Eateries like Lakeview's Art of Pizza prove that a food lover's paradise can be found in a less than dreamy spot. Located in a small strip mall along Ashland, this simple storefront isn't much to look at, but wows with its main attraction: the pizza, naturally.

The sauce makes or breaks any pizza experience, and Art's sauce, made with the perfect proportion of Italian seasonings, is one of the best I've ever tasted. To hell with social norms, next time I'm asking for a cup of that tomatoey bliss and a spoon (a ladle would work, too). But I digress. Let's talk crust. Take your pick of thin crust, pan or, my personal fave, stuffed.

Art's Meaty Delight comes with sausage, bacon, ground beef, pepperoni, sliced beef and, perhaps, a post-pizza heart attack (kidding...sort of). But Art's doesn't exclude the vegetarians, who will no doubt swoon over the mushroom, onion, green pepper, tomato, broccoli and spinach pie. If none of Art's special combinations appeal, create your own. Or embrace your indecisiveness and try one of everything by the slice, $2.75 each.

While you can't go wrong with a pizza, other tempting choices include foot-long subs, meatball sandwiches and half-pound burgers at lower-than-low prices. Appetizers, salads, pastas and an eggplant parmigiana dinner round out the roster of Italian treats. The daily specials are unbeatable; Mondays, for example, feature a baked lasagna dinner (with soup, salad and bread) for $5.25 and an Italian sausage sandwich for $1.99. Delivery is available.

Centerstage Reviewer: Natalie Goldstein