New Armand's Pizzeria Open for Business

Tony Affetto thinks he's got something pretty special going with his newly opened Armand's Pizzeria, what with its signature olive oil-based pizza, stuffed artichokes and baked clams.

Of course, he's a bit biased. He started eating at Armand's back when he was a kid and there was just one restaurant, the original, in Elmwood Park.

"I grew up on it back when I was living in Chicago," Affetto said. "I've been wanting to get back into (the pizza-making business) for a long time."

The Elmwood Park Armand's, which opened in 1956, is still in business, but now there are three others: Elmhurst, Arlington Heights and Affetto's at 15515 Route 59 in Plainfield.

For right now, the Plainfield operation is carry-out and delivery only but Affetto hopes he may one day expand to include a sit-down restaurant.

His hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the aforementioned house specials, he also has many of the usual items you'll find at Italian pizzerias, including tomato sauce-based thin and deep dish pizza, Italian beef, sausage and peppers, Italian subs, antipasto and caprese salads, mostaccioli, cannoli and tiramisu.

Affetto and his wife have lived in Plainfield for eight years, and they have two children -- a daughter who attends Plainfield Central High School and a son at Indian Trails Middle School. Before moving back to the area, Affetto operated five Pizza Joe's restaurants in Florida.

The restaurant's phone number is 815-436-5800.