Forget the fleeting food trends. Italian food remains a beloved classic in America. Emphasizing simple, fresh ingredients, this cuisine is a far-reaching favorite for a reason. When you’re searching for good Italian food nearby, make Tony’s Pizza your destination for some of the best authentic Italian dishes in town.

Why Choose Tony’s for Good Italian Food Near You

Diners craving authentic cuisine seek robust dishes. They want food prepared with traditional ingredients and time-honored cooking methods. However, many immigrants adapted their cherished recipes using ingredients available in their new home. Therefore, American Italian dishes often look and taste different than those in Europe.

For instance, European Italian cuisine focuses on a few simple ingredients. In contrast, American Italian dishes tend to be heartier and more robust. Although, American Italian food still adheres to distinct cooking techniques developed and refined by Italian immigrants.

Our owners are three brothers from an Italian family who grew up in Brooklyn, NY. They were surrounded by a vibrant Italian community. From a young age, they absorbed the secrets of traditional Italian cooking. In 1981, they moved to North Carolina and brought their family recipes to share a genuine taste of Italy with the South.

Popular Italian Dishes You’ll Love at Tony’s

If you’re hungry for the best Italian in town, you’re in luck. We serve generous portions which is a hallmark of American Italian dining. Moreover, each Italian entree comes with a side salad to start your meal. You also get garlic knots, a delicious accompaniment. Below, check out a few classic favorites at our restaurants for dine in or takeout:

1. Baked Ziti: A Cheesy Delight

This rich and gooey pasta dish features ziti. Ziti is a smooth-sided, hollow tube noodle, perfect for capturing sauce. Immigrants created our American version. They combined “pasta al forno” and “pasta au gratin,” two popular baked pasta dishes. At Tony’s, we layer this pasta with our family’s signature tomato sauce. Then, we add melted mozzarella cheese for a truly satisfying and decadent experience.

2. Lasagna: A Layered Masterpiece

Different versions of this iconic dish exist throughout Italy. Northern Italians use spinach pasta, creamy bechamel sauce, and parmesan cheese. The American version shares similarities with the southern Italian version. We build our lasagna with layers of tender lasagna noodles, savory meat, melted mozzarella cheese, and our flavorful tomato sauce. We bake it until bubbly and golden brown.

3. Eggplant Parmigiana: A Vegetarian Classic

Native to India, Arabs introduced Italians to eggplant in the early Middle Ages. By the 15th century, Italians were growing and eating eggplant. It became a staple in their cuisine. Our version features thinly sliced, fried eggplant. Then, we layer it with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese for a hearty and satisfying vegetarian option. We offer this as a delicious meat-free alternative.

4. Chicken Parmigiana: An American Adaptation

When Italian immigrants arrived in America, eggplant wasn’t always readily available. Chicken, on the other hand, was cheaper and more plentiful than in Italy. So, immigrants cleverly substituted chicken for eggplant in their beloved parmigiana. We season and bread the chicken to create a crispy coating. Then, we fry it to golden perfection. Next, we cover it with our tangy tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finally, we bake it until bubbly and delicious.

5. Cheese Ravioli: Pasta Pillows of Flavor

Italians have been crafting this classic pasta dish since the 14th century. Originally, cooks stuffed ravioli with a variety of ingredients, from meat to vegetables. They served it in a flavorful broth. Our baked ricotta cheese ravioli perfectly complements our house-made tomato sauce. The creamy cheese filling and tender pasta create a delightful and comforting combination.

6. Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce: A Simple Elegance

Although Italians are renowned for their pasta, history credits the Chinese with its invention. The explorer Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italians. Spaghetti gained immense popularity in southern Italy. However, Italians originally served it simply, with olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

The popularity of pairing tomato sauce with spaghetti rose in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some historians believe the rise of canning perishable foods, such as tomatoes, played a role in this trend.

Meatballs with spaghetti also emerged around this time, partly due to the more affordable prices of meat in America. At Tony’s, you can add meatballs to our delicious spaghetti with tomato sauce, creating a truly classic and satisfying Italian-American meal.

More Than Just Pasta: Tony’s Menu Highlights

Beyond these pasta dishes, Tony’s Pizza offers a wide variety of other Italian favorites. Our menu includes:

• Appetizers: Start your meal with a tempting selection of appetizers. We offer options like cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella sticks, meatballs, wings and fried ravioli. These are perfect for sharing or enjoying as a light bite.
• Salads: Enjoy a fresh and crisp salad, perfect as a light meal or a side dish. Our salads use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Subs: Our hearty and flavorful subs are ideal for lunch or a casual dinner. We make them with fresh bread and generous fillings.
• Calzones & Strombolis: These stuffed and baked Italian specialties offer a delicious and portable meal. They’re packed with cheese, sauce, and your favorite fillings.
• Desserts: Finish your meal with a sweet treat, such as cannoli or tiramisu. These classic Italian desserts provide the perfect ending to your meal.

Pizza Perfection: Tony’s Takes on a Classic

In addition to our authentic Italian entrees and other tasty options, we also serve America’s favorite meal: pizza. We craft our NY-style pies using traditional pizza-making techniques such as hand tossing. Our pizzas are available in several sizes to suit any appetite. Moreover, you can customize them with a generous selection of 32 delectable toppings. Similarly, for those days when you can’t decide on the perfect combination, we offer several tempting specialty pies:

• Greenhouse: A veggie lover’s dream, loaded with fresh vegetables. This pizza is packed with flavor and nutrients.
• 5 Boroughs: A meat lover’s delight, featuring all your favorite meat toppings. This pizza is a hearty and satisfying choice.
• The Worx: The ultimate combination pizza, with a bit of everything. This pizza offers a taste of all our best toppings.
• Pizza Bianco: A white pizza with a creamy, garlicky base. This pizza is a unique and flavorful option.
• Spicy Buffalo Chicken: A pizza with a fiery kick, featuring chicken and buffalo sauce. This pizza is perfect for those who like it hot.
• Cauliflower/rice-based crust: Options for those with dietary needs or preferences. We offer choices for gluten-free or low-carb diets. (Keep in mind, there is a risk of cross-contamination of flour in our kitchen.)

Your Questions Answered: Tony’s Pizza FAQs

Do you have questions about Tony’s Pizza or good Italian food near you? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Where Can I Find the Closest Tony’s Pizza?

We’ve strategically placed our local restaurants for your convenience. You can find us near major roadways in the following towns:

• 688 Bluefield Road, Mooresville (704) 658-1926
• 9548 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville (704) 394-5677
• 1530 Overland Park Lane, Charlotte (704) 688-6880
• 1605 Galleria Boulevard, Charlotte (704) 708-5111
• 14027 Conlan Circle, Charlotte 704-541-82
• 1832 Catawba Valley Boulevard SE, Hickory (828) 327-6636

Does Tony’s Pizza Offer Catering Services?

Yes, we do! Pizza is a perfect choice for parties, events, and gatherings of all kinds. Our wide range of pizza sizes makes it easy to order just the right amount for your crowd. We also offer party trays of our most popular Italian dishes, perfect for sharing and easy to serve:

• Greek salad: A refreshing and flavorful salad with Mediterranean influences. This salad is a healthy and vibrant option.
• Garden salad: A classic and versatile salad, perfect as a side or a light meal. This salad is customizable with your favorite dressings.
• Garlic knots: Soft, garlicky, and utterly irresistible, these are a must-have appetizer. Our garlic knots are made fresh daily.
• Spaghetti with marinara sauce/meatballs: A hearty and satisfying pasta dish, perfect for feeding a crowd. This dish is a classic for a reason.
• Lasagna: A crowd-pleasing baked pasta, always a hit at parties. Our lasagna is rich, cheesy, and flavorful.
• Ravioli: Pasta pillows filled with deliciousness, a comforting and flavorful choice. We offer a variety of fillings for our ravioli.
• Chicken parmigiana: A classic Italian-American favorite, sure to please even the pickiest eaters. This dish is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Eggplant parmigiana: A flavorful vegetarian dish, a great alternative to meat-based options. This dish is a satisfying and flavorful vegetarian choice.
• Cannoli: A sweet and creamy dessert, the perfect ending to a delicious Italian meal. Our cannoli are filled with a sweet ricotta cream.

Keep in mind, we offer pick-up for our catered trays. Be sure to give us a call before your event to ensure we are able to prepare all of the food you need ahead of time.

Are Gift Cards Available for Purchase at Tony’s Pizza?

Yes, they are! Tony’s Pizza gift cards make wonderful presents for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, or any occasion. They’re the perfect way to share the gift of delicious Italian food with friends and family. You can purchase them in any denomination at our restaurants or through our convenient app. Our gift cards are easy to use and a great way to support local business.

Who Serves the Best Italian Food Near Me?

We’re confident that we do, and so are many of our loyal customers. We’re passionate about serving authentic Italian flavors, using fresh ingredients and time-honored techniques. We believe that our commitment to quality and tradition sets us apart. Why not treat yourself to a delicious Italian meal tonight? Visit your nearest Tony’s Pizza and let us take care of dinner for you! We’re ready to serve you a meal you won’t forget.

Meanwhile, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and deals!

If you live in Charlotte, you have lots of choices when it comes to restaurants. However, just because it’s nearby, doesn’t mean it’s tasty. If you’re craving some of the best Italian food Charlotte NC offers, check out Tony’s Pizza. Around since the early 80s, our family-owned restaurants have some of the best authentic Italian food around.

Favorite Italian Dishes at Tony’s Pizza in Charlotte

We dish out some of the tastiest Italian food Charlotte NC has. Here are some of our favorites with a little background on each (in case you were wondering).

1. Ravioli

History traces this dish in Italy at least back to the 1500s. Since tomatoes weren’t around in that area yet, they cooked and served ravioli in a broth. Once tomatoes hit the scene around the 1800s, cooks slowly integrated them into recipes.

Mid 20^th century, toasted ravioli appeared. Who first created it, and where, is still up for debate. However, one thing that isn’t up for debate – it’s simply delightful. At Tony’s Pizza, we serve baked ravioli as an entree and toasted ravioli as an appetizer.

2. Lasagna

Lasagna has a history as long as its wavy noodles.  Originating around the Naples area, it spread throughout the region developing different versions. Generally, this meal suited special occasions best since it took so long to prepare from scratch and due to the expense of meat.

Once this tasty tidbit hit America, the process and expense changed. Meat cost less and dried pasta made it easier to create. And again, tomatoes enhanced this dish as well to make it more familiar to what we eat here today. Our team uses family recipes to create our baked cheesy delights.

3. Baked Ziti

Speaking of baked and cheesy, ziti is another popular Italian dish that we serve at Tony’s. Surprisingly, the Italian version sometimes contains a variety of ingredients including scrambled eggs. We keep ours simple yet satisfying with layers of pasta, freshly made tomato sauce and, of course, lots of cheese!

4. Parmigiana

Although many folks think Italian when parmigiana comes to mind, it actually hails from Asia. Originally (and likely due to cost and accessibility), parmigiana used layered veggies. Typically, the main ingredient was eggplant. However, some sources indicate it was zucchini. This dish made it to Italy around the 15^th century and evolved more into the dish we eat in the U.S. today.

We offer eggplant and chicken parmigiana as entrees or a sub (we also have meatball and sausage parmigiana subs).

5. Pizza

Of course, it’s hard to think of Italian food without pizza coming to mind. According to some sources, an Italian immigrant opened the first pizzeria in Manhattan around 1905. Since then, the style, crust and even toppings have proliferated across America. At Tony’s Pizza, we serve the iconic NY-style pizza with a magically crisp yet chewy crust. If you’ve never tried it, today is the day!

How Italian Food Made it to the US (and Charlotte!)

In case you were wondering how some of the best Italian food in Charlotte got here all the way from Italy, we’ve put together a little background. It all began in New York City in the late 1800s. Between then and the early 1900s, over 4 million immigrants arrived bringing their culture and robust, delicious family recipes. Unfortunately, the ingredients for these recipes weren’t always readily available. Thus, new dishes evolved with accessible ingredients.

Initially, only the Italian community indulged in these recipes. However, returning soldiers from WWII brought their fondness of pasta back home with them. Shortly thereafter, Italian immigrants opened restaurants to meet growing desire for their pasta and other delights.

Brothers Tony, Vinny and Mario grew up in New York (specifically Brooklyn) enjoying their own family’s recipes that trace all the way to Calabria, Italy. Eventually, they opened a NY-style pizza restaurant upstate then brought it and those delicious recipes to NC. The rest is tasty history!

FAQs About the Best Italian Food Charlotte NC Offers

If you’re still wondering about finding the best Italian food Charlotte NC offers, here are few frequently asked questions from our customers.

What Italian Dishes Do You Have?

As mentioned above, we have multiple traditional Italian and pasta entrees including spaghetti and meatballs. Moreover, we have abundant appetizers from garlic knots, cheese sticks and toasted ravioli to more American fare such as wings and fries. Likewise, we have subs, salads, calzones and stromboli. Complete your Italian meal with a delectable Italian dessert such as tiramisu, cannoli or cheesecake!

Where Can I Find Tony’s Pizza?

You’ll find our delicious food in our restaurants at the following locations:

In Huntersville, you’ll find us at:

• 9548 Mt. Holly-Huntersville RD

If in Mooresville, you’ll find Tony’s Pizza at:

• 688 Bluefield Rd

If you’re in Charlotte we’re located on:

• 1530 Overland Park Ln
• 1605 Galleria Blvd
• 14027 Conlan Circle

In Hickory we are at:

• 1832 Catawba Valley Blvd SE

Similarly, we’re not far if you live in one of Charlotte’s surrounding communities:

• Mint Hill
• Newell
• Matthews
• Mount Holly
• Harrisburg
• Belmont
• Fort Mill, SC

Who Serves The Best Italian Food Charlotte NC Offers?

Well, we’re a little biased but our customers also seem to think we’re pretty terrific.

“Amazing! Enjoyed everything about this place. Plenty of seating as you walk in. Order at the counter just like New York Style 😉… we ordered our usual half cheese half pepperoni 🍕 and it’s every bit New York style. The sauce is yummy! The crust is perfect. We are totally going back!” Marcio G.

Check out our other reviews and then drop by for a delicious bite!

We have lots of Tony’s Pizza locations throughout Charlotte and 1 in Hickory!