***1/2 of 4
The Village has had many restaraunts come and go in recent years due to various economic reasons. The latest addition to campus food is Romo's Pizza, in the old King Gyro's Village Grill building (intersection of University and McKinley Avenue). They may have the real estate, but do they fill the shoes? And how will do they compare with other village dining establishments? Kasey Bradley and Chad Yoder went to find out for the first installment of The Food Dudes.
Kasey: First off, let's start with competition. How do you feel Romo's stacks up against the million other pizza restaraunts out there?
Chad: I think that Romo's surpasses many of the chain pizza joints that populate Muncie, which isn't a whole lot. Since the passing of Pizza Magia, the only chains left are Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa John's. Romo's easily bests all three.
Kasey: I whole-heartedly agree. The thing that makes Romo's great is the constant availability of single slices. Sbarro's in the Atrium offers this, but while the slices are as big I don't think the taste is as good. Greek's (in the village) offers the same single slice deal, and while it is delicious Romo's definitely has the slice size advantage.
Chad: Exactly. A single slice of pizza outside Greek's will cost about $2.50. For only eleven cents more, Romo's offers up a slice that's about twice the size. Definitely more bang for your buck. Plus, Greek's only allows a person to buy single slices late at night on the weekends. Romo's offers them all the time.
Kasey: Right on. Plus, the menu offers almost as many options. Not only pizza, but sandwiches, pasta and calzones. The place may just give other village establishments a run for their money, but how about the environment? I know they haven't had much of an opportunity to revamp the interior, nor do I know if they're going to, but it's still got the good atmosphere - it just feels college.
Chad: This isn't the kind of place that anybody's going to go for anniversary dinners, but it doesn't need to be that. As it is, I can walk in on a Friday dressed to the nines, or on a Saturday afternoon in my hangover sweatpants. With the food as filling as it is here, I'll probably be opting for the sweatpants.
Kasey: Yes. An elastic waistband is essential for servings this big. Two slices and I'm done for. I am actually suprised - for the money I spent I felt like I had two meals after just one. A miracle? No, but close.
Chad: The menu says "jumbo slices," and it means just that: gigantic slices. A lot of that can be contributed to the crust. It has been said that a perfect crust is the key to a perfect pizza. Romo's delivers in this category. This is not the standard rubbery thin-crust fare. It's a regular thickness crust, only crisp at the bottom, but still kind of chewy in the middle.
Kasey: It was really good, but I do have a few gripes. For one, when we got there they didn't have all of the menu items available. For two, it was the most effort I've put into eating any type of food. With a slice this big you would only figure gravity would play a role in your dining experience, not take the lead! I spent more time balancing my pizza than eating it.
Chad: I eventually had to resort to the foldover method, a.k.a. "the pizza burrito." But the stuffed pizza can't be eaten this way. I would have preferred a fork for the initial half, but I was so enthralled by the deliciousness that I didn't want to get up and ask for one.
Kasey: I was glued to my seat. That or I was just too tired to get up after attempting the meal. Two slices was just too much for me.
Chad: Agreed. One slice, a breadstick or two, and a soda should be enough for any normal person.
Kasey: Finally, let's talk about the hours. Romo's is currently open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. They could definitely benefit from staying up later to attract the bar crowd that misses their LaBamba's. Skip the burrito as big as your head - go for the slice!
Chad: Romo's would definitely benefit from extended hours on the weekends. So would many of the bar-hoppers crowding the village. Hopefully we'll see them open later sometime in the near future.
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