Crust, chicken serve as Old School Pizzeria’s marquee draws

Old School Pizzeria, 2040 E. Craig Road in North Las Vegas, is the newest venture of Giovanni Mauro, who owned Nora's Osteria and Wine Bar in Summerlin until the valley's dismal economy dealt it a knockout blow in 2011.

After Nora's closed, Mauro says he decided to open a pizzeria because, "the reality is that I can provide the absolute best product and it can still be affordable. In a time where everybody in the city is struggling with money, I asked, 'What can I possibly do where I can make a living and not compromise my standards of quality?' It was blatantly obvious that pizza, no longer a junk food, was the answer."

Mauro makes his own dough - a five-day process that does not employ commercial yeast - and says the "two pillars" of his business are the pizza crust with a hint of sourdough and the whole roasted chicken.

He explains his conviction that, as the restaurant owner, "if I don't make it, I don't sell it. I'm a cook. I don't understand the idea that you buy a product, upcharge and then sell it to someone else. That makes you a merchant. I'm a cook."

There are family meal deals for a school night (feeds four to five, $27.49); game night (feeds six to seven, $34.95) and house party (feeds eight to 10, $48.95). Offers include such combinations as pizza, chicken, salad and garlic rosemary knots.

Pizzas come in three sizes: big, 14 inches; extra big, 18 inches; and OMG, 24 inches.

A variety of pizza toppings categorized on the menu as "hard-core old school" include wild broccoli, olives, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, tomatoes and spinach. The veggie category includes roasted garlic, caramelized onions, bell peppers and mushrooms, while the "carnivore" category features house-made sausage and meatballs, among other meats.

The applewood smoked, oven-roasted chicken is served with Yukon gold potatoes.

The restaurant, open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, seats 12 diners and does a large carryout business. Delivery is available on some orders.

Salads: garden salad ($5.99); antipasto ($8.49); Gio's salad with tomato, cucumber, fennel, onion, fresh mozzarella and house vinaigrette ($8.49)

Chicken: half-chicken, five pieces ($7.99); whole chicken, 10 pieces ($14.99)

Chef's specialty pizza: Pork Reigns, pulled braised pork, house-made sausage, salame Calabrese, applewood smoked bacon, Canadian bacon, cured jowl, mozzarella, tomato sauce ($15 big, $22 extra big, $32 OMG); Vegas meets Italy, China Ranch dates, local pistachios, tomatoes, triple-cream gorgonzola, ricotta, smoked provolone, mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula ($15 big, $22, extra big, $32 OMG)

Pizza: Big cheese ($9.99; plus one topping, $10.99, plus two toppings, $11.99, plus three toppings, $12.99, plus unlimited toppings, $13.99); extra big cheese ($14.99; plus one topping, $16.25, plus two toppings, $17.49, plus three toppings $18.75, plus unlimited toppings, $19.99); OMG cheese ($21.99; plus one topping, $23.99, plus two toppings, $25.99, plus three toppings, $27.99, plus unlimited toppings, $29.99)

Other dishes: Calzones ($6.99 with cheese; add one stuffing, $7.99, add two stuffings, $8.99, add three stuffings, $9.99); meatball focaccia sandwich, eggplant focaccia sandwich ($8.49 each); Darrin sandwich, with chicken, pears, onions, carrots, gorgonzola, pear dressing, aged balsamic ($8.49)

Desserts: Cannoli ($1.99, three for $5.50, five for $9); gelato ($1.90 for a scoop, 60 cents by the ounce)

Information: 990-0070