In my opinion, Lancaster is not a college town. College Park, Maryland, Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, and Gainesville, Florida are examples of true college towns.
However, over the past few years I’ve realized that despite the fact Lancaster doesn’t have an outrageous party scene, incredible nightlife, or, to be honest, many schools, the town and county have some astonishing offerings.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl is one of my favorite food places—it’s a Mecca of tremendous meats, superb desserts, and good-spirited country cooking. Central Market, as more of us might know due to proximity to campus, offers a wide array of options and local flair. However, one local pizza joint provides affordable food and does a great job at what it intends to do.
Sugar Bowl.
The pizza (and stromboli) place located on West Lemon Street just two minutes from the edge of campus not only has great menu offerings, but a friendly staff. I like to think it all starts from the top in the restaurant industry. Most every place with which I fall in love has ownership or some form of leadership that takes pride in what the establishment serves and, perhaps more importantly, what it stands for.
Dmitri Kartouvis, owner of Sugar Bowl, is a genuinely friendly man that loves to strike conversation and get to know his customers. Kartouvis is not pushy, which is an important contributor of your wanting to return to his restaurant. His family helps him run the restaurant, and the entire unit does a fantastic job maintaining excellent service and keeping the restaurant sparkling clean. At a restaurant of that stature, it is important that the owner sustains amiable relations with the local community— and Kartouvis does just that.
Sugar Bowl is admirable as a pizzeria for many reasons, but what jumps out upon entering the restaurant is the ambiance. Particularly enjoyable are the big-screen televisions, Pac-Man machine, and F&M sportswear hanging on the walls. It must be noted that if you do not choose to dine in the restaurant, Sugar Bowl’s take-out is efficient.
Perusing through the menu can be tiresome, but in the best sense, as the food selection is generously wide. Sugar Bowl’s pizza has fresh dough, and is competitively priced to allow for all the toppings one could desire. Toppings include the “usual” (pepperoni, onion, extra cheese) and others that taste terrific (meatball, salami, etc.). Veterans and newcomers of Sugar Bowl alike also try specialty pizzas, including Mediterranean (feta, spinach and tomatoes), meat lovers (pepperoni, ham and bacon) and veggie extreme (onion, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes and olives).
Being a Philly transplant, I was originally skeptical prior to first having Sugar Bowl’s steak subs. However, I’ve found them to be quite tasty, and the chicken cheesesteak is exceptionally well done. The parm subs- eggplant, meatball, chicken cutlet, sausage and veal cutlet- are fantastic, but even the cold subs are made to perfection. For fewer than six dollars one can get a wide variety of subs, ranging from a vegetarian item to virtually any deli meat with the works.
But what really stands apart from other establishments are Sugar Bowl’s strombolis. Even a small order is comparatively gigantic, and is a great deal for eight dollars. Strombolis can include chicken, cheese, meatballs or really almost anything the place offers. In addition to other things like sandwiches and wraps, the spaghetti dinners are phenomenal. And did I mention that the garlic bread is heavenly?
Sugar Bowl offers amazing daily specials that translate into ultimate value. Depending on the day, seven dollars—at most—will likely get you a menu item, fries, and a soda.
I have visited Sugar Bowl’s other restaurant, located near the football field at Millersville University, and each time I visit I find that store very crowded.
The Lancaster location might not be right next to our football field, but it is definitely worth the short walk or two-minute drive down to West Lemon Street.
I can guarantee that once you recognize Sugar Bowl exists and you give it a try, you will kick yourself for not having visited earlier. Sugar Bowl also accepts Ben’s Bucks and offers student specials frequently.
The next time you’re looking for a local pizza place to make up for the one you miss at home, try Sugar Bowl. The restaurant’s affordable meals, wide variety of food, friendly management, and appealing local charm are all reasons why you might find a new favorite.
