Pizza Al's may have finally broken the terrible track record of restaurants in this location. The corner of University Avenue and Campus Drive has had a run of various restaurants: Shiftace, Night Owls, Kenyan Cafe, etc. And to be honest, I don't understand why this small corner never does well.

Pizza Al's has, hopefully, changed that. One of the town's most beloved pizza joints has taken up shop on University Avenue - just closer to the Downtown Campus this time. There's a short-term parking lot next to the building, but I'm guessing they're going to be getting a lot more foot traffic anyway.

Pizza Al's IV (the other on University, another in Sabraton, and one in PA) has the same menu: pizza, calzones, sandwiches and salads.

We ordered a large pizza - half pepperoni, half cheese. For the four of us, with drinks, I think it came out to about $5 each.

Same excellent quality. Thin pizza with a layer of melted cheese. Delicious - not too greasy - and piping hot. Definitely the best recipe in town.

It's nice the Downtown Campus has another lunch option - and especially a lunch option that consists of the best pizza in town. It definitely does look a bit more shabby than the other University location with some worn interior and painting - but I don't think the crowd they're catering to minds.

Grade: A