CiCi's Pizza

Had the opportunity to eat at CiCi's Pizza recently. Now before you think I've driven to someplace exotic like Monmouth, no, CiCi's is in Peoria's Evergreen Shopping Center. It's been there almost two weeks. Normally, I like to give new places a chance to get their bearings about them before reviewing, but sometimes I just want to get the first scoop before they come out in the mass media.

CiCi's is an all you can eat salad, pasta and pizza joint for $4.99. Yeah, $4.99. That should fit right in with Peoria's "all you can stuff in your face at a cheap price is better" eating mentality. I did find out it is a chain, so, of course I did have to slap the shit out of myself for eating there. I'll have to eat more frequently at Fedora's and the Smoking Pit (ah, too bad for me - that's dripping sarcasm, btw) for penance for my supporting a chain restaurant.

As you step in the door, I was enthusiastically greeted by the young woman at the counter. "Welcome to Cici's!!" Other employees heard her and chimed in "Welcome to CiCi's". WOW. Ok, I've been welcomed. She explained the process, took my cash and I was on my merry way to the buffet line. No salad bar; three pre-made salads: Italian, Asian and BLT. I tried the latter two. Nice flavors, a little heavy on the dressing, but nothing to WOW you. There was one pasta and two sauces: cavatappi (corkscrews) marinara and alfredo. Marinara has a little zip, alfredo pretty basic. There had to be about 10 pizzas available plus a few dessert pizzas. The veggie pizza was made (or so it appeared and tasted) with alfredo sauce and next to the taco, probably my favorite. The taco pizza had enough zip that most people may consider it spicy. The pepperoni was pepperoni. Nothing overly exciting or fancy with any of the pizzas I tried.

But two things I REALLY liked: one is I HATE whimpy crust. If the crust can't support the sauce, ingredients and cheese, it sucks in my opinion. Whimpy crusts saggin' causing all your stuff to slide off onto your plate or Ralph Lauren's ain't cool. CiCi's crust gets an A+..it could hold up twice the toppings while still being flavorful and slightly chewy. They also offered a thick crust or pan version that also held up well. BIG plus for da crusts. Two, the sauce had zip. I hate non descript pizza sauce that will never wow or offend anyone...I've drawn the conclusion that some places just slap on some tomato paste. This sauce has zip to the point that those who think BBQ Sauce is spicy may have issues and deem it spicy. Quit whining. BIG plus for the sauce.

The place is definitely geared to kids and families. A game room, decor with TVs and many candy machines. The music was R& B which I found interesting. There was a LOT of staff on hand checking if they could get you a refill, take dirty plates and check if everything tasted OK to the point of almost, but not quite, being annoying.

While it won't be a hang out of mine, I probably will go back even if I have to slap myself around again.

See you around the table.....