Bunny's Packs in Regulars at Tables and Bar Alike

Bunny’s Ristorante and Pizzeria is a family-run local institution more than eight decades old, and whether you're pulling up a stool at the bar or grabbing a booth with the family, everyone seems to feel at home.

On Sunday night, just about every table was taken by happy groups of family and friends. There was a family with four young children, all sitting, laughing and telling jokes as they enjoyed their pizza. As someone who grew up in a large family, I can tell you it’s never easy to keep four kids in their seats at a restaurant! That’s a sure sign of good food. For those kids that aren’t quite so well behaved, there are a handful of arcade games to keep them entertained.

At another table, a group of teenagers was digging through a pile of wings while watching the UNC men’s basketball team beat rival Duke. There's a large projection screen TV in the back (as well as plenty of smaller units), making Bunny’s a great place to catch a game.

There wasn’t a single empty stool at the bar, as a group of regulars caught the game and chatted with bartenders. The staff knew many of the customers at the tables on a first-name basis and took the time to catch up like old friends.

Bunny’s has such a regular crowd for various reasons, but they include good daily drink specials and even better thin-crust pizza. Add just about any topping, or go for traditional cheese. Either way, the pizza is great. Other menu items include typical bar food, sandwiches, seafood and pasta dishes. On a budget? Stop by for the lunch buffet: all-you-can-eat pizza, salad bar or soup, and soft drinks for just $7.95.

For the best meal, stick to the pizza and Bunny’s famous Garlic Salad. The salad is a heaping plate of fresh lettuce, pepperocini, onions, olives, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes, and roasted peppers saturated in Bunny’s light garlic dressing. (Don’t be fooled – it’s light in color, not calories!)

To enjoy a little bit of everything, try the Bunny’s Sampler Platter: fried battered zucchini sticks, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, mushrooms, onion rings, potato skins, chicken fingers and wings, all for $14.95. The platter is served with four dipping sauces, including a savory BBQ sauce for the wings.

The other dishes we tried were OK, but “nothing to write home about,” in my dad’s opinion. He had the Mussels with Sweet Sauce over Linguini and said the sauce did not taste homemade. I recommend sticking to the items Bunny’s is known for – ultra thin-crust pizza and seemingly bottomless pints.