Get stuffed at Parma Pizza

I saved an e-mail from two years ago that suggested I stop by Parma Pizza in Spring Garden Township for stuffed pizza.

When a fellow cheap eater and I were looking to meet near York College for lunch, I thought of that e-mail and suggested Parma. I was interested to see this stuffed pizza.

We met at 12:30 p.m. on a recent weekday.

The booths were overflowing, and the employees behind the counter were cranking out pizza slices

The deal is a slice of stuffed pizza and a soda for $5.29. Stuffed pizza is nothing like a normal slice of pizza - it's loaded with ingredients sandwiched between two crusts.

There was a list of 12 stuffed-pizza varieties to choose from, such as cheesesteak, chicken parmesan and bacon cheeseburger.

A stuffed veggie-melt pizza was in the case. It was piled high with colorful vegetables, and I couldn't resist.

We both ordered the lunch special. When the pizza was handed to me, my hand dropped a few inches. It felt like I was carrying a brick.

We ate the pizza with a knife and a fork because it was so weighed down.

I polished off the pizza, crust and all, and wasn't hungry until dinner.

Owner Anthony Sottasante said to make the stuffed pizza, they stretch out a dough ball and load it with toppings and a cheese filling.

Then, they stretch out another dough ball and put it on top.

But Parma makes more than stuffed pizza. It has specialty pizzas like Holiday (garlic sauce, mozzarella, spinach, broccoli and tomatoes), pesto pizza and steak ranchero (ranch dressing, spice, steak, sweet peppers and mushrooms).

Sottasante said the panini and pasta salad lunch special for $5.95 is popular and the strombolis are "out of this world."

Most of the lunch clientele are college students and employees from the surrounding businesses.

Sottasante said they have a location at 220 Maple St., Manchester (266-1900) and two in Lancaster (Landisville and New Holland Pike).

I recommend checking out your favorite variety of stuffed pizza. It's the largest and thickest slice I have ever seen.

Cheap Eats is a biweekly column on local restaurants' meals for less than $10. Reach Wade Malcolm at 771-2101 or wmalcolm@ydr.com.

If you go

LOCATION: 905 Grantley Road, Spring Garden Township

CUISINE: Pizza

NICKI'S PICK: Stuffed pizza and a soda for $5.29

PARKING: Free parking available on the street

HOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

PRICE RANGE: Lunch specials range from $4.50 to $7.99

ALCOHOL: No

ACCEPTS: Cash and major credit cards

TAKEOUT: Available and local delivery

KID'S MENU: None

DETAILS: 849-6445