Walk in the doors of Asheville’s Del Vecchios North, and you’ll be greeted by the pungent smell of garlic. This is a clear indication of good things to come. We love this low-key pizzeria because of its fresh, authentic flavors and no-frills vibe. Here, it’s not about fancy tablecloths and candlelit dinners. It’s all about the food and flavor.
One thing we noticed when our food arrived was the large portion sizes. Many of the pasta dishes are large enough to serve more than one person, as are the pizzas, which have many flavors and toppings available. The menu, which hangs behind the ordering counter, had several starters as well. The mozzarella sticks were the ideal blend of crispy outside and gooey inside. Even though this is a less formal restaurant, we found the flavors surprisingly complex in the dishes we tried.
As you step up to the counter to put in your order, you’ll need to know whether you want traditional New York-style pizza or Chicago-style stuffed deep-dish pizza. This is one of the few pizzerias that offer both types. You can also get a crisp, square Sicilian-style pizza. Most pizzas come in either 14 or 18-inch sizes.
Del Vecchios uses a homemade dough for their bread, sandwiches, stromboli, and calzones, and pizzas. If you’re in the mood for something on the lighter side, their salad selection is a great option.
If you’re in the mood to eat at home, this Italian eatery offers both delivery and carry-out options. In fact, it seemed to cater to the “to go” crowd, as we saw several orders leaving while we were dining. There are several booths and tables, though, if you feel like eating inside. You’ll definitely have enough food to take home in a doggy bag if you want leftovers for another day.
A few of our menu favorites included:
Antipasto
If you’re getting an appetizer, you can’t go wrong with the Antipasto platter. It places prosciutto, pepperoni, capicola, Genoa salami, and fresh mozzarella on top of an Italian vegetable salad, topped with a balsamic vinaigrette. The addition of fresh basil rounds out the flavors of this dish.
Italian Cordon Blue Stromboli
This unique take on the classic stromboli stuffs the hot sandwich with breaded chicken, ham, and Swiss in addition to the traditional mozzarella. From the first bite, you’ll recognize something unique about this flavor mix.
New York Style All Meat Pizza
We had to include the all-meat pizza on the list because it’s really that good. The crust is soft yet crunchy, and there’s just the right amount of cheese and meat toppings, including pepperoni, sausage, seasoned beef, and ham.
We found the decor at Del Vecchios North to be understated while the food was exceptional. If you’re looking for friendly, fresh Italian food, and don’t care about a lot of frills, then this restaurant is a good choice.
Insider Tips:
-Gluten-free diners will find a number of gluten-friendly selections on the menu. However, the risk for cross-contamination is high, so you should speak with your server about any allergies you have.
-Vegan cheese is available for those who prefer it on their pizza or hot sandwiches.
-Because the items are made from scratch and baked when you order, you may wait a bit for your food, but the wait is worthwhile.