Spaghetti is the most classic pasta dish in America. At some local restaurants, the famous noodle is getting joined with other food elements for mashups that diners love.
Among those venues is New Kensington’s Knead Community Cafe, where a toasted sandwich filled with fried spaghetti and melted cheese has become a big hit. Chef Carlo Cimino created the sandwich from childhood memories.
“I grew up having Italian Sunday dinners. Monday was always leftovers. Everyone at school wanted my lunch because it was meatballs or a fried spaghetti sandwich,” said Cimino, who was raised in New Kensington and now lives in Arnold.
He frys the spaghetti in butter until it’s crispy and serves it between buttery Texas toast with mozzarella cheese on both bread halves.
The hearty sandwich was recently featured as a special. Cimino is considering adding it to the menu full time.
“Nobody has ever really had this,” Cimino said. “I’ve been eating this all my life. When I make it, we sell a ton.”
He calls this Italian sandwich perfect for wintertime: “It’s comfort.”
Knead Cafe, a nonprofit run by volunteers, operates on a pay-what-you-can model.
Knead Community Cafe: 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, 878-847-7997, kneadcommunitycafe.org
J&S Pizza, Harrison
At family-owned J&S Pizza, the spaghetti pizza has been on the menu for decades, thanks to Nonna.
The original mastermind — Cathy Malvone— is behind all of the specialty pizzas there. She’s petite, polite and pizza-savvy.
“Caterina Malvone — my mother — it all started with her. She added spaghetti pizza during the 1970s,” said co-owner Debora Malvone of Buffalo Township.
The Spaghetti Pizza — not made with leftovers — is baked with spaghetti, marinara sauce and lots of romano cheese. It’s been a hit with customers since its inception.
Manager Vincenzo Schiano di Cola is a grandson of Nonna. He said customers clamor for the unique pie because of the made-fresh-daily marinara sauce, hand-shredded mozzarella and Italian pecorino Romano cheese.
“They love it for its uniqueness. Very seldom do you see any kind of pasta on a pizza, especially around these parts,” Schiano di Cola said.
J&S Pizza, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in March, has a loyal following.
“Our secret to success lies in top-notch ingredients that we haven’t changed since the beginning,” Debora Malvone said.
J&S Pizza: 1828 Union Ave., Natrona Heights in Harrison, 724-224-9906, jandspizza.com
Giannilli’s I, Greensburg
Italian staple dining spot Giannillli’s I added spaghetti & meatball pizza as an occasional special. But if a customer has a hankering for the pasta-meets-pizza dish when it’s not on the menu, owner Linda Giannilli will make it happen.
“Let me know,” said Giannilli, matriarch of the family-owned and -operated casual Italian restaurants.
They began with a small shop housed in a former gas station. Her sons operate Giannilli’s II, also in Greensburg.
The pie originated when some employees experimented with angel hair pasta and marinara on pizza. It proved tasty. Customers have embraced the pizza/pasta combo.
“It’s a newer addition for us. The customers love it,” Giannilli said.
Homemade pizza dough is made daily. Some customers like to order their pie without meatballs, with just the marinara and angel hair pasta.
“It has it all, the crispy crust and the spaghetti. It’s a great combination,” Giannilli said.
Giannilli’s I: 408 Thomas School Road, Greensburg, 724-853-6600, giannillis1.com
Capri Restaurant, Harrison
Capri has been serving spaghetti pizza since 1991.
Manager Daniela Barone said some customers are surprised to see the menu listing — while others know exactly what it is.
“They are either obsessed with it — they only come in for the spaghetti pizza — or they think it’s the wildest thing they’ve ever seen,” Barone said. “The kids love it. It’s filling.”
Barone said teenage employees at Capri also love the spaghetti pizza. For many, it’s their go-to order during a shift.
Some customers like to add pepperoni or other toppings. The personal spaghetti pizza ($10) is the most popular size.
“The basil is a nice touch but some people pick it off,” Barone said. “But it’s so good. Just try it.”
Capri Restaurant: 2103 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights in Harrison, 724-224-1187, caprirestaurantmenu.com