Located in the quaint downtown Clarendon Hills, Brama La Pizza is a retro pizza joint that serves anything from panini dishes to, of course, pizza.

“I chose the location for a few reasons. One is that I came to the area a lot as a kid. Downtown Clarendon Hills also has a cozy, family friendly feel that I really like,” said Angelo Zayed, the restaurant’s owner.

Brama La Pizza is a casual and affordable restaurant. Upon walking inside, the place is cozy, consisting of leather chairs and booths, hardwood tables, and an ordering counter.

The value of this restaurant stems from its affordability. For about $5 all in, a person can get two slices of pizza and a fountain drink. That’s about as good as a meal can get on a high schooler’s budget.

“The food is great, but only if you’re willing to wait awhile for it to arrive,” said Bill Haarlow, junior.

Haarlow ordered the meat lovers pizza, which can be found under the “Specialty Pizza” category on the menu. The pizza had a generous portion of mozzarella cheese, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, and ground beef with a crisp crust. It was loaded in only the best way, a pizza not for the faint of heart.

The menu at Brama La Pizza has a myriad of dishes to choose from. Ranging from $5.45 to $26.95, you can choose from their thin crust, specialty, stuffed, or pan pizzas, or the grilled chicken parmesan from the pasta section. You are sure to be satisfied with both the price and quality of the food.

“If I could recommend one menu item, it would be the grilled burger focaccia,” Zayed said.

Brama La Pizza also has an emphasis on family dining. Their family-friendly atmosphere and humorous kids menu, which includes titles such as the “IDK What I Want,” “I’m Not Hungry,” and “I Don’t Want Anything,” each for $4.95, have made the place a local family favorite.

Brama La Pizza is located at 34 South Prospect Avenue, Clarendon Hills Illinois, 60514.