Monte’s Pizzeria :: 300 Maple Ave., Smithtown

Just a few months ago this was an Anna’s Pizza, which also has a Huntington location. And even that wasn’t there very long. Monte’s is tucked in to the little strip mall where Maple meets Rte. 111, in the same strip as Salsa Salsa and, conveniently, Ralph’s Italian Ices — yum!

Jennifer ate:

Feta Salad — ($7.60)
Side of Sauteed Broccoli — ($3.95)

I really wanted to get here while it was still an Anna’s (not knowing it would soon be Monte’s), because I have an Anna’s down the street from my house and it’s delicious. I was dismayed a few months ago to see it had become something else, but as soon as I walked in I saw that it looked just like an Anna’s — right down to the painted wall mural that looks like it had recently been repainted.

The menu is a bit different from an Anna’s. Your basic pizza offerings are pretty much the same (although we saw an interesting-looking pizza with a garlic-knot rim!), but the other offerings are expanded from the old Anna’s menu. I opted to go beyond the pizza (which I assume is up to Anna’s quality) and tried a Feta Salad. It was tasty. Pretty simple salad of romaine lettuce with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and feta cheese. What I like most about it was that everything was chopped up and bite size. (I have a thing for already chopped salads.)

I also got a side of broccoli, because just being in what looked like an Anna’s made me want sauteed broccoli. (That’s my default order from MY Anna’s.) The sauteed broccoli was delicious! As good as always, but somewhat of a smaller portion for the same price. And maybe a bit more oily than what I get down the street, but yummy just the same.

We’ll have to go back and try the pizza another time because we were stuffed. But Monte’s is a nice, small pizzeria with expanded offerings. A nice option to some of the busier lunchtime pizza places with food that’s just as good. Give it a try and let us know how you liked it!

The bottom line:
Feta salad – Pretty good.
Side of sauteed broccoli – Yum, yum, yum!
Overall rating: I liked it. I’ll go back and try some pizza and maybe a veggie panini. (Plus Ralph’s is practically next door! Definitely go there for dessert. Yum!)

Chuck ate:

Blazing Chicken Panini ($7.25)
Side Salad with Bleu Cheese ($.99)

Oh Monte’s, Monte’s, Monte’s (did you get the gameshow reference?).

Jennifer described it pretty well (although do you think she likes Anna’s a little bit?). Monte’s is quite small with only a handful of tables and 3 booths. It’s really laid out for quick in-and-out slices; but if you skip the expanded menu, you’re missing out! While this tiny, out-of-the-way pizza place is unassuming, it also has some damn good food.

I ordered the “Blazing Chicken Panini” which was served on “Rustic Baked Bread” (which was excellent, BTW) and a side salad with bleu cheese dressing. The panini was hot and spicy hot as well. My palate is usually resistant to mild to medium heat and I “felt it” on this sandwich — which is a good thing — “blazing” indeed.

The side salad was decent with chopped tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. The bleu cheese was a bit tangier than I like, but good, nonetheless.

I agree about the pizza, we’ll venture back to check it out. They have some stiff competition on Main Street, but let’s see how they do!

The bottom line:
Blazing Chicken Panini – Spicy, hot, crispy, tasty.
Side salad – A decent salad.
Overall rating: Monte’s is a good choice for a quick and reasonably priced tasty lunch. Don’t bring 8 people down, but a party of 4 can fit in a filling and flavorful meal easily on their lunch break.