A craving for pizza should not be taken lightly. Sure, you could always stop by a tired chain or even grab something from the frozen section that qualifies as decent pizza, but why settle? For a novelty pizza experience that’s as entertaining as it is delicious, head to Benny Capitale’s, named for North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh. Benny’s, while technically a chain, doesn’t feel like it; every location pays homage to its unique town. The Raleigh locale can be found on Fayetteville Street, almost exactly halfway between the Capitol Building and the Raleigh Times. And its claim to fame is a slice so big it requires two plates.
Benny Capitale’s menu highlights pizza by the slice, but we’re not just talking ordinary slices here. Each individual piece of pizza comes from a 28-inch pie. The result is an epic pizza journey that’s big on flavor and fun. The logistics of eating a slice of pizza this size are a bit challenging, but rest assured, the quality is there in every bite.
Benny’s started in Virginia by a man called Benedito. Born in Italy and raised in Brooklyn, he eventually landed in a small Eastern Shore town near the Virginia coast. He built a humble brick oven on his back porch and began making pizzas for his neighborhood. He remains anonymous, yet his culinary spirit is alive and well in every Benny’s location. Today, there are dozens of Benny’s locations, each one as committed to its local neighborhood as the original Benedito.
Quality is key at Benny’s, and Benny Capitale’s is no exception. The flour, tomatoes, cheese, and meats are sourced thoughtfully, ensuring the best taste possible. One thing I appreciate about the menu is that it’s not overwhelming; you’ll find just a handful of toppings like Italian sausage, pepperoni, or garlic and mushrooms. Oh, and don’t forget the cup of garlic dipping sauce!
Another place where Benny’s shines? The price. For just $5, you can enjoy a giant slice of cheese pizza, and it’s enough food to keep you full for a while. For a few extra dollars, you can make it a combo meal. If you’re expecting company, you can order a 28-inch pie, made just how you like it.
And while the giant slices are memorable, chances are, it’s the taste of the pizza that you’ll remember most. Here’s one recent diner’s take:
“The pizza is amazing, let’s start with the crust. It’s a classic New York style, thin and crispy but not burnt, it was amazing… And the cheese is what I was surprised about the most, most cheaper places cheap out on the cheese, not this place. Overall, it was wonderful, definitely going here again.”…