Why Mario’s is Matthews’ answer to ‘Cheers’ — with a neighborly Italian twist
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mario’s offers reliable New York-style and gourmet pizzas in Matthews, NC.
- The grandma pie draws praise for its house-made sauce and balanced texture.
- Mario’s supports community ties through local hiring and event sponsorships.
Mario’s Italian Restaurant has that neighborhood “Cheers” style energy, the kind of place where the staff knows your order and you recognize half the dining room.
Tucked into the suburbs of Matthews, it’s our family’s closest pizza spot, and we’re always happy to support it. Not just because it’s convenient, but because Mario’s gives back by hiring local high schoolers, sponsoring community events and serving as a go-to for weeknight dinners and private back room celebrations alike.
Our family enjoys the casual atmosphere of this family-friendly restaurant with brick walls, where you find a mixed crowd ranging from families with young kids to adults out for date night.
This is what we’d call a daily driver pizza joint, the kind of place you count on when you don’t feel like cooking. Mario’s serves more than pizza, offering a full Italian menu that we’ve enjoyed extensively, from the Buffalo shrimp to chicken francese, penne alla vodka and its rich tiramisu.
If you want to get away from the kids for an evening, you can head into Mario’s sister spot next door, John’s Place. It’s a 16-and-up pub with sports on TV, a full bar, plenty of beers on tap, the same menu, and a loyal crowd of regulars. Prefer to dine outdoors? There’s a covered patio and even a bocce court.
As for the pizza, we have three go-to orders that usually make it into the mix.
We always start with the large cheese pie, a classic New York style pizza. It’s what we call a football pizza, perfect for game day, even if it’s not the main event. You’ll grab three slices before you realize it.
It’s generously sauced, heavy on the cheese and reliably made. What makes it stand out from other NY-style slices in town is the sauce. It has more flavor than most, and when we’re in the mood to jazz it up, we’ll add garlic powder, grated cheese and a few red pepper flakes.
The prosciutto and black mission fig pizza is a ricotta-based white pie that we usually add when friends come to town. It’s a little sweet, a little salty and even the traditionalist in me, hearing our grandfather’s voice with his Italian accent, is slightly annoyed at how much we enjoy it.
But the real star at Mario’s is the grandma pie. Our family thinks it might be the best in Charlotte. The sauce steals the show: chunky, seasoned and clearly made with care. This pie feels handcrafted and hearty, with a satisfying balance of dough, cheese and that knockout sauce. It’s the one we order most often when we want a guaranteed win for dinner.
Whether you’re looking for delivery, date night or catering a private event, we give Mario’s two thumbs up and think you will, too.
Mario’s Italian Restaurant
Location: 2945 Matthews Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC 28104
Cuisine: Italian, pizza
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmariospizza/
Tristan Graziano, a Weddington High School student, is plotting how to rule the world, when he isn’t on the lacrosse field or hanging with his friends. Jamie Graziano, aka The GrazFather, is a graduate of the University of Florida, an employee of a Fortune 500 company and dad who dreams of starting his food review and travel website TheGrazFather.com. He can be reached at jamie@thegrazfather.com or on Instagram @thegrazfather.