Looking for a yummy Italian meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Italian restaurants around Charlotte, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings.
1. Tony's Pizza
Topping the list is Tony's Pizza. Located at 9548 Mt. Holly Huntersville Road in North Lake, this is the highest-rated budget-friendly Italian restaurant in Charlotte, boasting 4.5 stars out of 111 reviews on Yelp.
The chain also has locations in Galleria Boulevard, University City, Ballantyne, Mooresville and Mountain View, per its website. Check out the Sicilian pizza, with toppings including pepperoni, sausage, beef, Canadian bacon, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and black olives.
2. Benny Pennello's
Next up is North Charlotte's Benny Pennello's, situated at 2909 N. Davidson St., Suite 100. With four stars out of 250 reviews on Yelp, the Italian spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option.
The restaurant group has several other locations along the East Coast. On the local menu, look for four types of pizza, including cheese, pepperoni, sliced sausage and garlic mushroom, monthly specials and dozens of beers.
3. Nothing But Noodles
Nothing But Noodles, an Italian and Asian fusion spot in Elizabeth, is another affordable go-to, with four stars out of 85 Yelp reviews. The chain has restaurants in Alabama as well as North Carolina.
The menu includes basil pesto — farfalle pasta tossed with fresh mushrooms, tomatoes and basil pesto cream sauce, and garnished with grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Head over to 1605 Elizabeth Ave. to see for yourself.
4. Luigi's Pizza
Then there's Luigi's Pizza, which has earned four stars out of 73 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Italian spot in Steele Creek by heading over to 13551 Steelecroft Parkway, Suite 100.
Menu specialties include spaghetti, baked lasagnas, ravioli, ziti and eggplant parmigiana.
Yelp reviewer Al P. had high praise for the pizzeria: "You can tell from the moment you walk in and smell the aroma of great food and see the owner hand tossing [pizzas] into the air, that this will be amazing. Hot, perfectly cooked with just the right amount of topping and sauce, the flavors of my pepperoni, sausage and onion pizza were on top of a perfectly cooked slice!"
