With the flood of midterm exams, papers and projects that preempts spring break, just the thought of going out to dinner can be exhausting.
Luckily, a cozy, low-key evening is a viable option for you, and you only have to travel to the corner of Southern and Mill avenues in Tempe. That's where you'll find Venezia's New York Style Pizzeria, a great spot for dining in or taking out.
Step inside Venezia's, and it looks like your average pizza joint. The game will be on one of the TV sets hanging from the top corners of the room, and bare tables are strewn throughout the small front and back dining rooms.
Order at the counter, and watch as pizzas roll out of the oven and are cut next to the cash register - there's no space to spare. But order a slice or a pie, and you'll find that the biggest part of Venezia's is the pizza.
Slices of the thin-crust pizza here are nearly twice the size of those at other pizzerias and, for $2 each, make a quick, cheap lunch. Whole pizzas come in sizes as large as 24 inches, which can feed a large group for little money.
There's a long list of toppings, as well as a variety of specialty pizzas. If you're really hungry, try The Empire State, which comes with 10 toppings of your choice.
The Park Avenue is another great pizza, with grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, spinach, tomato and garlic. For spice lovers, The Italian Stallion is covered in zesty sauce, jalapenos, onions, pepperoni and sausage. There are also white pizzas and pesto pizzas.
Don't miss the wings at Venezia's, either. They come in seven flavors, including Honey BBQ, BBQ Hot and Honey Hot. Watch out for anything with the word 'hot' in the name, though; Venezia's doesn't mess around when it comes to spicy, and the hot wings are only for the very brave.
For those with less of a spice tolerance, Venezia's also offers salads, sandwiches, pasta, breadsticks and Italian fries, topped with garlic, oregano and melted mozzarella.
If you're feeling creative, you can purchase a 16-inch, raw dough ball to roll out and make your own pizza and calzone creations from the comfort of your own kitchen.
What may be the best part about ordering from Venezia's, however, is the amount of food you can get for $20 or $30. The food is cheap and hearty, as well as delicious. Don't forget to check for Venezia's great lunch and dinner specials.
Before you pick up your order and head home, stop on the opposite corner at Blockbuster video store, and grab a movie or two. In less than half an hour, you've prepared a perfect evening for the much-needed rest and relaxation that will take you from midterms to margaritas and spring break.
Reach the reporter at: jessica.kokal@asu.edu.
