A Little (Calzone) Slice of Heaven
Barbato’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
A Restaurant Review
Having lived in this area for most of my life, Barbato’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (Whew! Is it me or is that a mouthful?), was always on my bucket list to try.
Then, I’d begun driving past the place, just off I-90, while heading to my slave job on Sunday in Erie (Apparently, the six days a week I was working just wasn’t enough for my employer, so why not add another, right?)
Anyhow, after a long, wet day, I decided to give Barbato’s a try and ordered some takeout.
When I called, the guy said to give him 30 minutes.
I’m the only one here, he explained.
Five minutes to get there and 20 minutes later after playing on my phone, I went in to pick up my supper.
While the counter person was finishing up my order, I walked upstairs, curious to see the dining room and was charmed to see a quaint, though empty space (see picture) that I wouldn’t mind dining in someday.
As an appetizer, I wanted something different well, at least it sounded different: a Combo Ball. Composed of salami, cappicola, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and dressing, it was surrounded in a pepperoni ball.
A confusing culinary misnomer if ever there was one, the ball was actually just a warm bun, and, try as I might as I ate it, discovered no pepperoni.
Huh?
Nonetheless, the round, warm, slightly spicy sandwich, though more to be expected in a hoagie bun, hit the spot on a cold, rainy day.
Promising to eat healthy (one of my few 2024 resolutions left standing), I also ordered a medium Grilled Steak Salad.
Lettuce, shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses and black olives, these ingredients were buried under a thick, warm layer of well-shredded steak. Topped with Ranch dressing, the medium size portion was more than enough for me.
Finally, what would a visit to an authentic Italian eatery be without dining on something truly Italian?
The Nightmare Calzone I ordered was a plump, several– pieced pie chock-full of pepperoni, meatball, Ricotta Cheese and sweet peppers, and an ample side of tomato sauce for dipping.
So plentiful was the calzone, I subsisted on it for three days.
And each night I slept like a baby!
Ample portions. Tasty classic food. Small wonder that Barbato’s has been a destination for the Erie area since 1955.
***The Lunch Lady
Barbato’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is located at 7472 Perry Hwy, Erie. For more information, visit Barbartos.com
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