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CHEAP EATS: Victor's Italian Restaurant



Stained-glass windows, gourmet food and an extensive wine list make Victor's Italian Restaurant a fancy find outside the city.

The building itself, which used to serve as a church for the Green Hill Evangelical Association in the early 1900s, is a beautiful distraction for diners who appreciate the architecture. Executive Chef George Sheffer uses fresh ingredients from local farms, including those in Shrewsbury, Hellam and Fawn Grove, and hand-packed meat from Philadelphia. The Philadelphia sausage is a popular choice, Sheffer said. These ingredients are key to preparing dishes "the George way."

"We really try to build a lot of flavor," Sheffer said.

Everything is made to order. Sometimes, Sheffer even waits until salad plates are cleared before preparing a meal.

"We have a different way that we like to cook," Sheffer said. "It's a little bit of magic."

"Even though it costs a little more to get local and organic ingredients, including basil and beets, it really kind of adds an extra touch instead of using pre-packaged, preservative-packed options," owner Zach St. John said.

For those looking for the gourmet food without a high price, lunch might be the best time to visit Victor's. Sandwiches range from $7 to $15 and most look similar to the entrée options. For example, an eggplant parmesan sandwich is $7, while the dinner entrée is $17. Plus, anytime customers come to eat, they can choose from roughly 100 different craft beer options, a hearty wine list and several cocktails.

"It's a nice, cozy church atmosphere," St. John said. "The quiet dining experience is great for a business lunch."

From my experience dining one Saturday evening, Victor's is a perfect date night for couples looking to splurge. Wednesday night is the best night for couples, when a dinner for two includes a small plate, entrée and dessert for $40.

During the summer, café seating is available out front near hybrid olive trees, but I chose to take in the ambiance inside. Fresh hot bread came before dinner.

I ordered the seafood cannelloni. A smoky tomato sauce covered nearly foot-long pasta rolls that tasted baked by the outside crunch. Each roll was packed with tender seafood and the plate looked set for display.

The Victor's dining experience is best suited for those looking to make a meal social and delectable.

Cheap Eats profiles local restaurants, aiming to please our palates and our wallets. Reach Ashley May at 717-771-2053; amay@ydr.com; @AshleyMayTweets.

If you go

LOCATION: Victor's Italian Restaurant, 544 S. Ogontz St., York

CUISINE: Italian

ASHLEY'S PICK: Seafood cannelloni, $25

PARKING: Off-street

HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

PRICE RANGE: $6 to $32

ALCOHOL: Yes

SMOKING: No

ACCEPTS: Cash and credit

TAKEOUT: Yes

KID'S MENU: Yes

DETAILS: Visit www.victorsofyork.com or call 717-854-7958