Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition | April 2023

DINING FEATURE

CraigO’s Pizza and Pastaria Eatery has served scratch- made food for 20 years

WHAT MAKES THE PIZZA SPECIAL CraigO’s oers specialty, like the meatlovers pizza featured, and customizable pizzas starting at $14.99.

O wner Craig Plackis said he started CraigO’s to bring the community fresh-tasting Italian food and provide a positive work environment for his neighbors’ children. In June 2003, CraigO’s Pizza and Pastaria opened as a scratch-made Italian restaurant in Sunset Valley and now has two other locations in Austin and oers delivery. “Two of [the children] have gone on to become owners, and we have a third crew member who will open another location in the near future,” Plackis said. Plackis said CraigO’s stems from a nickname that stuck with him from childhood. “My dad, after long conversations of coming up with names [for the restaurant], basically told me to name it after myself because I would be there so much,” Plackis said. The recipes used at CraigO’s have been passed down for generations and are made from scratch. “We call it New York style as we have a thin, crispy crust, and the dough is tasty,” Plackis said. “We make our products daily, which is atypical for our style restaurant and price point.” Plackis said he oers aordable Italian spe- cialties with everything from the hand-rolled meatballs to the dough, sauces, pastas and dress- ings—they are all made in-store and will remain that way as long as the restaurant is open. “We have been very fortunate and blessed to serve our Austin community over the last 20 years, and we look forward to another 20,” Plackis said. “No matter what Austin has thrown at us— COVID[-19], ice storms, water boils—CraigO’s has the best fans anyone could wish for. Their support is truly overwhelming.” BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

Handmade dough

Sauce from scratch

Baked in pizza oven

The Mitchellini is a cheese and pepperoni option.

CraigO’s oers hand-rolled meatballs as an appetizer.

MOPAC

CraigO’s Pizza and Pastaria A 4970 W. Hwy. 290, Austin 512-891-7200 www.craigositalian.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Closed Sun. B 11215 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin 512-282-7499 www.craigositalian.com Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

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Owner Craig Plackis spins dough to begin making a pizza.

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