Mannino's Pizzeria
43362 US-27, Davenport, FL 33837
43362 US-27, Davenport, FL 33837
I love Mannino's. I've spent many a lunch there enjoying a couple slices and a Coke. I have more than a few fond memories eating there with friends and family.
Located off of Hwy 27 in a little shopping center, sandwiched between a Western Outfitters and an uber cheesy Disney souvenir store, sits Mannino's Pizzeria.
This is one of my favorite New York style pizza joints in the area, and it's authentic through and through. 99% of the time, they have a big Sicilian pie fresh out of the oven, along with their standard hand tossed New York pies ready to go.
Sicilian slices are everything you'd want in that style of pizza. Thick crust that's not chewy, with an exquisite taste to the dough. You only get that kind of flavor profile from a nice slow fermentation time.
You get a little bit of crispiness and crunch when you're finishing your slice off. The sauce is simple, and the cheese is of good quality. True comfort food at its finest.
Their hand tossed slices are nothing to shake a stick at either. It's exactly what you would expect in an authentic New York style slice. A crispy under crust from the deck oven with just the right amount of char, a nice taste to the dough, and again.. great quality toppings.
Finally, the prices are more than fair. My Sicilian slice, pepperoni slice, and can of Coke only set me back around six bucks.
As I sit eating my lunch in this joint, I can't help but feel zen while looking around the quaint little Pizzeria. One such afternoon a few years back, there were several locals sitting in silence with their eyes glued to the television that was giving minute-by-minute updates on Hurricane Dorian.
It was like we were all connected, none of us knowing what to expect, all of us having that unnerving feeling of the unknown, and taking some solace in enjoying our pizza, a food that brings so many people comfort and joy.
The whole Pizzeria is modest and unassuming and they don't try to be anything that they aren't. From the giant handwritten menu board, New York sports team decorations on the wall, and the serve yourself drink cooler, it really does look like a pizza joint that would be located somewhere in New York.
Writing this blog post about Mannino's takes me back several years prior, when hurricane Irma made its way across central Florida. Mannino's was one of the only places in that section of Davenport that still had power the day after Irma hit.
Writing this blog post about Mannino's takes me back several years prior, when hurricane Irma made its way across central Florida. Mannino's was one of the only places in that section of Davenport that still had power the day after Irma hit.
Believe you me, many in the community found their way to Mannino's for some post-hurricane comfort food. The line was wrapped around the building with people waiting to get pizza, subs, pasta, or pretty much anything that they had available.
I haven't got up to that end of Davenport for awhile, but I will make my way over there very soon. When I do, I'll make sure to post the deliciousness to my twitter and instagram for all to drool over.