The history of pizza as we know it began thousands of years ago in Italy. It then came to the United States with Italian immigrants at the end of the 19th century, with the first American pizza restaurant opening in 1905. Since then, Italians like us have been sharing our love of culture and family with people through handcrafted and hand-tossed pizzas. Riccardo himself had been in the restaurant business for thirty years before opening our family-owned and operated establishment almost a decade ago. It’s this passion for food and tradition that led us to choose hand-tossed pizzas over any other method. A great pizza starts at the crust – it’s the foundation for a great dish.
We do pizza differently than the typical pizza joint at Riccardo’s in Belleview. Despite having so many different dish offerings, we make sure to perfect our pizzas. There are many reasons why we take extra time and care to make hand-tossed pizzas. The most obvious is the taste! We have high-temperature ovens to ensure our crusts come out perfectly crispy each time. Tossing our dough ensures that more moisture is kept in the crust so that our customers get the perfect balance of moisture and crispiness in every bite.
When the pizza dough is rising due to the yeast, air bubbles are created. Rolling out the dough will cause the air bubbles to be rolled out, while hand tossing it preserves those bubbles. This is crucial to the process of making the most authentic Italian crust, considered Neapolitan style, and it’s why we at Riccardo’s choose to put in the extra time to get it right. You can taste the difference.
The process of hand-tossing pizza is involved, but rewarding. First, the pizza chef will take the dough and shape it into a ball. They’ll put the dough on a floured surface, dust the top of the dough ball with flour, and begin pressing it out into the shape of what will become the crust. The extra flour keeps the dough from sticking. Then, the chef picks up the dough, with the palm of one hand supporting the dough and the other hand in a fist. This is an important detail because pointed fingertips can disrupt the dough and cause it to tear and fall apart. The chef will use their open hand to raise the dough in the air and start to spin it and catch it on the back of their fist. Several tosses will be made until the dough is stretched to the right size. Lastly, the pizza dough is placed on its cooking surface, loaded up with sauce and toppings, and baked!
Our current pizza offerings include Buffalo Chicken, Clams Cassino, Chicken Bacon Ranch, BBQ Chicken, Meat Lovers, Veggie, Margherita, Supreme, Cheese, Cheese Calzone, Philly Cheese Steak, as well as Cauliflower and Gluten-Free crust options. You can get pizza by the slice! Our slice of cheese pizza is only $4.50, and you can add more toppings for just 50 cents each. Every pizza comes in a medium-size ranging from $14.99 to $17.99, and large size from $17.99 to $20.99.
The Buffalo Chicken pizza is topped with chopped buffalo chicken tenders, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese, and a flavorful buffalo sauce – it combines the delicious taste of our special crust with the taste of an order of buffalo wings. Our Clams Cassino pizza has chopped clams, bacon, onion, and mozzarella cheese with your choice of pizza sauce or garlic butter – this would pair beautifully with a white wine from our full bar. Just as it sounds, our Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza is topped with ranch dressing, grilled chicken, bacon, and mozzarella cheese. This is a creamy and hearty pizza perfect with a beer or red wine.
Riccardo’s BBQ Chicken pizza includes grilled chicken, onions, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese. This is a distinctly American twist on an Italian classic. Meat Lovers pizza is served with pepperoni, ham, sausage, meatballs, and bacon. Order this one with one of our lovely side salads if you would like to balance out your dining experience! The Veggie pizza is topped with ranch dressing or pizza sauce, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomato, spinach, and broccoli. The layers of flavor cannot be beaten. Our creamiest pizza is the White Pizza; it’s topped with Alfredo sauce or Ricotta, along with mozzarella. The Margherita pizza is on the more traditional Italian side of our options, with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, and basil.
The Supreme Pizza lives up to its name; it is topped with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, onion, green peppers, and mushrooms. Try the Philly Cheese Steak pizza, which contains the steak, onions, peppers, Monterey Jack, and cheddar you expect of the sandwich, along with your choice of pizza sauce or garlic and oil. Lastly, the Cheese Calzone is a unique choice that is perfect for a crust lover; it is filled with Ricotta and mozzarella, served with a side of house sauce, and available with additional toppings for $1.50 each.
We love making your meal to order and using all fresh ingredients. You can trust that love and care goes into everything we serve you, whether it be to your table or to your home. Making it fresh ensures that whether you enjoy it immediately or upon delivery, the quality will remain the same. That is how we at Riccardo’s continue the tradition of Italian cuisine.
Customers love our individual slices of pizza because we cut them from a large pizza crust for a 12” slice. Order a slice and another item from our pick two menus Monday through Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for just $10.99. Salads available on this menu, which would go perfectly with our single slice of pizza, include Greek, Caesar, Chef, Country Cobb, and the Pear, Apple, and Grape salad. You may also pair pizza with our Soup of the Day, or any other item from the Pick Two menu! Treat yourself to a full meal experience without breaking the bank. Pizza and wine go hand in hand, so let our wait staff make a recommendation for you.
Since 2013, we’ve been committed to giving our customers the freshest and most flavorful dining experience. Our selection and top-quality ingredients cannot be beaten, and there’s a reason we’re in the top ten restaurants in Belleview on TripAdvisor. Stop by today and experience Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment. Buon Appetito!
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of pizza history, culinary traditions, and techniques, I can attest to the authenticity and expertise embedded in the article about Riccardo's, the pizza establishment in Belleview. Having delved into the rich history of pizza myself, I can corroborate that the roots of pizza can indeed be traced back thousands of years to Italy, evolving over time and finding a new home in the United States with Italian immigrants in the late 19th century.
The article beautifully captures the essence of Riccardo's commitment to preserving Italian culture and family values through handcrafted and hand-tossed pizzas. The mention of the first American pizza restaurant opening in 1905 aligns with historical timelines, underscoring the establishment's dedication to tradition.
The choice of hand-tossing pizzas at Riccardo's is not merely a stylistic preference but a nod to the authentic Neapolitan style of pizza-making. The detailed explanation of the hand-tossing process, from shaping the dough into a ball to spinning and stretching it to the right size, emphasizes the craftsmanship involved. The insight into how hand-tossing preserves air bubbles in the dough, contributing to the coveted crispy yet moist texture, reflects a profound understanding of pizza-making techniques.
Furthermore, the article showcases a comprehensive menu, ranging from classic choices like Margherita to unique offerings such as Clams Cassino and Buffalo Chicken. Each pizza is described with precision, highlighting the flavor profiles and suggesting ideal beverage pairings, demonstrating a profound knowledge of culinary combinations.
The inclusion of information about the ovens with high temperatures to ensure crispy crusts, the role of yeast in creating air bubbles, and the emphasis on using fresh ingredients showcase an attention to detail and a commitment to quality. The article goes beyond describing the menu, providing insights into the philosophy of making fresh, high-quality food and ensuring a consistent dining experience, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or delivered to one's home.
Lastly, the promotional details about special offers, such as the $10.99 pick-two menu and the emphasis on pairing pizza with wine, reflect an understanding of customer preferences and a strategic approach to enhancing the overall dining experience.
In conclusion, the article not only presents a menu but tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and a passion for delivering an exceptional culinary experience at Riccardo's in Belleview. It encapsulates the essence of Italian cuisine and the dedication of those who have mastered the art of pizza-making. Buon Appetito!
