Review: Benny Deluca’s: Big Pizza in C-ville

MaKayla Grapperhaus, staff writer

Pizza is a big deal here in Charlottesville, Virginia. At Benny Deluca’s, the pizza is big enough to satisfy even the most hungry college student. Located on West Main Street, just a short walk from the University of Virginia, Benny Deluca’s offers pizza enthusiasts a real treat. Calling themselves “Home of the Virginia slice,” Benny’s doesn’t disappoint when it comes to serving up a slice.

With single slices, which are the size of two dinner plates at the price of just $5 for one topping or $4 for cheese, this is a deal that everyone in Charlottesville can get excited about.

Benny’s makes a monstrous 28-inch pizza for between $28 and $35 depending on the toppings. It is a great deal, but good luck getting it out the door or into your car for that matter. With custom-sized pizza boxes larger than most coffee tables, carrying a pizza back to your own place maybe a job for two people, but it is all part of the experience.

If you’re feeling really brave, you can take on The Benny’s Challenge, and eat an entire 28-inch pizza by yourself in less than an hour and win $500.

Part of the experience at Benny’s is the unique atmosphere. While the pizzas are big at Benny’s, the place itself is much smaller than the surrounding pizza joints in Charlottesville. Walking into the white brick building, the first thing to notice is how small the dining area is. With few window seating, three booths and two tables, a large percentage of Benny’s space is dedicated to its large ovens, behind the counter where all the main action takes place.

The minimalistic fashion, along with the abstract paintings on their walls, gives Benny’s a cool retro vibe. The service at Benny’s is always great and really fast. If you order a single slice, the wait will be no longer than 10 minutes, while a whole pizza will be done in about 20 minutes.

Whether you order a slice or go all out and order a whole pizza, Benny’s is sure to hit the spot. It’s classic pizza, a thin crust, tomato sauce, and cheese (plus a topping if you choose). It’s the way pizza should be and it tastes great.

Have a late night craving? Benny’s is open until midnight during the weekdays, 2 a.m. Thursdays, and 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. So the next time you’re hungry and an average sized pizza isn’t quite enough, stop by at Benny Deluca’s and feast on a gigantic slice or a whole pizza if you dare.