Benny Sorrentino’s is a pizza place located just south of East Market Street in Harrisonburg. This artsy restaurant is everything one could desire when looking for the perfect amount of pizza and an atmosphere for college students to enjoy.
Benny’s is a small chain found in 11 different locations in Virginia and seven additional locations in West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Each location has unique menu items.
Many of the locations can be found close to college campuses. For example, Blacksburg, home of the Hokies from Virginia Tech, has two different Benny’s locations, Benny Marzano’s and Benny’s Delivery. No matter which location, the only thing larger than your smile is your slice of pizza.
Walk through the doors and the atmosphere automatically draws you in. Benny’s is laid back and chill, offering the perfect relaxing location to grab a slice.
The hours are late. Most nights Benny’s doesn’t close until midnight; on Fridays and Saturdays closing time is 2:30 a.m.
With a large, colorful horse mural dancing across the entrance way and the upbeat music in the background, it’s clear that this is an ideal location for college students.
Pizza slices are larger than a face. With slices either $4 or $5 for cheese or pepperoni, it’s impossible to ignore the steal.
If a challenge sounds better than a relaxing meal, then Benny’s also has a one-hour pizza challenge. Amateur eaters pay for a challenge pizza and have to finish it in the allotted time. If the challenger is able to do so, win $500.
After trying to find a place to eat Sunday night, my good friend and I stumbled across Benny Sorrentino’s. We ordered our slices and took in our surroundings. The two of us sat at the bar against the window. As new customers entered, we were struck by the icy air from outside. Once the door finally closed again, the scent of pizza exploded from the ovens, and I realized that I was hungrier than I originally thought.
I just came for a late slice of pepperoni pizza. The wait for my slice took less than five minutes, perfect for my growling stomach. We had to walk up to the counter to retrieve the treat. Each slice needs two plates just to hold it up, and my slice had 10 slices of pepperoni, perfectly arranged, across the pizza. Four at the top row, three next, two, and then one right where I took my first bite.
Upon first glance, I could tell that the slice was greasy, but with the amount of pizza on those two flimsy plates, that was a small cancelation for what came next. With the bitter cold raging outside, this warm, gooey goodness was exactly what I needed.
The melty cheese accompanied the crisp crust delicately. This balancing act is what perfect pizzas master, and Benny’s did not disappoint. I was left wanting more of the goodness, but my stomach was too full to order another slice.
After I crunched into the final section of crust, I was left beyond satisfied.
Benny’s is located at 64 S Mason St. here in downtown Harrisonburg.