Step into Franco's Pizza & Pasta at Sand Hill Plaza in Newtown and be greeted not only by the mouth-watering aroma of homemade sauce and pizzas hot from the oven, but the sincere hospitality of the staff, many of whom are local young people, as well as husband and wife team Marcio "Santo" Dos Santos and Elizabeth Siemon and their young daughter, Sophia. They are dedicated to serving great food at great prices in a cozy atmosphere, they said, and have been serving it all up with a smile for 13 years.

Franco's dining room seats 38, with some tables overlooking the busy plaza, others placed beneath a colorful wall mural.

Franco's pizza comes in four sizes, for eat-in or takeout, always made of fresh dough from the kitchen. Look for pie in the sky as Santo shows off his award-winning pizza spinning talents before sliding the pie into the oven.

Pizza is just the beginning of edible delights at Franco's. Elizabeth and Santo recognize that when kids want pizza, their parents would often prefer a "real meal," and can accommodate both preferences. A full menu offers pasta, seafood, calzones, grinders, and more, as well as weekly dinner specials.

Crayons and paper plates are provided to the younger guests for drawing, with the resulting artwork displayed all along the pizza counter, a nod to the family-oriented atmosphere at Franco's.

Elizabeth and Santo are pleased to reciprocate the patronage of their customers by supporting numerous activities in town. It is not uncommon to find that Franco's has donated the pizza or pasta for library, school, scout, sports, and town events.

They measure their success by the number of regulars they have come to know. "We appreciate our customers' loyalty," Santo said, "and always welcome new friends." They value suggestions made at francospizzanewtown@yahoo.com.

The full menu, takeout prices, and other information about the restaurant can be seen on Franco's website, francospizzanewtown.com; or follow on facebook.com/francos-pizza; orders may be placed at the website, as well. Delivery is available within a five-mile radius for no charge until 3 pm each day, and for a $2 delivery change after 3 pm. There is a $20 minimum order for delivery.

Catering is available for all occasions, public and private, at very affordable prices.

Franco's will be hosting live music on Saturday, February 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Come by and bring your favorite wine or beer while enjoying the music.

A Sampling From The Menu

Pizza: Choose New York-style thin crust, or double-dough Sicilian-style. Eighteen specialty pizzas with a variety of gourmet toppings come in four sizes. For a quick snack, pizza can also be purchased by the slice. Monday and Tuesday only: two large cheese pizzas for just $19.95 plus tax.

A plate heaped high with crisp, fried calamari, and served with Franco's own marinara sauce, is a favorite start to the meal.Appetizers:

Soup: Soups are made on premises, starting with chicken stock made on site. Pasta Fagioli is a hearty tomato-based stew of pasta and vegetables - served with fresh oven-warmed bread.

Eight salads come in small or large sizes, and can be turned into a meal with the addition of grilled or Cajun chicken, salmon, or shrimp.Salads:

Nearly a dozen selections, including Chicken Newtown (breast of chicken, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, sherry wine in a brown sauce with a touch of cream).Dinner Entrees:

Pasta: Linguini Pele (grilled chicken, garlic, onions, and spinach in a Parmesan lemon sauce) and penne vodka ("pink" sauce of tomatoes and cream, with ham) are among the nine pasta dishes on the menu.

Seafood: There are more than a half-dozen seafood specialties, including "The Works Seafood," consisting of calamari, shrimp, mussels, and clams in a marinara sauce; or try shrimp fra diavolo, if tongue-tingling spiciness is what you favor.

Grinders, Wraps, Panini: Grilled chicken, melted Gorgonzola cheese, lettuce and tomato make this panini a best seller, perhaps because the panini are made on site. Create your own wrap, or choose one of the six suggestions. Veal cutlet Parmigiana is a classic 12-inch grinder choice.

Enjoy Franco's great lunch options like soups, salads, panini, or pizza by the slice.Lunch:

Dinner Price Range: $10.99 to $18.99

Franco's does not have a liquor license, but guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

Franco's Pizza & Pasta, dine in or takeout, is at 228 South Main Street South in Sand Hill Plaza, and is open Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; and Sunday, noon to 9 pm. Call 203-270-3548 for take out, or visit francospizzanewtown.com.

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