If you’re looking for a fusion of Saint Louis classics and Italian cuisine, look no further than Lalo’s Pizza and Grill located in the plaza on Bennington road. This speakeasy-styled restaurant creates a cozy atmosphere for visitors who want to eat or watch a sporting event.

Upon entering Lalo’s, there’s a staircase leading to the heart of the restaurant, where you can seat yourself according to your preferences. A staff member is there to greet you almost immediately. The servers are amiable and attentive, enhancing your stay and creating a sociable environment.

Just like their menu, the restaurant’s decor pays homage to Italy with photos of amazing sights like the Mediterranean Sea and mythical maps that illustrate the influence of Roman mythology. The restaurant is furnished like a 1920s speak-easy, reminiscent of the Prohibition era run by Italian mob bosses like Al Capone, who is also pictured in the restaurant numerous times.

The restaurant sees a moderate crowd consisting of families wanting to eat out to a group of friends wanting to see a sports game. Regardless of the size of your party, Lalo’s feels like home because it’s owned by a family that actively is involved in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant.

One of the highly praised attributes of Lalo’s is their extensive menu that includes Saint Louis classics like toasted ravioli and thin-crust pizza. There are also Lalo’s originals like their “Lalo’s Crazy Burger” with the toppings fries, bacon, American cheese, and cheese sauce. The menu also includes Italian cuisines like an assortment of different kinds of pasta such as chicken alfredo and chicken parmesan pasta. I played it safe and ordered a cheeseburger with fries. Per request, my burger was well done. The burger was all that you could expect from an excellent burger. There was a ‘secret sauce’ that tasted similar to Japanese mayo or the special sauce from Raising Canes. The burger patty was thoroughly cooked while also maintaining the juiciness in each bite.

After ordering, you can decide the order in which your food comes out. If you prefer to spend a bit of time socializing and eating appetizers, you can ask for your main courses to come out later. On the other hand, if you only have time for a quick lunch, your food will be at your table within fifteen minutes of ordering.

With eye-catching wall art, hospitable workers, and delicious food, Lalo’s has the potential to become a go-to for me. The prices are reasonable with medium pizzas starting at $10 to steak dinners for $19.95. making this the perfect spot to hang out.