Don Antonios provides delicious, cheap dining

  PRIYA SHARMA Don Antonios Pizzeria is located on 1136
Westwood Blvd.

By Leila Mobayen
Daily Bruin Contributor

Anyone who has lived in Westwood for more than one week has, at
one point or another, received a flier for Don Antonios pizza under
their door. Most likely, these pleas to consume cheap Italian food
have evoked the image of just that: cheap, and thus bad, food.

The reality of Don Antonios is quite different. Anyone in search
of an affordable yet fairly authentic Italian eating experience
need look no further than this quaint Westwood pizzeria.

Located on Westward Boulevard between Lindbrook and Kinross, Don
Antonios is a relatively painless walk from campus. This little
restaurant is dark and cozy, with attractive little
red-and-white-checkered tablecloths, definitely giving it a genuine
old-world Italian feel. There are also some tables on the sidewalk
for all those who either desire fresh air or are inclined to
people-watch while eating. This place offers Italian home cooking
at near-fast food prices; the prices border on amazing considering
how good the food really is.

Although Italian food has never been famous for being low fat or
low in carbohydrates, Don Antonios does offer a low fat pizza,
topped with Polly-O Non-Fat Mozzarella, garlic, fresh roma
tomatoes, and basil.

To counter the typical meal loaded with thick sauces and heavy
cheese, Don Antonios menu has a variety of salads, including
Caesar, Mediterranean, Antipasto, and Don Antonios own house
speciality.

Don Antonios does not cater to fans of fancy dressings; Italian
and ranch are the only choices to be found, but the salads are
still great. A regular salad runs from $2.50 to $3.50, and a large
runs from $3.95 to $6.25.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

NAME: Don Antonio’s Pizzeria
ADDRESS: 1136 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
90024
HOURS: Open Daily – 11 a.m. – 12 midnight
PHONE NUMBER: (310) 209-1422
PRICE RANGE: $1.00 – $20.00

Delivery is free The restaurant offers a number of different
lunch specials including pizza, hot submarine sandwiches, and
calzone, along with a salad and a soda, all for under six
dollars.

Lunch specials are available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. One
giant slice of cheese pizza costs $3.99, but its
“giant” label is no exaggeration.

A small pasta, complete with zesty marinara sauce and a soft
breadstick, is a bargain at $4.99. A variety of unique sandwiches,
such as eggplant parmigiana, BBQ chicken and Italian sausage and
peppers, are available, as well as old favorites like turkey and
Italian cold cuts. Sandwiches fall into the $4 ““ $6
range.

The salad is large for a starter and is dressed with a uniquely
tangy sauce that compliments it well. They have a similar
dinner-special menu as well.

The food comes in sizeable (although not enormous) portions and
is prepared rather quickly. A guest can begin his or her meal with
a variety of appetizers, including a garlic bread that is quite
tasty. Other unusual starters are Don Antonios famous spiced garlic
bread with cheese, and new items like freshly baked Foccacia bread
and mozzarella marinara.

The Bruschetta Checca may not be familiar to many students, but
this satisfying dish is a welcome addition to the menu. Bruschetta
checca consists of juicy tomato, zesty basil, and fresh garlic on
toast. The spinach calzone is served right out of the oven, and
could rival that of any restaurant.

For dessert there is not a whole lot of variety: the only option
is tiramisu. Nevertheless, it is definitely an excellent piece of
rich chocolate pastry for those who enjoy such delicacies. The menu
entices diners to ask about the mysterious “Dessert of the
day,” although no indication is given of what this strange
surprise might entail.

The coffee is also exceptional, making it worth your while to
stay for dessert. Don Antonios boasts the finest Torrefazione
Italia coffees, but, even without the fancy name, the coffee stands
out above the competition.

Although the food at Don Antonios is good, and the prices are
even better, the factor that should put this eatery high on your
list is their exemplary customer service.

No matter how busy the restaurant gets, each customer is greeted
with a smile and helped with the menu, and also sent off with a
hearty invitation to come again. This added effort makes eating at
Don Antonios more like being a guest than a customer, and they
definitely feed their guests well.