Guido’s Pizza Satisfies Critic

363-B Henri De Tonti Blvd., Tontitown

Recently we rolled up our sleeves and sat down to lunch at Guido’s Pizza in Tontitown. Before the pie arrived, we knew we’d found something special.

Family owned and operated, the restaurant serves homemade pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads that draw both suited businessmen and Tontitown locals to its tables.

An Elvis-stocked jukebox sits in a corner of the cozy dining room, and black-and-white pictures of the community line the walls. Funny phrases hanging on the walls make the wait pass quickly.

Our party of two was most impressed with the friendly folks at Guido’s. Service was prompt and considerate, and the staff went out of their way to welcome us as newcomers to the restaurant.

Because it was our first visit to Guido’s, we asked the waitress to recommend the house favorites.

She laughed and said everything on the menu is good. We both ordered namesake dishes: Papa Guido’s specialty pizza ($9.50) and Guido’s Sub ($5.25).

Now that’s amore.

Papa Guido’s pizza was a 9-inch wide tribute to seasoned meat. It was stacked with pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, green peppers and onions. The small pie was too much for one person, and the diner said she’d order the 8-inch mini pizza next time.

All of the pizzas at Guido’s are served on thin crust, and our reviewers ruled it wonderful. The crust was thick enough to support a mound of ingredients, but it was crisp. Unlike other thin crusts we’ve tried, Guido’s sample didn’t pool grease as the pizza cooled.

The Guido’s Sub was served on a hoagie bun with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, creamy Italian dressing, lettuce, Swiss and mozzarella. Warm and delicious, the sandwich melted in the diner’s mouth. The sub came with potato chips and a pickle spear.

We had only one negative comment about Guido’s. The dining room offered smoking seating only, and the occasional whiffs of smoke disappointed us. For smoke-sensitive diners, we recommend avoiding the lunch hour rush. Near the end of our outing, the air seemed to clear.

However, the restaurant was clean, and a few tables were available even during the most packed moments.

Our reviewers want to go back and try Nona’s Spaghetti ($5.75), noodles topped with meat sauce and parmesan cheese, which is served with a salad and garlic bread. The pizzeria’s salads also looked enticing. The Super Salad ($6 for a large) was laden with Canadian bacon, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives and mozzarella cheese.