Papa Saverio's Pizzeria

I've been spending some time volunteering for a state senatorial candidate whose campaign office is in a Schaumburg strip mall on South Roselle Road. Dining options, it turns out, are few in this shopping center -- Riccardo's is at one end, and Papa Saverio's Pizzeria is next-door. I did get a tasty handmade sandwich at Krystynna's Deli one day -- only $3.99 -- but the process from start to finish took more time than I was comfortable with being away, since I am only at the office a few hours at a time.

I was hopeful that Papa Saverio's would provide a good option for a carry-out meal. So far, my opinion is, err, not so much.

Someone brought in thin-crust pizza from there one day that was OK, not memorable, which should probably have been a signal -- the joint has "pizzeria" in its name after all -- but ever the optimist, I wandered over a few days later to see what they had on the menu. The fellow behind the counter -- Jose -- couldn't have been nicer, so I took that as a good starting sign.

The usual suspects were available: pizza in many different styles, pasta, sandwiches and salads. I finally settled on a chicken sandwich and fries. Well, the breaded piece of chicken, which most likely went straight from the freezer to the fryer, had been subjected to way too much time in the cooker. It was basically tasteless, although it wasn't greasy, mercifully. The iceberg lettuce on the bun was from somewhere very close to the core -- the leaf was white, with not even a hint of pale green. The tomato was tasteless, too. I did like the crinkle-cut French fries, but that's because I'm a salt-o-holic, so they definitely satisfied on that front.

All in all, not great food on two tries. They have storefronts in a lot of Northwest suburbs, it turns out. Is there anything worth ordering there?

Papa Saverio's Pizzeria
1098 S. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL
http://www.papasaverios.com

I think they may have a decent stuffed pizza but that's about it.