On my recent visit to Sbarro, I was thrilled to remember it as an American pizza chain that focuses on XL NY Pizza laden with a variety of toppings; an excellent lunch or dinner choice.
As an American, I always find a level of comfort in knowing Sbarro is a well-known pizzeria chain with over 600 locations, spread across 28 countries. From North America to Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Sbarro has quite the reach. The densest concentration, of course, is here in the U.S.
The backstory behind Sbarro is pretty interesting too. I learned that it was the brainchild of Italians Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro, who relocated from Naples, Italy, to Brooklyn, New York. Their initial venture was an Italian grocery store named Salumeria in 1956, mainly focusing on serving pizza slices to shift workers needing a quick meal in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Such was the success of their pizza slices that they opened a second store in the '70s, serving pizza slicers alone, effectively marking the inception of Sbarro as a pizzeria.
Fast forward to 2007, Sbarro saw some corporate reshuffling as MidOcean Partners, a private equity firm based out of New York and London, acquired the company. You can find out more about Sbarro and its delectable menu on their official website.
What Sets Sbarro Apart?
What really makes Sbarro stand out for me is their innovative ordering system. Freshly baked whole pizzas are publicly displayed at the counter. You can either get a single slice or go all out for the whole pizza. In addition to this, they prepare pasta, salads, rice meals, and strombolis throughout the day, exhibiting them on trays for customers to see and select before reheating and serving.
I particularly love their cafeteria-style ordering system – it’s pretty straightforward. Customers queue up, pick their food, and pay to order. There's also an advanced pasta ordering system that lets customers select a base such as baked ziti or spaghetti, then choose a suitable sauce to go with it.
I must also mention that Sbarro incorporates local flavors into their menus in various locations. A standardized menu is at the core, but outlets in specific countries also feature additional menu items unique to the area, things like rice meals and desserts.
Despite the variation in menus, Sbarro’s locations remain constant. They are mainly found in shopping centers, train stations, and airports. The convenience of accessing these outlets is simply unparalleled. But they also have stand-alone restaurants in prime locations.
The standard Sbarro menu features:
- XL NY Pizza
- Stromboli
- Pasta and Salads
- Sides
The highlight, however, was the XL NY Pizza – six large slices of hand-stretched dough, freshly shredded 100% whole milk mozzarella, San Marzano-style sauce, and a variety of toppings. Their Stromboli, a sumptuous combination of 100% whole milk mozzarella with a vast selection of toppings, also deserves a mention.
Pasta lovers can look forward to Baked Ziti and Spaghetti, topped with a sauce of their choice. As for me, I am always partial to a classic Caesar salad. Paired with their world-famous breadsticks, my lunch was just perfect!
Personal favorites from the Sbarro Menu - Sausage, Pepperoni and Bacon Stromboli, NY Spinach Tomato Pizza, and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. And I must say, their NY 4-Cheese Pizza seemed to be quite popular among other customers as well!
Does Sbarro Offer Anything For Vegetarians?
Definitely. I found a range of options for vegetarians in their menu like the Spinach and Cheese Stromboli, Breadsticks, the 4-Cheese Pizza, and the NY Cheese Pizza. Sweet deal, isn't it?
Although there is no dedicated kid's menu at Sbarro, my niece tagged along and thoroughly enjoyed the Spaghetti with Meatballs. Also, their Pepperoni NY Pizza turned out to be quite a hit among the little ones.
Are Sbarro Outlets Open All Day?
The operating hours of the Sbarro outlets I visited adhered to the timings of the shopping centers or airports they were situated in. Generally, they seemed to be open from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
Can You Get Sbarro Delivered?
Yes, much to my delight, Sbarro does offer pick-up and delivery services. But I suggest checking with your nearest location or with third-party delivery services, such as Grubhub, Seamless, Postmates, Ubereats, to see if they deliver Sbarro's menu items.
Pros:
- Extensive menu with options for pizza, pasta, salads and even strombolis.
- Customizable menu items, especially the pasta ordering system and pizza toppings.
- Convenient locations in shopping centers, train stations, and airports.
- Vegetarian-friendly menu.
- Pick-up and delivery services available.
Cons:
- No designated children's menu.
- Variation in menu items might be confusing for some customers.
- Since the restaurants are placed in shopping centers and airports, the operation hours may vary.