***** Di Piazza Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 1408 West 49th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33012 (305) 558-8412.

Yesterday’s mission, to find a really good “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint in a non-descript strip center in South Florida. Figured, what the heck…just got some $2.65 gas in Deerfield, so I made a run down to Hialeah…based on the recommendation of a really pleasant clerk that I had met at Books A Million last Sunday afternoon at Sawgrass Mills…by the way, Bloomingdales later this month is taking Books’ location and Books is moving to a much smaller spot in the mall.

Di Piazza Pizzera is a “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint located in Hialeah…by the way, it is in a non-descript strip center. This joint’s menu has the full boat of appetizers, pastas, calzones, subs, pizzas, meat-seafood-chicken entrees.

To make this story short, that Books A Million clerk really hit the ball out of the park…one of the best plain pizzas (large $14.75) that I’ve had down here in South Florida…delicious sweet sauce, crispy-thin crust, delicious cheese, oil perfectly dripped out when a slice was pointed–down. Now for the kicker here– the veal parmigiana ($15.25), shrimp scampi ($16.50), chicken marsala ($15.25), penne alfredo ($14.25) were delicious…nothing gourmet here (whatever “gourmet” means)—but as good as most of the “better” mom & pop joints that I frequent. Before I forget, real good garlic rolls…Only- got one big problem with Di Piazza, it’s too far from my home…

Di Piazza is a winner. Real good food. Pizza joint prices. Big portions.

Di Piazza is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10:30pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-11:30pm.