Lou Boccardi’s Restaurant

Lou Boccardi’s is a longtime Italian restaurant and bar on Magnolia Avenue, known above all for St. Louis-style thin-crust pizza topped with Provel cheese. Its pizza is also sold frozen for shipping. Other dishes diners often mention include chicken Salerno (breaded chicken with Provel sauce, prosciutto, artichoke hearts and mushrooms), fried calamari and seafood pasta.

The setting is old-school and homey, with small dining rooms, a large mural upstairs and a family-friendly feel; the building also hosts banquets. Expect a wait for a table at peak times on weekends.

Boccardi’s does not maintain a standalone website; its Facebook page is the main channel for updates, so check there or call the restaurant for current hours and to confirm it is open before making the trip.