to Disney way back when. The first time we stayed at a Disney property at which everything was perfect, except the interest rate on our second mortgage. The second trip also emptied the family vault but was a little short of perfection. Still, on our way back, as we drove due east on the Beachline Expressway, we saw people pulling over. Following suit, we enjoyed a spectacular view of a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. Money well spent, but what I wouldn’t have given for a good meal at a decent price!
And good Angelina’s is remarkably good and the prices are better than decent. Here’s Kathy’s report —
Tucked in the corner of an unassuming strip mall in DeLand, you will find Angelina’s Pizza and Eatery. We stopped in a few days after Christmas, and the restaurant was bustling…always a good sign. Upon entering, there was a table, laden with homemade holiday cookies which we couldn’t resist.
The macaroons and the chocolate mint cookies were irresistible. The second thing we noticed was an impressive display of pizzas available by the slice.
We were then greeted by owner Emmanuel Lupica, who started this Sicilian style restaurant in 1995, with help of his parents who worked there well into their nineties.
Emmanuel takes great pride in never cooking with hydrogenated oils or trans fat, and always using the finest freshest natural meats and the highest quality Wisconsin and imported cheeses he can find.
But first, after the cookies we had to get a salad.
The Greek salad was loaded with quality feta, kalamata olives, fresh vegetables and homemade dressing having the just the right amount of garlic. That wedge at the top was a good hunk of garlic bread.
We were both impressed by our New York style pizza with onions and mushrooms.
It was perfectly crispy and the delicious fresh ingredients justified Emmanuel’s pride. It possibly was the best pizza we have ever had! We can’t wait to return and try a Stromboli or a calzone.
Now isn’t that a lot better than another meal at a fast food chain? And everything looks so good — did you notice the corner of white pizza among the slice choices? Mmmm! At Angelina’s you can feed a family of four for $17 with a 16 inch pizza, although in my teenage days I was often a family of four by myself. And DeLand is a nice place, as detailed here. Next time you’re anywhere near DeLand, stop in.
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