- Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Delivery hours are the same as the restaurant. Lunch specials are served 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Where: 355 S. Main St., Franklin
- More info: Call (937) 746-9252 or find them on Facebook at Franklin Pisanellos or follow Frpisanellos on Twitter
FRANKLIN — On any given day, if you ask a Franklin police officer, firefighter or business person to tell you the special at Pisanellos, they’ll probably be able to do so.
The pizzeria has been a popular dining spot for 28 years, and most locals have a favorite item on the menu.
“All of our food is made fresh, and you can taste the difference, so we have a lot of regular customers,” said owner Tom Combs.
Tom’s BLT salad is one such favorite, having been created by Combs with his own palette in mind. The lettuce is dressed with bacon slices, tomato, hard-boiled egg and croutons and is topped with a hot bacon dressing similar to what is served on hot slaw.
Two of the favorite sub sandwiches are the Steak, Mushroom and Swiss and the Italian Sub, which was also created by Combs. It’s a compilation of deli meats topped with banana peppers and pizza sauce. All subs are served in 6-inch or 12-inch portions with a side of chips.
Pisanellos is a family-owned business, and the pizza guru on staff is Comb’s son Brian. Having grown up at the restaurant, he began creating his favorite pizzas as a kid.
“I liked the Ninja Turtles when I was about 12, so I created my own marshmallow and pepperoni pizza because that’s what they ate, and I still create new pizzas all the time,” Brian said.
While Pisanellos pizzas typically include basic toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and onions, Brian’s specialty pizzas have included the Philly cheese, which won 12th place at last year’s National Pizza and Ice Cream show. The mashed potato pizza and pizza topped with mac and cheese are other customer favorites.
Brian is currently working on a Thanksgiving Day creation that’s topped with turkey and all the fixings.
The restaurant also features The Reaper, a 28-inch pizza that equals four large pies and serves 12 to 15 people.
For fans of “all you can eat” offers, Pisanellos will give The Reaper to any two customers who can eat it with at least three toppings in 30 minutes. Combs said only a few have ever been able to do it.
In addition to pizza and subs, Pisanellos has daily lunch specials as well as monthly meal features that include dishes such as baked chicken with rice and pulled pork.
Pisanellos owners also operate a catering company on site, and their three-story building has several banquet rooms that can be rented. The third-floor ballroom has 18-foot ceilings and is suitable for large parties of up to 220. Two rooms on the second floor are smaller and seat 50 and 70, respectively. They’re typically used for corporate meetings and smaller events.
The owners recommend renting the rooms as early as possible, as they usually book events several months in advance.
Free WiFi and carry-out are available at Pisanellos, and the restaurant offers delivery to Franklin, Carlisle and parts of Springboro with a $10 minimum order and $2 delivery charge. A build-your-own pizza menu is offered to kids younger than 10, and Pepsi products are available.
Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com.
About the Author