Episode 1. The Phantom Minced (garlic)
The grease dripped down my arm, the cheese stretching what seamed to be a foot long. My butt firm on the the black asphalt that lead down the the back alley just South of East Colfax. I was in love, the symphony of crunchy pizza crust just thick enough that you had to put a little fight with it to enjoy the mixture of cheese, sauce, and crust in one bite. Benny Blanco's a business that will stand true to the phrase “Slice of the Bronx”.
There seating is more then accommodating with an entire back ally and a side walk full of drunk people. Then again that is how you eat true New York style pizza, which just adds to the authenticity. At first glace it is just a little hole in the wall pizza joint, wait is it a little hole in the wall pizza place. It looks as if the door had been there sense the late nineties, big black sticker cover the big black door, a waft of cooking dough and savory red sauce just comes and smacks you in the face. It's your typical to go only pizza place, there is a counter, for the employees to get in and out, and a sneeze guard where they put the menu, but there is still stickers everywhere, from memes, to bands, to advertisements from dispensaries, just everywhere. I was almost surprised my pizza didn't come with a sticker under it.
Upon arrival a guy will ask you what you want in a New York polite fashion, you should probably have your answer when he asks. To keep my rating fare I always get a basic peperoni, and Benny's has never disappointed. As you wait in this small waiting room with no air conditioning, which is only truly awful in the summer, with several ovens a-blazing hotter then residence of Denver on April Twentieth. It all becomes worth it when you receive a regular sized paper plate with a slice of pizza that is definitely bigger then your face. You take your pizza out side, either you take your pizza to your destination or sit or lean somewhere near the restaurant and enjoy every savory bite.
The first sensation you feel is the perfectly melted mozzarella that fills your mouth with artery clogging joy, also the greasy from the thin cut pepperoni salami probably wouldn't help in the situation of having an actual clogged artery. Then, the crust crackles in your mouth, it comparable to a home made french loaf. Last but not least, the sauce, so full of flavor, the herbs and spices mix perfectly with just the simplest of pleasures of cheese and bread. My love for Benny Blanco's may be due to the fact I have shared so many wonderful times with my friends there. Although, doesn't good food just bring people together more?
All in all I give Benny's 5 Slices out of 8. I will admit that there quality control can be lacking, there are good and not as good days. But that's how local businesses work sometimes
Here is the address if you ever find yourself downtown and hungry at 1am.
616 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 831-1346
