Casa Bianca's, 333 N. Bassett, is a Madison institution as integral to campus life as Bucky Badger or Bascom Hall. Their pizza is an import from the East Coast, and you can tell that they are serious about pizza, and traditionally prepared pizza at that.
With slices as big as a city block and taste to match, it's tough to argue that the boys of Casa B's do not deliver in taste. And as an added bonus, they deliver to your step their excellent baked pizzas, for those moments when you're too baked to walk to their door.
With Casa Bianca's there is very little to dislike. The Bassett Street locale is centrally located and no more than a 10-minute jaunt from any part of campus or from the bars, which is convenient because you can roll in after class or after last call and be welcomed by a wide assortment of pizza and hoagies from which you choose the one to devour.
What is also very nice about the Bassett location is that it's just far enough away from State Street that the drunks who do show after bar time have eating and chilling on their mind, not booting and rallying. The one problem with Casa Bianca's, however, is the price, which can get costly. But when you consider the options, Taco Bell, 534 State St., or Gumby's, 2825 University Ave., among them, you'll realize that at Casa Bianca's you are paying for quality. And for the thrift-minded there is always the two-dollar slice of cheese pizza which breeds satisfaction in your stomach.
Even more important than cost is that at certain times of day you can sit down and meet the owner's father, who exemplifies \hospitality."" The entire staff is quick to help and quick to serve, but for downright welcoming, make sure you meet Sal.
On one particular Saturday afternoon, after Camp Randall had emptied, several comrades and I descended upon Casa Bianca's with a ravenous appetite. And we were greeted with open arms and full plates. Not only that, but Sal invited us to sit down and watch the late football game on the mammoth flat screen in the dining room with him and all-around good guy City Council President Mike Verveer. Throughout the course of the whole meal we were greeted with more pizza, more bread sticks and more everything.
Casa Bianca's serves the campus life more than food. It serves a friendly nod following a tough midterm and an even friendlier nod after a rough night when you wake up after noon. So stop in, say ""hi,"" and eat some damn good pizza.
