Franco’s is a proper old-school pizzeria that sticks to what it does best: wood-fired thin-crust pizza, pasta, risotto and classic dishes like veal al limone.

Food

All the dishes are simply done, well priced and tasty – a formula that has won Franco’s a legion of loyal regulars over the years. You won’t find weird and wacky pizza toppings here; instead, you can opt for a pizza alla Siciliana with a mozzarella, tomato, anchovies, olives and capers topping, and you’ve gotta love the Banting-busting pizza con patate with its topping of mozzarella, tomato, sliced potato, parmesan and rosemary.

A pizza at Franco’s Pizzeria and Trattoria. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Franco’s salad gives more than a nod to the 1980s with its formula of provolone, eggs and old-school dressing but remains delicious, as does the spatchcock chicken with chilli dressing, mussels marinara and tiramisu.

If you’re after comforting Italian fare, Franco’s is the place.

Drinks

There’s only a small selection of wine by the glass, but a decent range of imported Italian wines and beers. Try some homemade limoncello if it’s available, and the frozen cappuccino is amazing.

Great new beer from Francos

A photo posted by Justin McCall (@justinmccallza) on Jul 16, 2013 at 9:54am PDT

Service

If you’ve been here more than once, chances are you’ll be greeted by your first name. Franco Forleo leads from the front, as do his sons and nephew. The waitrons have been here for eons and run an efficient and friendly operation.

#Starters #Carpaccio #latepost #instafood #instagood

A photo posted by Zolile Eddie (@zolileeddie) on Oct 13, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT

Ambience

The red and green colour scheme, old Chianti straw bottles and basic tableware look like they haven’t been changed since the 1980s, but the décor matches the warm, down-to-earth vibe. The staff are really friendly to kids, even messy toddlers. Tucked away at the back of a small shopping centre, Franco’s is held in great affection by the locals and is the antithesis of the nearby trendy 4th Avenue in Parkhurst.

A photo posted by Nusrat Khan (@nus_khan) on Oct 10, 2014 at 12:44pm PDT

And…

There’s no corkage fee for the first bottle you bring.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read the editorial policy here.

Have you eaten at Franco’s Pizzeria and Trattoria in Parkview? Let us know what you thought of the food and the setting by writing a review.