Za

Overpriced and not good. How this place charges $3 a slice blows my mind. My sister-in-law came away with food poisoning, which they didn't charge for, so I guess they've got SOME heart...

The upstairs is likely the only bar in Broad Ripple where you can actually have a conversation on a Friday or Saturday night. Staff and owner are very friendly, although you gotta know the bartender's name to get their attention for a drink. You get a great view of Broadripple from the upstairs so people watching is an added bonus. The people that come here are regulars. And they carry a great selection of local beers.

Didn't try the pizza, but it looks like a little slice of NYC. Comfort food, not gourmet, but delish. Gooey, cheesy, fold up and a walk down the street easy goodness.

It's different and a little weird. Which is good.

Some friends and I popped into Za's for a hot slice and a brief respite from the Tuesday night crowds thronging Broad Ripple. Our party sought comfort and quick food, and we were not disappointed. We sat ourselves in the upstairs dining area, between a young family and a tv. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed, if a little bland, and well suited to the attitude of our pleasantly informal server. She was the only staff member working the bar and dining area, but had no problem keeping up with all the tables (on a slow night), and occasionally made some innocuous small talk while checking up on our drinks and food. She was attentive and available throughout our meal.

Za's menu is about as straightforward as a pizzeria gets - pizza, with the standard range of toppings, wings, calzones, and a few salads. Their wings, and one or two of the available toppings were not available this night on account of a delivery snafu, apparently. Of the five house pizza styles, two were available by the slice at the time of our arrival.

The slice was a generous cut, ample sustenance for someone seeking a quick, reasonably priced meal. I found the crust a little light in both texture and seasoning, but it holds its own pretty well against most other local pizzerias. The veggie calzone I ordered, with spinach and mushrooms, didn't live up to expectations. I like a calzone with thick, chewy dough, stuffed handsomely with ricotta and just clotted with mozzarella and hot as a bastard. Za's had a light, shell-like crust with a modest scattering of cheeses and equally scant veggies. For 8.95, this was a little disappointing, though it did come with a good-sized, if bog standard side salad. The third member of our party ordered a spinach salad, and it was just as it said on the menu.

There is always a need for a decent, homey pizzeria with by-the-slice offerings. Za's meets this need well, though it doesn't aim for much more than that.