Thankfully, Sal's is NOT playing down to the low bar set by most of its competition. For what outwardly presents itself as a pizza shop, Sal's definitely has its phasers set to "ambitious." The food is quite good overall, with a surprising variety of Italian dishes and attention to quality ingredients, like San Marzano tomatoes in select dishes. It's tough for pizza parlors to score points - they usually only get dinged for screw-ups - but Sal's puts in extra effort and it shows. I frequently choose this place over others in the area. NOTE: The stars you see above this review are 'pizza parlor' stars and do not carry the same weight as those accorded to haute cuisine or fine dining establishments. Regardless, they are well-deserved. Thank you. Thankyouverymuch...
(4)
Sara B.
Great cheesesteaks and friendly staff. So happy we found this place on our way out of Philadelphia.
(5)
Ann Marie D.
Best pizza in Lionville! Thin crust , tasty sauce and nice staff. We have tried the meatballs, hoagies, steak sandwiches and they are all tasty. Unassuming location with outstanding food!
(4)
Jeff D.
Saw a lot of positive reviews so hopped in. Was disappointed. Ordered slice of cheese and slice of white and both were thin with hardly any flavor and overly greasy. Maybe the platters or speciality pizza is good but the traditional was really lacking.
(2)
Cindy K.
This is only my favorite pizza place EVER! I've been going to Sal's for as long as I have lived in the Chester Country area (so about 15 years). The food is always consistently good, whether it's lunchtime and I stop in for a quick slice of cheesesteak pizza, or if it's for dinner and I order one of their huge entrees (I always have leftovers - sweet, I don't have to think about preparing lunch the next day). Another aspect of Sal's that I'm not sure everyone is aware of is that they have a spectacular catering service. I have hosted three parties in which I used Sal's to provide the food. Michelle (Vince's wife) runs the show as far as the catering business is concerned. When I've contacted her about scheduling a catering job she has provided such great service - suggesting the appropriate amount of food based on the number of guests, recommending certain appetizers and entrees that go well together, and the food has always been prepared and ready for pick-up on the time upon which we agreed. The warm foods were placed in covered foil trays that I was able to just pop into my buffet and keep warm by sternos, and extra sauces were also provided (salad dressing, pasta sauces, etc). In the past year the refurbished the inside of the restaurant/dine-in area so it's much more cozy and has less of the usual pizza shop feel.
(4)
Mike C.
Sal's has been my local go-to pizza place now for 10-15 years whenever I am in town. Great spot for pizza, cheesesteaks, and hoagies. I have yet to be disappointed.
(5)
David D.
The Good: Fast service, many slice pies The Bad: seating, a bit expensive Tried this joint out for lunch today with a buddy and ordered 2 medium sodas, a 16" pepperoni pizza, and an app of loaded fries (3 cheeses, bacon, and a side of ranch) all for $26 and change. When you walk in you are warmly greeted and your order is placed at the counter. There are a bunch of pies there for folks that want to order by the slice, but we dined in. After getting our drinks we took a seat and about five minutes later had the app delivered. The fries were great! There was a good sized portion with plenty of cheese. Maybe another 2 minutes later the pie was delivered. Now that has always been a big no no for me. Give me a chance to at least eat half of my appetizer before bringing the entree. The Neapolitan style pizza was pretty greasy with a crispy edge crust, but it had no special flavor either good or bad. Lastly, the booth seating is just high-back hard benches that could use some sort of cushioning. Now there are only about 10 booths in the front so maybe the intention is to make it a little uncomfortable to keep traffic moving, but I would have preferred something a bit softer on my bottom. All and all, an average experience that I probably won't repeat.
(3)
Cheryll F.
Amazing amazing service. Say "Hello" to Michelle. She will take very good care of you. If you want real family Italian, Sal's the place to go.
(5)
Ed H.
Not much to recommend here. Cheap, tacky decor, like any cheap pizza parlor. Overbearing Italian music cranked up too loud. Had a Chicken Picatta, it was decent. Paid an "upcharge" for the side of Penne ala Vodka - lousy, soggy overdone pasta and tasteless sauce, not like any good Vodka sauce I've had. Forgetful service. Would not go back.
(1)
Tara M.
Nothing to look at on the outside, no atmosphere on the inside, but great food. And, if you're lucky, Sal will sing a song in Italian.
(5)
Andres L.
Had a Large Cheese Pizza with an order of cheese fries (mozzarella) for take out. I wasn't overly impressed with the pie but it's a good, standard pizza. The fries are topped with mozzarella cheese, which hardens (FYI). The staff was kind and entertaining, even in the few minutes I was in the restaurant.
(3)
Katie S.
Love Sals pizza! It's become a weekly go to meal at our house. Pepperoni pizza and Caesar salad to go. You can't go wrong with the delish food at Sals!! Love the team as well. Truly a family business!!
(5)
Jen M.
The service deserves more stars than Yelp is allowing. It looks like a strip mall pizza shop, it's SO much more. I'm only here (in PA) for one night and I'm so glad I stumbled into this place. Can't put coherent sentences together my pasta was so good.
(5)
Eric W.
Couple all time favorites from Sals! We LOVE the chopped broccoli and tomato pizza. On a thin crust, white sauce. When fresh and hot it's simply awesome. Recently had the Tortellini Della Mamma, a cheese filled tortellini w/ parm cream sauce and shallots, spinach and tomatoes. A new favorite! I'm even trying to replicate at home. Only recent drawback is them going to "cash only Fridays", not a fan of that.
(4)
Kat W.
Sals had been one of my family's favorite restaurants for years. We have gotten a variety of meals from here and everything is good. Real Italian food made by an actual Italian family! Pizza is good, Italian cheesesteaks (cheesesteak on garlic bread!!!) are awesome, and entrees are out of sight. Had the eggplant parm tonight and it was fresh and delicious. Came with focaccia bread and a salads and had fresh lemonade to drink. Even had peanut butter chocolate cake for dessert. So so yummy.
(5)
Ralph A.
Pizza is awesome, great authentic taste. The desserts are homemade and really good . Friendly staff makes this a place to go back to
(5)
S W.
We love this place for straightforward and authentic Italian. The food is excellent and the staff are first class. This is a real neighborhood gem This is somewhat of a pizza shop so do not expect a fancy place. It is BYOB which makes bringing your own chianti a perfect match Prices are $$ which makes this especially great. We go here frequently and I would highly recommend it
(5)
Mister S.
I decided to give it a try again. Pizza is horrible. I wasn't even sure it had sauce on it. Same old attitude from the old man.
(1)
Jane S.
Discovered this place while working in the area. Had a slice of their cheesesteak pizza. It could have been a trainwreck, it wasn't pretty. But it was delicious. I have had cheesesteak stromboli, eggrolls and even pierogies. None tasted like a cheesesteak, but this slice of pizza was a homerun. Then I saw the special board, pumpkin ravioli in a pizza shop? What is going on here? So I brought my husband back for dinner. This is a strip mall pizzeria. They do a lot of take-out and have about 10 booths. There is a state store a few doors down and I noticed a lot people bringing in a bottle of wine. The first time there was a Friday night and it was very busy and a little chaotic, but service was speedy, friendly and accurate. We enjoyed our meal. Tonight we returned for our 2nd time. They were not as busy, just steady. It is obviously a family run business, and there seemed to be a close relationship with many of the customers. As strangers, we were treated as warmly. So on to the food. Entrees come with salad and "focaccia" (repurposed pizza dough) much better than those garlic knots at other places. I know enough Italian to know that when the waitress yelled "pane per due' that she was saying bread for two. It comes with butter. The salads are simple romaine with sliced tomatoes, they ask if you want the onions, nice cause we usually push them to the side, then they do ask if you need cheese or crushed pepper that comes in the those classic pizzeria shakers. I loved their vinaigrette. The greens were fresh and well washed, surprisingly something many places do not do.. I loved it my husband was not impressed. Our entrees were delicious. We ordered the specials and they were very generous. We both had leftovers. My eggplant parm came with 3 shells stuffed with spinach and cheese. All was covered in mozzarella and one of the best red gravies I have ever tasted. I make my own manicotti and lasagna, but those shells were something special and much tastier than anything I ever made. Husband had the chicken saltimbocca and just loved it. The chicken was breaded and fried. Usually we would have preferred it sauteed for this dish, but it was so delicious this way, I wouldn't change a thing. It wasn't that generic frozen breaded patty, ti was pounded thin and hand breaded, fried in fresh oil. Just perfect. Hope you get the picture. Just don't ruin if for me cause I really like this place.
(4)
Jonathan D.
New to the area... not a great find. Not expecting NY pizza in Chester Springs, but two tiny greasy slices for $5.30??? Cut off a corner of the pie, then cut that in half to make two slices. Taste and service far from great too. Better off looking to Umami next door for some food or find another location for pizza. Sals doesn't make the cut! Bravo pizza is best in area so far. Still looking! Missing slice in the attached picture is the TWO slices served. Don't get ripped off.
(1)
Tom B.
Let's get right down to it. I've been going to this restaurant for years, and they've transformed it from your typical strip mall pizza joint to a classy Italian restaurant (without all the fuss). My personal favorite is the Chicken Francaise, so you must try it. In fact, Sal's sets the standard for this entree. I haven't found another Italian restaurant that makes it as good as Sal's, so why do I keep trying? It melts in your mouth, cuts easily with a fork (pounded fresh, not frozen), and makes your tongue say, "Amore, Amore". Everything that goes along with it, the bread, house salad, and side of pasta, is just tasty and perfect. Yesterday the owner's wife, Michelle, talked my wife and I into dessert (a rarity for us). It was her personal recipe -- handmade Peach Creme Pie. Wow! It tasted like we were eating a fresh peach off an Amish Pennsylvania farm tree; it had just the right balance of sweet and tang, and it was light in my stomach. To be honest, the real gem with this place is not just the food, but the hospitality of the owners and the friendly wait staff (which most are part of the family). That is why we keep coming back! Be sure to strike up a conversation with MicheIle. She may not look like your typical Italian, but no mistake she has Italian blood. She'll teach you all about her Italian cooking style, speaking Italian, Italian culture, or whatever floats your boat.
(5)
Crystal O.
Sals is my favorite pizza around. The crust is the perfect thickness, and there is the right amount of sauce to cheese. The sauce is not sweet- which I love. They also have amazing steak Stromboli. I usually order mine with mushrooms and onions and an extra side of sauce as my daughter loves to dip the bread ends in it too. They also allow families with children to call ahead for eat in, so that our pizza is ready when we get there! Love them!
(5)
Kristen A.
I go to Sal's every time I go home to Pennsylvania for authentic and fantastic pizza. Sal's owner is born outside of Naples and takes great pride in the craft of proper pizza. While there are a million options available, THIS is where I would go for a slice or a pie without exception. This is not Americanized pizza; it's the way it is supposed to be made and worth a trip. Hidden away places like these are always where you find the greatest gems. The restaurant is family owned and operated for years and treats its customers exceptionally well as a result. They understand that customer service is really a major distinction among pizza places - quality food, reasonable prices, with great and speedy service. In addition to their pizza, we have often had some of the pasta dishes and always a dessert :-) Run by an Italian family, you can expect the quality and simplicity of their dishes where the ingredients are the star of the show. They have amazing specials that take advantage of local, seasonal produce in classic Italian style. They also offer catering services which we have enjoyed on busy weekends and special occasions. I have never had better tiramisu, and I dream about the seasonal pumpkin ravioli! The restaurant was remodeled a few years back and has made a tremendous difference in the overall atmosphere of the place. Just writing about the place makes me want a proper cheese steak!
(5)
Matthew B.
Most of my reviews are about the places I go when I'm NOT home. Haven't Yelp'd in a while, so i figured maybe I should take some time to comment on some of the places I frequent when I am in town. Sal's qualifies as the "hole in the wall" local pizza joint. Except that I friggen' love this place. It's not Boston's north end, or South Philly family style. What it is -- is the place I turn to for real home style Italian cooking. That's saying something [ for me]. I love to cook Italian - Mario Batalli is a god [to me]. But Vince (go figure! the owner is named Vince - not Sal, but that's another story and not relevant to a review) and his wife - along wit' the "guys" that cook there deliver some of the best Italian dishes you'll get anywhere. When it comes to pizza, Sal's set the standard for me (and for my friends from out of town that revere his pizza as much as I do). It's just that good. My son is a big cheese steak fan - although I have to say that for us old-timers, Jonny's in Frazer was the original standard in this category. Nonetheless - damn fine steak sandwiches that we get on a regular basis. Ron's School house (different review) is the only close competitor in this category in the Exton locale. But let's face it - if you live in anywhere in southeastern pa, you probably have your very own, handpicked place for steak sandwiches. So why even try to convince anyone on this score? No. What sets Sal's apart is the rest of the menu. Vince is right off the boat - along with a bunch of his right hand men. The menu contains a variety of classic Italian dishes. I - of course - have some favorites. One is the scungilli salad . That's conch for those of you not familiar with the Italian name. They serve a ton of scungilli served in a mix of lettuce and chopped celery, with an olive oil-lemon dressing mixed with parsley (i think). Fantastic! My other favorite is the linguine with mussels. New Zealand greenlips - about a dozen big ones - with a traditional chunky, garlicky, olive oil marina that I could eat all on its own. Sometimes I have them add scungilli to it as well. Wow. What a belly full. This is your typical strip mall location - so not a ton of atmosphere. But if you are going to eat-in, bring your bottle o' wine and enjoy the friendly service. Speaking of which, depending on the night, Vince's wife may be doing the cooking. Then you're in luck. She seems to dictate the weekly/weekend specials - which I have NEVER been disappointed in. One example - a homemade Tuscan bean soup that was as good as anything I've had in Rome. The specials are always changing, but nobody in my family has been disappointed -- ever. Reasonable prices and a friendly "hey!" complete the picture. So if you're in Lionville, grab yourself a nice bottle of vino' from the state store in the same strip mall and enjoy some home-style Italian cooking that will have you thinking "damn - why didn't I know about this place?"
(4)
Pasquale B.
Great Italian food like Mama made with good service and nice atmosphere.
(4)
dan h.
Really good Italian food with great staff
(4)
Frank C.
Generally mediocre pizza despite other positive reviews. I asked for "extra sauce" specifically and got a pizza that was mostly cheese. Not bad, just nothing special. I'll be still searching for a better pizza in this area.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
B B.
Thankfully, Sal's is NOT playing down to the low bar set by most of its competition. For what outwardly presents itself as a pizza shop, Sal's definitely has its phasers set to "ambitious." The food is quite good overall, with a surprising variety of Italian dishes and attention to quality ingredients, like San Marzano tomatoes in select dishes. It's tough for pizza parlors to score points - they usually only get dinged for screw-ups - but Sal's puts in extra effort and it shows. I frequently choose this place over others in the area. NOTE: The stars you see above this review are 'pizza parlor' stars and do not carry the same weight as those accorded to haute cuisine or fine dining establishments. Regardless, they are well-deserved. Thank you. Thankyouverymuch...
(4)Sara B.
Great cheesesteaks and friendly staff. So happy we found this place on our way out of Philadelphia.
(5)Ann Marie D.
Best pizza in Lionville! Thin crust , tasty sauce and nice staff. We have tried the meatballs, hoagies, steak sandwiches and they are all tasty. Unassuming location with outstanding food!
(4)Jeff D.
Saw a lot of positive reviews so hopped in. Was disappointed. Ordered slice of cheese and slice of white and both were thin with hardly any flavor and overly greasy. Maybe the platters or speciality pizza is good but the traditional was really lacking.
(2)Cindy K.
This is only my favorite pizza place EVER! I've been going to Sal's for as long as I have lived in the Chester Country area (so about 15 years). The food is always consistently good, whether it's lunchtime and I stop in for a quick slice of cheesesteak pizza, or if it's for dinner and I order one of their huge entrees (I always have leftovers - sweet, I don't have to think about preparing lunch the next day). Another aspect of Sal's that I'm not sure everyone is aware of is that they have a spectacular catering service. I have hosted three parties in which I used Sal's to provide the food. Michelle (Vince's wife) runs the show as far as the catering business is concerned. When I've contacted her about scheduling a catering job she has provided such great service - suggesting the appropriate amount of food based on the number of guests, recommending certain appetizers and entrees that go well together, and the food has always been prepared and ready for pick-up on the time upon which we agreed. The warm foods were placed in covered foil trays that I was able to just pop into my buffet and keep warm by sternos, and extra sauces were also provided (salad dressing, pasta sauces, etc). In the past year the refurbished the inside of the restaurant/dine-in area so it's much more cozy and has less of the usual pizza shop feel.
(4)Mike C.
Sal's has been my local go-to pizza place now for 10-15 years whenever I am in town. Great spot for pizza, cheesesteaks, and hoagies. I have yet to be disappointed.
(5)David D.
The Good: Fast service, many slice pies The Bad: seating, a bit expensive Tried this joint out for lunch today with a buddy and ordered 2 medium sodas, a 16" pepperoni pizza, and an app of loaded fries (3 cheeses, bacon, and a side of ranch) all for $26 and change. When you walk in you are warmly greeted and your order is placed at the counter. There are a bunch of pies there for folks that want to order by the slice, but we dined in. After getting our drinks we took a seat and about five minutes later had the app delivered. The fries were great! There was a good sized portion with plenty of cheese. Maybe another 2 minutes later the pie was delivered. Now that has always been a big no no for me. Give me a chance to at least eat half of my appetizer before bringing the entree. The Neapolitan style pizza was pretty greasy with a crispy edge crust, but it had no special flavor either good or bad. Lastly, the booth seating is just high-back hard benches that could use some sort of cushioning. Now there are only about 10 booths in the front so maybe the intention is to make it a little uncomfortable to keep traffic moving, but I would have preferred something a bit softer on my bottom. All and all, an average experience that I probably won't repeat.
(3)Cheryll F.
Amazing amazing service. Say "Hello" to Michelle. She will take very good care of you. If you want real family Italian, Sal's the place to go.
(5)Ed H.
Not much to recommend here. Cheap, tacky decor, like any cheap pizza parlor. Overbearing Italian music cranked up too loud. Had a Chicken Picatta, it was decent. Paid an "upcharge" for the side of Penne ala Vodka - lousy, soggy overdone pasta and tasteless sauce, not like any good Vodka sauce I've had. Forgetful service. Would not go back.
(1)Tara M.
Nothing to look at on the outside, no atmosphere on the inside, but great food. And, if you're lucky, Sal will sing a song in Italian.
(5)Andres L.
Had a Large Cheese Pizza with an order of cheese fries (mozzarella) for take out. I wasn't overly impressed with the pie but it's a good, standard pizza. The fries are topped with mozzarella cheese, which hardens (FYI). The staff was kind and entertaining, even in the few minutes I was in the restaurant.
(3)Katie S.
Love Sals pizza! It's become a weekly go to meal at our house. Pepperoni pizza and Caesar salad to go. You can't go wrong with the delish food at Sals!! Love the team as well. Truly a family business!!
(5)Jen M.
The service deserves more stars than Yelp is allowing. It looks like a strip mall pizza shop, it's SO much more. I'm only here (in PA) for one night and I'm so glad I stumbled into this place. Can't put coherent sentences together my pasta was so good.
(5)Eric W.
Couple all time favorites from Sals! We LOVE the chopped broccoli and tomato pizza. On a thin crust, white sauce. When fresh and hot it's simply awesome. Recently had the Tortellini Della Mamma, a cheese filled tortellini w/ parm cream sauce and shallots, spinach and tomatoes. A new favorite! I'm even trying to replicate at home. Only recent drawback is them going to "cash only Fridays", not a fan of that.
(4)Kat W.
Sals had been one of my family's favorite restaurants for years. We have gotten a variety of meals from here and everything is good. Real Italian food made by an actual Italian family! Pizza is good, Italian cheesesteaks (cheesesteak on garlic bread!!!) are awesome, and entrees are out of sight. Had the eggplant parm tonight and it was fresh and delicious. Came with focaccia bread and a salads and had fresh lemonade to drink. Even had peanut butter chocolate cake for dessert. So so yummy.
(5)Ralph A.
Pizza is awesome, great authentic taste. The desserts are homemade and really good . Friendly staff makes this a place to go back to
(5)S W.
We love this place for straightforward and authentic Italian. The food is excellent and the staff are first class. This is a real neighborhood gem This is somewhat of a pizza shop so do not expect a fancy place. It is BYOB which makes bringing your own chianti a perfect match Prices are $$ which makes this especially great. We go here frequently and I would highly recommend it
(5)Mister S.
I decided to give it a try again. Pizza is horrible. I wasn't even sure it had sauce on it. Same old attitude from the old man.
(1)Jane S.
Discovered this place while working in the area. Had a slice of their cheesesteak pizza. It could have been a trainwreck, it wasn't pretty. But it was delicious. I have had cheesesteak stromboli, eggrolls and even pierogies. None tasted like a cheesesteak, but this slice of pizza was a homerun. Then I saw the special board, pumpkin ravioli in a pizza shop? What is going on here? So I brought my husband back for dinner. This is a strip mall pizzeria. They do a lot of take-out and have about 10 booths. There is a state store a few doors down and I noticed a lot people bringing in a bottle of wine. The first time there was a Friday night and it was very busy and a little chaotic, but service was speedy, friendly and accurate. We enjoyed our meal. Tonight we returned for our 2nd time. They were not as busy, just steady. It is obviously a family run business, and there seemed to be a close relationship with many of the customers. As strangers, we were treated as warmly. So on to the food. Entrees come with salad and "focaccia" (repurposed pizza dough) much better than those garlic knots at other places. I know enough Italian to know that when the waitress yelled "pane per due' that she was saying bread for two. It comes with butter. The salads are simple romaine with sliced tomatoes, they ask if you want the onions, nice cause we usually push them to the side, then they do ask if you need cheese or crushed pepper that comes in the those classic pizzeria shakers. I loved their vinaigrette. The greens were fresh and well washed, surprisingly something many places do not do.. I loved it my husband was not impressed. Our entrees were delicious. We ordered the specials and they were very generous. We both had leftovers. My eggplant parm came with 3 shells stuffed with spinach and cheese. All was covered in mozzarella and one of the best red gravies I have ever tasted. I make my own manicotti and lasagna, but those shells were something special and much tastier than anything I ever made. Husband had the chicken saltimbocca and just loved it. The chicken was breaded and fried. Usually we would have preferred it sauteed for this dish, but it was so delicious this way, I wouldn't change a thing. It wasn't that generic frozen breaded patty, ti was pounded thin and hand breaded, fried in fresh oil. Just perfect. Hope you get the picture. Just don't ruin if for me cause I really like this place.
(4)Jonathan D.
New to the area... not a great find. Not expecting NY pizza in Chester Springs, but two tiny greasy slices for $5.30??? Cut off a corner of the pie, then cut that in half to make two slices. Taste and service far from great too. Better off looking to Umami next door for some food or find another location for pizza. Sals doesn't make the cut! Bravo pizza is best in area so far. Still looking! Missing slice in the attached picture is the TWO slices served. Don't get ripped off.
(1)Tom B.
Let's get right down to it. I've been going to this restaurant for years, and they've transformed it from your typical strip mall pizza joint to a classy Italian restaurant (without all the fuss). My personal favorite is the Chicken Francaise, so you must try it. In fact, Sal's sets the standard for this entree. I haven't found another Italian restaurant that makes it as good as Sal's, so why do I keep trying? It melts in your mouth, cuts easily with a fork (pounded fresh, not frozen), and makes your tongue say, "Amore, Amore". Everything that goes along with it, the bread, house salad, and side of pasta, is just tasty and perfect. Yesterday the owner's wife, Michelle, talked my wife and I into dessert (a rarity for us). It was her personal recipe -- handmade Peach Creme Pie. Wow! It tasted like we were eating a fresh peach off an Amish Pennsylvania farm tree; it had just the right balance of sweet and tang, and it was light in my stomach. To be honest, the real gem with this place is not just the food, but the hospitality of the owners and the friendly wait staff (which most are part of the family). That is why we keep coming back! Be sure to strike up a conversation with MicheIle. She may not look like your typical Italian, but no mistake she has Italian blood. She'll teach you all about her Italian cooking style, speaking Italian, Italian culture, or whatever floats your boat.
(5)Crystal O.
Sals is my favorite pizza around. The crust is the perfect thickness, and there is the right amount of sauce to cheese. The sauce is not sweet- which I love. They also have amazing steak Stromboli. I usually order mine with mushrooms and onions and an extra side of sauce as my daughter loves to dip the bread ends in it too. They also allow families with children to call ahead for eat in, so that our pizza is ready when we get there! Love them!
(5)Kristen A.
I go to Sal's every time I go home to Pennsylvania for authentic and fantastic pizza. Sal's owner is born outside of Naples and takes great pride in the craft of proper pizza. While there are a million options available, THIS is where I would go for a slice or a pie without exception. This is not Americanized pizza; it's the way it is supposed to be made and worth a trip. Hidden away places like these are always where you find the greatest gems. The restaurant is family owned and operated for years and treats its customers exceptionally well as a result. They understand that customer service is really a major distinction among pizza places - quality food, reasonable prices, with great and speedy service. In addition to their pizza, we have often had some of the pasta dishes and always a dessert :-) Run by an Italian family, you can expect the quality and simplicity of their dishes where the ingredients are the star of the show. They have amazing specials that take advantage of local, seasonal produce in classic Italian style. They also offer catering services which we have enjoyed on busy weekends and special occasions. I have never had better tiramisu, and I dream about the seasonal pumpkin ravioli! The restaurant was remodeled a few years back and has made a tremendous difference in the overall atmosphere of the place. Just writing about the place makes me want a proper cheese steak!
(5)Matthew B.
Most of my reviews are about the places I go when I'm NOT home. Haven't Yelp'd in a while, so i figured maybe I should take some time to comment on some of the places I frequent when I am in town. Sal's qualifies as the "hole in the wall" local pizza joint. Except that I friggen' love this place. It's not Boston's north end, or South Philly family style. What it is -- is the place I turn to for real home style Italian cooking. That's saying something [ for me]. I love to cook Italian - Mario Batalli is a god [to me]. But Vince (go figure! the owner is named Vince - not Sal, but that's another story and not relevant to a review) and his wife - along wit' the "guys" that cook there deliver some of the best Italian dishes you'll get anywhere. When it comes to pizza, Sal's set the standard for me (and for my friends from out of town that revere his pizza as much as I do). It's just that good. My son is a big cheese steak fan - although I have to say that for us old-timers, Jonny's in Frazer was the original standard in this category. Nonetheless - damn fine steak sandwiches that we get on a regular basis. Ron's School house (different review) is the only close competitor in this category in the Exton locale. But let's face it - if you live in anywhere in southeastern pa, you probably have your very own, handpicked place for steak sandwiches. So why even try to convince anyone on this score? No. What sets Sal's apart is the rest of the menu. Vince is right off the boat - along with a bunch of his right hand men. The menu contains a variety of classic Italian dishes. I - of course - have some favorites. One is the scungilli salad . That's conch for those of you not familiar with the Italian name. They serve a ton of scungilli served in a mix of lettuce and chopped celery, with an olive oil-lemon dressing mixed with parsley (i think). Fantastic! My other favorite is the linguine with mussels. New Zealand greenlips - about a dozen big ones - with a traditional chunky, garlicky, olive oil marina that I could eat all on its own. Sometimes I have them add scungilli to it as well. Wow. What a belly full. This is your typical strip mall location - so not a ton of atmosphere. But if you are going to eat-in, bring your bottle o' wine and enjoy the friendly service. Speaking of which, depending on the night, Vince's wife may be doing the cooking. Then you're in luck. She seems to dictate the weekly/weekend specials - which I have NEVER been disappointed in. One example - a homemade Tuscan bean soup that was as good as anything I've had in Rome. The specials are always changing, but nobody in my family has been disappointed -- ever. Reasonable prices and a friendly "hey!" complete the picture. So if you're in Lionville, grab yourself a nice bottle of vino' from the state store in the same strip mall and enjoy some home-style Italian cooking that will have you thinking "damn - why didn't I know about this place?"
(4)Pasquale B.
Great Italian food like Mama made with good service and nice atmosphere.
(4)dan h.
Really good Italian food with great staff
(4)Frank C.
Generally mediocre pizza despite other positive reviews. I asked for "extra sauce" specifically and got a pizza that was mostly cheese. Not bad, just nothing special. I'll be still searching for a better pizza in this area.
(2)