At Mario’s Pizza, you can get a taste of authentic Italian food right here in the Triad. We have a full menu of Brooklyn-style pizza, pasta, and other favorites, including what we humbly believe is the best calzone near me. If you’ve never had a calzone before, we would love to make one for you, filled with your favorite toppings.

What is a Calzone?

Calzones are an Italian invention, and roughly translates to “pants legs.” Naples pizza-makers created calzones in the 1700s as an on-the-go pizza so you could eat it while walking around, hence the name. They were originally just normal pizzas folded in half, which gave them their traditional half-moon shape. However, over time calzones have become their own thing, rather than just being a version of pizza.

Today’s calzones still have the half-moon shape, as opposed to stromboli, which is a rectangle shape where the dough is rolled into a log. Calzones typically have a cheese blend inside, featuring ricotta and other cheese varieties. They can also be stuffed with a variety of other toppings. We serve the sauce on the outside, however. It’s perfect for dipping. With a stromboli, the sauce is baked into the center with the other ingredients, so the resulting texture is a bit different.

Calzones still make a great meal on the go. We even have a calzone lunch special on Tuesday if you stop by Mario’s for a quick bite. We have eight locations throughout the Triad, in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, High Point, and Greensboro. Our sister restaurant, Tony’s Pizza, also has locations in Mooresville, Charlotte, Hickory, and Huntersville to satisfy your calzone cravings.

Calzones: Are They Better Than Pizza?

Pizza will always be our first love, but there are a few reasons why you might choose a calzone instead. Here are the top five reasons why calzones are sometimes better than pizza:

  1. You get a bigger ratio of toppings to crust. Hey, we get it. Some people are just not “crust” people. We think our crust is the best in the Triad, but you might still like that a calzone gives you a huge pocket of delicious toppings to enjoy.
  2. Calzones are grab-and-go, as mentioned. While you can sit in our dining room to enjoy a calzone, they are perfect when you want Italian food but don’t have time to stop for a long meal.
  3. You get to determine the perfect amount of sauce for every bite. Because we serve the sauce on the side for dipping, you can pick if you want a little sauce or a lot. Just ask one of our servers if you need more!
  4. Calzones stay warmer longer. Who doesn’t like to catch up with old friends over pizza? The only problem is that sometimes you get so caught up talking, your pizza gets cold in the meantime. Because of the pocket shape, calzones stay warm a lot longer.
  5. Everyone in your family can choose their own toppings. Our pizzas easily serve the whole family, but that means you have to agree on toppings. Calzones are single-serve, so you can each pick your own.

Strombolis also have some of the same benefits over pizza, but with more crust and sauce on the inside. Our strombolis also have mozzarella cheese instead of a mozzarella/ricotta blend, so if you don’t like ricotta cheese, they might be the best option for you.

Delicious Calzone Toppings

Our calzones come with a delicious cheese blend and your choice of one topping. We have a huge range of toppings available here at Mario’s Pizza!

Toppings for meat lovers:

  • Pepperoni
  • Sausage
  • Sliced sausage
  • Beef
  • Ham
  • Chorizo
  • Salami
  • Beef roni
  • Meatball
  • Bacon
  • Canadian bacon
  • Grilled chicken (premium)
  • Crispy chicken (premium)
  • Steak (premium)

Vegetarian options:

  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Banana peppers
  • Bell peppers
  • Roasted peppers
  • Black olives
  • Fresh garlic
  • Spinach
  • Pineapple
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Jalapenos
  • Green olives
  • Eggplant
  • Feta cheese (premium)
  • Artichoke hearts (premium)
  • Broccoli (premium)
  • Anchovies (premium)
  • Kalamata olives (premium)
  • Sun-dried tomatoes (premium)
  • Roasted red peppers (premium)

Some of our most popular topping options for calzones include spinach, pepperoni, and mushrooms, but you can choose the topping that sounds tastiest to you. The best calzone near me will be the one that fits your personal preferences.

FAQs About Ordering the Best Calzone Near Me

Our servers would be happy to answer any calzone questions you may have. Here are a few we get about ordering an authentic calzone you love:

Do you have any calzone specials?

Along with our weekly Tuesday calzone lunch special, we also have a rewards program. You can sign up online, via our app, or by giving your phone number to one of our staff members when dining in. You’ll earn points any time you order a calzone or any food at Mario’s Pizza!

What other entrees do you have available?

We are a top Italian restaurant in the Triad and offer a large selection of traditional Italian entrees, including not only the best calzone near me, but also the following other dishes:

  • New-York style pizza and strombolis
  • Appetizers such as Italian sausage, garlic knots, wings, garlic bread, toasted ravioli, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, Italian meatballs, garlic cheesy bread, french fries, and fried mushrooms
  • Hot and cold subs
  • Salads
  • Eggplant parmigiana and chicken parmigiana
  • Meat Lasagna
  • Baked Ziti
  • Baked Ricotta Cheese Ravioli
  • Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

We also offer a selection of authentic Italian desserts, including tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and limoncello mascarpone cake, as well as a kids menu with seven different options. You can see our full menu here!

Are you open for dine in?

Yes! Our dining rooms are open if you’d like to enjoy your calzone or other entrees at our restaurant. We also offer convenient online ordering if you would rather pick up or have your pizza delivered. Click here to learn more or stop into any dining room today for you next authentic Italian meal.