By: Drew Troutman
Although the fall semester started just a few weeks ago, many Bellarmine students are likely growing tired of eating at the University Dining Hall. Luckily for us Knights, Bellarmine’s location in the Highlands offers a wide selection of outstanding locally owned restaurants to try.
College students are known to live on pizza, and those searching for a slice will have no trouble finding options on Bardstown Road. For anyone seeking an alternative to the ordinary pizza chain, Impellizzeri’s Pizza serves a delicious, affordable pie.
Located at 1381 Bardstown Road, Impellizzeri’s has been a Louisville favorite since 1979. Founder Benny Impellizzeri wanted to separate himself from competitors by creating his own signature style of pizza, leading to the Louisville-style pizza made up of two layers of toppings and two layers of cheese.
The Impellizzeri’s menu features a variety of affordable, sharable items, making it the perfect place for cash-strapped college students. Most of their 12-inch specialty pizzas, which feed up to three people, cost somewhere in the ballpark of $19. You can also create your own pizza for around $10.
When I last visited Impellizzeri’s on Bardstown Road, I ordered a 12-inch pizza with pepperoni and green peppers. The toppings were fresh, and the thick, rich sauce added a unique taste that made this pie stand out from others.
If you’re in the mood for something other than pizza, Impellizzeri’s still has you covered. Their garlic-flavored breadsticks make for an excellent appetizer that only costs $6. Impellizzeri’s also serves salads, wings, pastas and submarine sandwiches, all of which are reasonably priced.
The atmosphere of Impellizzeri’s greatly differs from that of the typical pizza chain. The small, dimly lit pizzeria is decorated with old photographs and memorabilia, giving it the feel of a big city hole-in-the-wall joint. Swing music plays over the speakers, providing a refreshing change of pace from the ordinary pop music heard in most restaurants.
In my experience, the Impellizzeri’s employees have always been very friendly. It normally takes the staff roughly 15-20 minutes to prepare the pizza, but the moderate wait time doesn’t detract from the overall experience.
Situated just one mile from campus, Impellizzeri’s is a quick drive or walk away for Bellarmine students. Unlike many places on Bardstown Road, Impellizzeri’s has its own parking lot behind the building, meaning students with a fear of parallel parking can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Impellizzeri’s location on Bardstown Road is open Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday through Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
You can follow Impellizzeri’s Pizza on Twitter at @impellizzeris and on Instagram at @theoriginalimpellizzeris.