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• Giorgio's Pizza

Breadstick tower at Giorgio's Pizza. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Veggie calzone from Giorgio's Pizza, 9 E. Market. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Pepperoni breadsticks with cheese sauce and of slice of cheese pizza from Giorgio's Pizza. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

Giorgio's is a staple in the diet of so many Downtown residents and commuters alike. And on a recent afternoon, it was the location of another delicious lunch.

It's not uncommon, even on a freezing, snowy day, for the line at this pizza place to be out the door. So bring your mittens and an empty stomach.

The mood

An eclectic crowd gathers daily, especially for lunch. On our visit, a middle-aged woman was curled up at a corner table reading, only a glass of water keeping her company. Suit-clad businessmen were out for a quick lunch, talking shop. And a few teenagers were trying their best to impress any who were looking.

Simple tile covered the floors, and rows of what were neatly placed seating options at opening were scattered and occupied when Ben and I arrived. Dodging sudden chair-scoots, and flinging coats is a necessity when navigating the narrow way to your own seat -- red plastic tray in hand.

The food

As we entered from Market Street, right off the Circle, a long line of glass-covered cheeses and carb-type foods stared us in the face. Choosing the indulgence proved difficult. I must admit, I suggested walking the few blocks because I was craving a huge slice of cheese pizza ($2.80). Yep, normal cheese pizza. There's something about it, maybe how a slice covers my plate and then some, or its salty deliciousness, or maybe I'm a plain Jane and enjoy the simple things (nah, that's not it).

Add two breadsticks ($1.05 each) with cheese dipping sauce and I was on my way to a carbohydrate high.

Photosynthesis fanatic that he is, Ben wanted to ingest something of the veggie variety. A vegetarian calzone suited him. It was baked golden brown and filled with mushrooms, green peppers, onions and enough ricotta to make lasagna ($5.15).

Two pepperoni-stuffed breadsticks for him ($1.25 each) and we were ready to cut and weave to our seats, where our lunches quickly disappeared.

Thick or thin crust pizza, by the slice or the whole pie, is the specialty. Pizza rolls, crisp salads, and freshly made pasta dishes and sub sandwiches (hot or cold) finish off the menu.

The drinks

A diet and a regular Pepsi ($1.40 each).

The damage: $16.58

You can surely get yourself and your buds an entire pizza for the price we paid for our lunch, but the convenience and yum factors weigh in. Famous as a lunch stop, Giorgio's makes dinner dining more inviting by serving beer and wine.