The return to Sbarro
I have a confession to make. I absolutely love pizza. And one of my biggest frustrations is my inability to make good-quality pizza at home. It’s not the lack of ingredients. I know where to buy everything — good mozzarella, those spicy Italian sausages, herbs and spices… No, the problem is not the topping. It’s the crust. I still can’t make good pizza crust — the kind that is almost crisp outside but soft inside. I can’t hand-toss dough if my life depended on it. And because I never liked frozen pizza crust (they taste too much like bad biscuit), we’d rather eat out to get good pizza.
Story of my life. That was how I got introduced to Sbarro back when I was still a Law student. A group of us would drive to SM City for Sbarro’s pizza and pasta when we had the money to splurge. Not that often; probably once every couple of months. But often enough to know that the food was consistently good. Even after graduating and we were already lawyers all working in the Diliman area, we’d still go once in a while.
I haven’t been to Sbarro in years. The last time I was there, it was to introduce Speedy to the place and we weren’t even married yet at the time. Our daughters are now teenagers and it wasn’t until last Wednesday that we went back to Sbarro — together. Not in SM City but in the new mall right across the street — TriNoMa.
And was the food still good?
The pizza was. They were still so huge that I didn’t have the nerve to order pasta too so I really can’t say anything about the pasta — yet. We’re going back to Sbarro over the weekend to bring our daughters there.
So what did we order? The double pizzas. Two layers of pizza oozing with cheese and meat. I ordered the Supreme (above) for Speedy and I had the sausage and pepperoni (below).
I love Sbarro’s pizza more than Yellow Cab’s and I love Yellow Cab many times over than California Pizza Kitchen’s pizza (below). Another place to get good pizza is S&R.
Then, there are the pizzas I miss. The Italian Village along Quezon Avenue, quite popular when I was still a U.P. student, closed down several years ago. Since we moved to the suburb, Domino’s pizzas have been inaccessible. The only pizza delivery service on our side of the boondocks are Pizza Hut and Greenwich. Pizza Hut’s delivery service isn’t that good, and neither is the pizza, and I only eat Greenwich if there’s nothing else available and I’m starving.
Of course, I haven’t tried all the pizza there is in Metro Manila alone much less the entire world. But if all the pizza places in Metro Manila were to close down except one, and the choice as to which should remain were up to me, I’d choose Sbarro.
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I love Sbarro’s, too!
Yeah, I think the secret is in the crust. My boyfriend makes a really yummy Pizza Margherita and he dusts the crust with cornmeal right before baking which makes it crispy and prevents it from getting soggy and sticking to the baking tray as we don’t have a pizza stone. I’ll DHL you a slice when he cooks another pizza. Hehe.
I’ve actually got a good, reliable recipe for pizza crust. You can see it here if you like: http://almostvegetarian.blogspot.com/2007/01/sourdough-cracker.html. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. We’re like you: A week without pizza is just not a week worth living!
Cheers!
Yah, Marie, it’s the crust. You can have the best toppings and the pizza would still be wrong if the crust isn’t good. Oh, does DHL have those stay-hot pouches? LOL
you’re an asshole, almost vegetarian. the recipe isn’t on your page but on the Cuisinart site. You only gave your link to advertise your blog. I read your PR page and you’re a disgrace soliciting products like that. Enough said.
I had Sbarro pizza years ago and its good to know that its still good. Kapag pasado sayo, most likely its really good. The photo reminded me of a pizza place in Chula Vista, CA called La Bella. They top the pizza with cheese that you can’t really see the toppings and the dough is crisp. Thanks for this article; I will try Sbarro again once we visit!
God bless.
Hi Connie,
We love pizza too!Almost every friday we have pizza and i like to make my own dough from my bread maker.I don’t know how to tose the dough like the italians but i just stretch the dough to fit in the stone and throw in the toppings.The pizza on the photos looks yummy!kakagutom.
Cheers
oh, how i love Sbarro! We had lunch there earlier with hubby. Our usual order is pepperoni pizza, baked ziti and extra garlic bread.
Me too, I’d prefer Sbarro than Yellow Cab. Naaalatan ako sa Yellow Cab.
hi coonie if really want to try cheap and delicous pizza and pasta try NAPOLI somewhere in QC i far as i can remember lapit sa ABS CBN kasi dinala ako boss ko doon before treat for the whole office sarap na mura pa
ahhh… connie… this is the first post of yours on which i did not salivate all over my laptop =) growing up near NYC, i was lucky enough to have THE BEST pizzas in the entire world! okay, i haven’t had pizza outside of the US, so that claim is unfounded. but honest to goodness, i’ve lived all over the US and there is nothing like NY pizza!
Pizza! My weakness. Love Sbarro, Yellow Cab, Magoo’s. I’ve tried those at BF Pque -’a Venetto’s, those at Gourmet in Tagaytay, then there’s those at Cafe Puccini (Fort). Ang sarap. I have a pizza dough recipe given to me by the wife of my old boss. Haven’t tried doing it myself but each time we go to their house she serves here own home made pizza and the dough is good. I’ll have it somehwere in my files and will go look for the receipe and share it with you.
My friends and I love Sbarro’s as well! Back in college, we also used to eat at SM North. My friends love their pastas, but I’m usually after the pizza! It’s been a while since i’ve been there.
Also, we find A Venetto’s and Amicci’s pizzas quite good.
Before I got hooked to Sbarro’s pizza and pasta, there was Round Table pizza in Greenbelt. When I was still in law school, a trip to Makati (to get my allowance), wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Round Table. How sad that it has closed down too.
I love sbarro’s too. and napoli’s is also great. yummy
Janet, restaurants that are able to serve good food consistently are rare these days. Natuwa ako sa Sbarro. Sarap pa rin.
Gena, so a breadmaker is really useful? I was thinking of getting one but am worried about the electricity consumption.
brenda, saka masyado oily kasi Yellow Cab. Actually, Domino’s din.
doc_tin79, been hearing about Napoli’s but i still haven’t discovered the exact location.
Lani, hahahaha lucky you!
kulasa & misao, A Venetto is on my list. Have been hearing great feedbacks about the place too. misao, amici’s in don bosco makati? my (code red mag) editor has told me about it too. Ang layo lang kasi.
soloops, haven’t tried round table, closed na pala.
Hi Connie,
I’ve emailed you my favorite pizza dough recipe. Hope it works for you.
Happy baking!
Hi Connie! Sbarro brings back fun memories for me too. I remember the first time I ate there – I was in 1st year High School and I was the “chaperone” of my neighbor and his date – a pretty and popular Senior girl from my school. We went to La Salle Greenhills for a basketball game, then ate lunch at Sbarro Megamall. I felt I was so cool, to be a freshie hanging out with goodlooking seniors on a Saturday afternoon
Oh, and it was at Sbarro’s when I realized that Italian sauce was supposed to be on the sour side, a surprise for someone who was reared on sweet Filipino-style sauce.
My favorite pizza places have been the original Di’ Marks (?) pizza on Kalayaan Avenue (which my parents used to bring me to when I was a kid), A Venetto on Visayas Avenue and the old Alda’s Restaurant in Ermita/Malate. Once in a while, I still get the craving for Greenwich or even the good ol’ 3M pizza!
If you’re into Deep Dish pizza naman, the crust from Chicago’s Pizzeria Uno would be the one to beat (sorry New Yorkers!).
I still have to try it but Cook’s Illustrated “The New Best Recipe” book has one that adds potato as the “secret ingredient” to make the signature dough texture that’s crisp on the outside and soft in the inside (but still filling).
Trivia: did you know that Ohio is the pizza capital of the US? Ohio has more pizza stores per capita than any other US state.
-kyo-
Thanks, Tuesdayy. Good thing we have a brand new can of yeast.
Tessa, the authentic sour Italian sauce turns off a lot of Pinoys who have associated spaghetti with the sweet stuff they serve in most fast foods.
A Venetto has branches in most malls now.
i have always wanted to learn how to make pizza crust and last week i got my wish come true..our neighbour taught me how to make a thin and crispy crust…for 1 kilo flour i was able to make 6-7 crust with it and i was so happy to finally make my own homemade pizza crust
hi connie. my high school & college days also bring back memories of “sm 101,” that special elective class na lahat yata ng students ay naka-enroll.
shempre, sbarro’s sa listahan ng mga assignments in sm 101 class. hehe!
kapag nagpunta ka sa makati, try mo rin yung carpaccio italiano. although it’s much farther than amici de don bosco pero authentic italian food, i.e. pizza. sarap!
ooops! sorry. may mali akong ginawa dun sa url link ng carpaccio italiano. paki correct na lang po. thanks!
O yeah, memories h.s. during the late 80’s-early 90’s hehehe SM City was the only decent mall in the area back then (Galleria and Megamall were just being constructed, and the Makati was just a bit too far), and my h.s. barkada and I would hang out at Sbarro on a Staurday night for dinner, catch the last full show, and then hang out again ’til dawn at Dunkin Donuts West Ave.
I loved how the tomato sauce was sour back then, but now, it seems a sweeter than it used to be 
A Venetto is more common, but as far as I know, Napoli has only one branch, located along the Timog-Morato rotonda. But it’s just the same outfit, with the exact same menu. I don’t even know why they bothered changing their name hahaha
Hi Connie-miss the Sbarro and Sm City days. I was in high school then when Sbarro and French Baker first became popular. Those photos made me drool!!! Ayan I want to back home sa Manila na tuloy! Pero alam mo Connie, when I was in Manila last, I was ordering 3M Pizza everyday. Alam ko sobrang jurassic na niyang 3M pero it has this taste that brings back the good old memories. I still crave for them kahit hindi super class ang lasa niya compared to Sbarro.
hi connie,
here in france its not hard to find good pizza, especially i am in nice just beside italy, but i have an off topic question.
since you are a lawyer do you know anybody practicing family law? i have been searching for months and i couldnt find any, even on the net. id like to petition legal guardianship for my sister because orphan kami since i was 16 and i want to bring them here with me so i need a lawyer. sorry for the off topic comment i just dont know who to ask.
thanks
I’m not a fan of Sbarro. I don’t like their pizza that much – one bite is more than enough to make me stay away from the store for several months.
If I were to say my fave pizza brand, it would be Brooklyn’s. Then Magoo’s, CPK, Yellow Cab, Pizza Hut, etc..
White Pizza forever!
Sbarro… mmmmmmm. And S&R — their Calzone makes me hungry. Yellow Cab has been a little bit too oily of late. California Pizza Kitchen is good, IMHO, but I haven’t been there for some time. I love the new Domino’s Pizza (the one full of jalapeno) and I think their crust improved (the one before reminded me of… Sky Flakes). Pizza Hut is enjoyable only for the cheesy volcano — it’s not about the pizza per se anymore.
Ayan nagugutom na ako. Eh samantalang kelangan ko magpapayat at babatukan ako ng aking cardiologist. *Haaay*
hi connie! i love sbarros too, but im not really fond of their pasta dishes. theres sbarro here in cali like in the food courts but its not the same as those in PI when it comes to taste, the one in PI is much better, dont know why.. i got a question but its not about pizza crust but another dough, i dont know if youve heard about Le Cour de France (correct my spelling, i forgot how to spell it) its at Sta Lucia mall in cainta and i just love their panini, i tried doing it on bread cos i just got a panini press and its not the same, do you happen to know what dough that is? well if youve tried though, if not, and you know something else can you share it? coming from you i know and im sure its gonna be good lol all your recipes that i tried is a big hit! i feel like a pro hehhe i dont really cook when i was in PI and now that im married and here in the US i had to cook and with your help its always taob the caldero heheh thanks and keep up the good work.. this is so long sorry!! heheh
yup, sbarro knows what pizza really is..here in baguio, there was only one outlet which was located at SM..so sad to see them close up last summer though, don’t know why.. i really miss gobbling up a slice yum! yum!..haven’t really had a liking for yellow cab though, eating a piece and i am already thinking of how much salt i let my kidneys handle, scary..
how i wish sbarro would bring back their quality pizzas up here in the mountains!sigh…
ms. connie,
yes, amici’s beside don bosco, makati… yes, it’s quite far from where we live (i’m from taytay). we go there whenever i visit friends in makati.
dear connie,
i ate sbarro kahapon with my sister and we were transported to pizza heaven!!! thanks for making me rediscover sbarro. i was a UP Diliman junkie who loitered SM north edsa when no classes. i ate sbarro with my friends and it was delicious. my daughters subscribe to a different pizza class c pizza and they like it very much (lots of pizza). well anyway they are still grade school and i know their palates will mature somehow. SANA!!!!!!!!!!
arny
I miss the Overstuffed pizza from Angelino’s too.
Hi! This is OT. I was looking for a Hototay recipe and then I found yours (thanks!) and this:
http://www.recipes.com.ph/show/hototay
???
i totally agree with you ms. connie! i love sbarro pizza over anything else available here in manila. have you tried their white deep dish? think of their usual white pizza but multiplied thrice in goodness. thats how yummy it is. i usually dont like pineapples in my pizza but i was willing to overlook it this time. they have another monster of a pizza. i really don’t know what it is but it seems to have ziti inside. i sort of feel they went over the top on this one, so maybe that’s something i wouldn’t touch from sbarro, no matter how much i love them…
Have you tried Brooklyn Pizza? It’s sort of like Yellow Cab’s, but it’s less oily. I love their white pizza, then just order extra pepperoni. You might like it, since the crust is nice and crispy, without being oily. Only problem is…you can’t order Yellow Cab’s killer Chicken Wings from them, hehe.
Here’s an old old blog entry with their offerings and phone number. While the prices aren’t updated, the phone number still works and the menu’s roughly the same, since it’s the one we used when we last ordered.
http://blog.box.com.ph/2005/06/03/brooklyn-pizza-now-in-makati/
(No, I’m not in any way affiliated with them nor the blogger, I just like the pizza)
I agree with most of your post, I love Sbarro, and I love Yellow Cab. Still, I also love CPK–for me, it satiates a different kind of pizza craving, so for me, they all stand equal.
the first time i ate at sbarro was some 17 years ago when i was a poor sophomore in UP diliman…my friends and I were so mesmerized by the ‘open kitchen” set up of the pizzamakers and the humongous pizza crusts they were tossing in the air..for us who grew up with regular neighborhood pizzas like 3m fiesta papa that was truly a sight to behold…we were literally gawking outside the sbarro window… the pizza makers saw us and beckoned to us to come inside kasi tagal na namin nakatayo sa labas…good thing a friend just got allowance from her laywer-brother (now congressman) and she was able to treat us to sbarro pizza…otherwise mukha lang talaga kami yagit
i also likes a veneto and napoli’s pizza and pizza from bellini’s…really superb … consistently yummy and vey reasonably priced
i’m a pizza adik yet here in davao there’s only a few pizza stores(pizza hut, greenwhich and yellow cab)… so far i like yellow cabs pizzas!
those pictures are mouthwatering.. when i go to cebu first stop would be sbarro!
@ asuy
There’s one in SM and Ayala but I would suggest you go to the Ayala branch because the place is more malaki. Yung sa SM super liit lang tapos crowded pa lagi esp pag luchtime.
@ Tessa Mendoza and cathy
uy ako din, crave pa din ako ng 3M. Yung branch nila sa Araneta Center ang lagi naming tambayan nung college pa ako (andun pa ba yun?) tapos with extra cheese…. sarap
Connie, oo nga, masyahong oily yung Yellow Cab ano? I also like Dominos and Magoos, too bad wala dito sa Cebu. Saan nga yung Brooklyn? I’m going to Manila this coming October, I want to try it. try ko din yung Napoli, tsaka yung A Venetto.
Maryosep, pagbalik ko siguro ng Cebu ilang pounds kaya ang madagdag sa akin sa dami ng food na gusto kong kainin dahil wala dito sa Cebu????
*sigh
i love sbarro’s! i love their bread, their stuffed pizza, and their baked zitti!
most of all – and on a more personal note, sbarro’s brings back really nice memories.
thanks for this post connie. ^_^
hello pizza fanatics,
i just saw these reviews on Slice about reviews of 2 Manila pizza places (just wanted to share)
Nuccio’s
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2007/07/p
izza-in-manila.html
Cibo’s
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2007/08/pizza-in-manila-cibo.html
… and yes, I’d also agree that 3M really brings back good memories.
-kyo-
I’ve loved dining at Sbarro’s ever since I stumbled upon the place tucked away in then-spanking new SM Annex. These days though I’d rather hang out at the Megamall branch – larger and more chill. Pizzas served by most places in Metro Manila are either too oily, too dry, or… basta parang ‘may kulang’. Sbarro’s consistently hits the spot. Even if most of their offers are cholesterol nightmares – ‘pampabata’ ika nga, hehehe – we only live once =)
I don’t like Pizza here in the States, I don’t know how to explain it but it tastes different. I still like the Filipino version of Pizza hut and Shakeys, esp those cheap pizza you buy in the street corners. I think it was M&M pizza,,, cheese with tiny slices of ham.mmmmm…yum.
Sbarros? Their pasta are soggy and their sauces are anemic. I still have to see an Italian line up and try to eat their food.
“their sauces are anemic”
That’s often the case when NO FOOD COLORING is used.
I love Sbarro! Their Chicago Deep or just the plain Cheese Pizza are awesome! I like their Baked Zitti, it’s cooked just right and sauce is not like the common Filipino style. Though it may taste a bit sour (must be the tomato) I usually add (rather experiment) some spices and ehrbs according to my mood.
Would you believe that I wouldn’t have known the taste of oregano if I hadn’t tried it with my pasta?
ms. connie,
the pizzas in napoli (timog corner t. morat0) and a-venetto (visayas and fairview) are also good and affordable. but don’t you wish there’s still angelino’s around?
yes, angelino’s! i loved both angelino’s and dean st.
I particularly liked this new pizza/pasta place at Castilla St corner Valencia Street, New Manila. I wasn’t prepared to like their food and just ate there out of convenience. Now I find myself craving and coming back for their Quattro Formaggio and all their firm and tasty pasta.
The place is called PIZZERIA TOSCANA. But it’s open only from 6pm to 10pm (Mon-Sat only) because the owners have 9-5 jobs.
not to brag, but if you’ve been to a real italian pizzeria , Sbarro, Yellow Cab and CPK are a far cry from the “real thing”. Agree with Anne on Pizzeria Toscana; it has the look,smell and feel of a quaint Italian pizzeria; I’d also come back for the Quattro!
Anne, too bad the dining hours are so short.
Well, Joey, I haven’t been to Italy yet. When I do get a chance, I’ll be sure to blog about the real Italian pizzarias.
i love the chicago pizza esp shiela. grazie
love the baked ziti and white pizza! comfort food!
Have you tried Brooklyn Pizza? It’s waaaay better than CPK or Yellow Cab.
Ay, no, where can I find Brooklyn Pizza?
Mmmmm, basta ginutom kami sa SM city north, we go to Sbarro. Kunyari pa maghahanap ng ibang makakainan, Sbarro din ang bagsak. Irresistible! Our 4 year-old son loves their pizza and spaghetti even when lately mejo malabnaw na tomato sauce nila. Isa pang the best for our family is A Veneto in Visayas Ave. Lots of choices and great servings. I haven’t tried eating in their other branches. Sana pareho din lasa.
Sbarro at the Mall of Asia sucks.
hi connie,
NAPOLI pizza is near Imperial Palace, i think same building sila, sa ground floor yung NAPOLI. Delicious nga ang pizza dun kasi yung ka-officemate ko parang every friday, nagdadala sa office ng pizza, super NAPOLI day nya talaga. he he he.
Thanks,
Neri
I had my first Sbarro at SM Sta Mesa way back in high school. My first taste of Italian pizza and pasta. I really like their garlic bread a lot.
hi connie, i just got back from Qatar last Christmas to be with my family this time for Holidays. Its been almost 2 years that never been to manila for Christmas. We went to Mall of Asia last week and for the first time, i was able to tasted the Sbarro pizza. it was so huge, i couldnt believe. i heard of if before but never realized until i saw how huge it was. believe me, one slice of pizza is more than enough for me. i ordered the ordinary pizza for i find the double pizza too meaty and i dont like too much meat.
Well i know its late but I would like to greet you and your family a very Happy New Year. Its nice to be back home again.
love sbarro’s pizza…..and Chicago pizza of course, i’m from the windy city.best one i’ve ever tasted was in Rome with succhini,
eggplant,tomato and onion,YUM……
we all love sbarro… miss it so much… pwede ba magpadhl… pizza, pasta… hmmmm sbarro forever..
yes sbarro’s the best! my family loves it so much that everytime we go back to the Phils., a trip to Sbarro will definitely always be on the itinerary… i also missed the baked zitti with white sauce…. yum!