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OK - we "pulled the trigger" today and tried Cecil's.
Not exactly dining in, but take-out. We'd noticed that their Sunday specials included 'Buy One-Get One Free' for their pizzas and half-price for their garlic knots. So we took advantage; figuring it would provide 2 meals for today plus leftovers for our very busy schedules tomorrow.
I placed the order by phone - very friendly and helpful staff noted.
When I arrived, I noticed (hard to tell when driving by in traffic) that they have two patios with outside seating - a smaller one in front of the ice cream portion closer to the road, and a rather large patio along the left side in front of the restaurant entrance.
PLENTY of parking. Lined spaces on both sides of the building, plus a large parking lot further over on the left side.
The main restaurant entrance leads into a medium-size dining room with a modest counter with some stools and serving/pick-up area just to the side of the entrance. The entire interior is bright, well laid-out, and quite clean-appearing. A friendly greeting presented by all staff.
So much for all that; I pay, I leave - and now let's talk about the FOOD once I got home.
As transplanted Yankees with Pennsylvania roots, my wife and I always seek what is up-there known as a "mean" Italian pizza.
If you're looking for pizza that is bland, dry, lacking ingredients, has overly soft or hard crust, etc - then Cecil's will NOT be to your liking. But if you, like us, are seeking a "mean" pizza - Cecil's should suit you just fine.
It's a thin-crust pizza that's not skimpy with the sauce at all. The crust is slightly crispy around the edges, but with a perfect texture that is far from either "mushy" or "plasticy" like many others. It's a rich and tasty red sauce. The cheese is a perfect Italian blend - and a thick layer of it. There are just enough spices and oil added to make it tasty and properly seasoned.
The garlic rolls were perfect - a sizeable portion, and with a larger-than-typical container of tasty marinara sauce included. They are rather heavy with the oil - but practically every similar good true-Italian appetizer I've ever had did as well.
Oh, and did I mention that their staff said they're all home-made ingredients?
Personally, I had no doubt anyway that (owner/local personality) Cecil Chandler would put out any product that didn't have his utmost seal of approval.
Many, many years ago - when we were first married - my wife worked at "Mario's", a PA home-town pizzeria that had by far the best Italian pizza in that region. Tonight, my wife held her thumb and index finger less than a silly millimeter apart and stated "it's this far from Mario's pizza".
Our plans - which I relayed to the lady who took care of us at the counter - are to return for dining-in some time before Christmas, when our schedules allow it (she's working until 9PM this week, then day shift over the holiday weeks).
When we do, I'll post an update on the menu items (I promise not to write a book then - maybe)...
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