If you know Chris Small, you know he is a big guy with a big appetite!  Chris loves eating out at the many great locally owned restaurants and pubs in the Miami Valley.  Each month he’ll share one of his favorites with you.

Giovanni’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano – 215 W. Main Street, Fairborn, OH  45324 – www.giovannisfairborn.com

Giovanni’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano has been known for quality Italian food and pizza since Giovanni DiPasquale opened a small restaurant on the corner of Main Street and Miller in Fairborn, Ohio in December 1953.  The restaurant moved to its present location at 215 W. Main Street in January 1984.

Giovanni’s was revitalized in 1994, when Tony Spaziani purchased the restaurant, doubled its dining space, added a party/banquet room and opened an in-house bakery.  No stranger to the finer points of fine Italian cuisine, he expanded the menu to include many of his own family specialties, including the traditional Italian bread made from his grandfather’s recipe.  They have been voted “Best Italian Restaurant” in ActiveDayton.com’s “Best of the Miami Valley.”

When I visit Giovanni’s, it is usually after a 20 mile bike ride with the family on the path between Yellow Springs and Xenia.  So needless to say, we come with an appetite.  We usually get started with Spinach Baked with Three Cheeses and wings – both the Italian and the BBQ.  They have excellent salads as well.

The on to the main entrée!  Our favorite is White Pizza with grilled chicken, spinach and artichokes.  This is an excellent pizza!  Giovanni’s also has great sandwiches and all of your traditional Italian dinners.  They have a fine selection of drinks, and the service is impeccable.