Anthony's in Front Royal adds new items to menu

By Josette Keelor - jkeelor@nvdaily.com

As locations of the local franchise Anthony's Pizza have been adding new meals to their menus, Anthony's X at 103 S. Royal Ave. in Front Royal has put its own spin on the traditional pizza parlor fare.

"To give people a different variety" is owner and franchise partner Francesco "Frank" Amari's reasoning behind the recent changes.

Some new options on his menu are ravioli, chicken marsala, Chicken Antonio, crab cakes and patty melts.

"Where you gonna get two crab cakes and a side order of fries for $4.99?" he says. "Nowhere."

Another option is the shrimp basket and fries for $5.95, he says.

He believes the additions have been great for business.

"It shows them that you're trying to upgrade on your menu," he says.

Since members of his family own the entire Anthony's chain, Amari has a vested interest in its endurance. He has been a partner with cousins Claudio Bouno and Thomas Amari for five years.

One of the big hits at his location is the taco salad. "Everything is homemade," he says. "The shells, we make the bowls here."

Another top item is the BLT on Texas Toast, made to order, which offers a variation from a typical bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich on thin bread.

The Jersey Grinder -- a baked submarine sandwich with ham, salami, capicola, pepperoni, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana peppers and provolone cheese -- was a special at the restaurant for three months before Amari added it permanently to the menu.

"People didn't even want me to take it off [the board], so I added it to the menu," he says.