Raniero's Pizzeria- Highland Heights, Kentucky

Entrance to Raneiro's in Highland Heights

Just beyond the reach of Northern Kentucky University is a small pizza place called "Raniero's," located in a shopping plaza. The place seems non-descript on the outside, but once you go inside, you feel as if you're being welcomed into a home of an old friend. They also pack a punch with their food too, as they serve some phenomenal pizza for a cheap price!

Interior of Raniero's

Even though you can get whole pizzas in three different sizes (12", 16" and 24"), they also offer combos where you can get two slices of pizza and a drink for under seven bucks. The combos come in either cheese, pepperoni or sausage. These aren't just your run of the mill pizza slices however. These slices are pretty big, and they definitely are filling!

The slices you receive with your combo. Good stuff!

Also, from what the owner tells me (he maintains a very visible presence in the restaurant), the place is doing so well that he will be moving into a larger location next door once Blockbuster Video finally closes, and he predicts that his new location will be open just in time for the 2011-2012 school year to begin at NKU, complete with a bar and more!



Here's the verdict on Raniero's as it stands right now (on a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the best):

Atmosphere: 3. It's a small dining room, but there's a bit of a unique charm in there. They have great family pictures inside of the place, and they also feature tablecloths to simulate being in an authentic Italian restaurant.

The family pictures. I'm sure if you ask the owner about them, he would be more than happy to talk!

Service: 5. Like I mentioned earlier, the owner has a very visible presence in the restaurant, and he makes sure that you are enjoying yourself and that you are enjoying the food.

Food: 4. While it isn't the best pizza of all-time, it is very good and it is pretty affordable and filling.

Overall: 5. No qualms about this place whatsoever, and I cannot wait until the new location opens this summer!

If you have any friends around NKU, chances are they already know about this place and have probably eaten there. Next time you're around there, make sure to stop by Raniero's for some grub, you won't regret the trip!

Take care everybody!