Anthony's Pizza II

On Wednesday, January 22, 2015, I had lunch at Anthony's Pizza II at 1855 Senseny Road in the Country Park Plaza strip center about three miles east of Winchester.

Hours are Monday-Thursday, 11:00 AM-11:00 PM; Friday & Saturday, 11:00 AM-12:00 AM; Sunday, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM. Dine in, delivery, and carry out are available, and the phone number is 540-722-5055.

Anthony's is the closest eatery to where I live; in fact, it is the only one I can drive to without encountering a traffic light. It occupies two modules at the west end of the building, and has two entrances without a vestibule.

A row of booths is along the left wall, and a shorter row of booths is along the right wall. Further back on the right is an angular glass-brick counter for the check-out and the staff's use, but without seating for patrons.

Two rows of tables in the center of the room provide additional seating. The kitchen is in the rear of the room on the right. A hallway on the left has a refrigerated case of bottle drinks facing the dining area; beyond that is a dispenser for fountain drinks and a coffee facility. The restrooms are further back.

The floor has 12-inch light-colored tiles, and the ceiling is stippled acoustic tile, also light-colored. This gives the dining space a light and airy ambience.

The right wall is decorated with a series of collages, which may have been sports scenes; I didn't look at them close up. The right and left corners of the front of the room have video screens, and there's another screen on the back wall behind the counter.

The menu's categories include Appetizers, Jumbo Buffalo Wings, Salads, Children's Menu, Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, Gourmet Pizza, Pizza Specialties, Entrées, Pasta, Chef's Specialties, Steak Subs, Chicken Subs, Hot Subs, Hoagies, Calzone & Stromboli, Pizza Roll, Desserts, and Drinks.

Pizza and Pizza Specialties are available in 10, 14, and 16-inch sizes; Sicilian Pizza is available as Small or Large, and Gourmet Pizza is Large Only. Subs and Hoagies are available as 6 or 12-inch sizes, and Calzone & Stromboli come as Small or Large.

I ordered from the Chicken Subs Menu, selecting a 6-inch Chicken Fajita Parmigiana sub on an Italian roll with chicken, onions, green peppers, banana peppers, jalapeño peppers, seasonings, marinara sauce, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. I asked that it be toasted, and had a Mr. Pibb for my beverage.

The server misunderstood my order and gave me a 12-inch sub. When I mentioned the error, she charged me for the smaller size and gave me a go-box to take half of it home. The sub was very good, and the jalapeños gave it just the right amount of spiciness.

Only one other patron was dining in during my visit; however, at least half a dozen people came by for carry-out while I was there, and it appeared that several deliveries were made.

I had been ignoring Anthony's for years, because when it opened a long time ago it was a single module space primarily serving pizza. It now appears to be a full-fledged Italian restaurant, and I'll put it on my keeper list.