When it comes to pizza, I’m a bit of a pizza-holic! Neapolitan, NY, Detroit, Roman, deep-dish, tavern-style, I love it all. So I’m super pleased that Dino’s Pizza is now open in Durham! And after a couple of visits I can say “call me impressed”. While the concept and food is pretty simple, the execution is excellent at Dino’s. And if you’re an ex-Yankee like I am, you’ll find a lot of familiar flavors and deliciousness here. Read on for the details, dear reader!
Dino’s Pizza in Durham – Location, Interior
First things first, to dine at Dino’s Pizza and Pasta, head on over to the UHill development, next to University Hill Apartments and off of University Drive! This small plaza sprung up 5 or 6 years ago and has slowly been filling out over time. It feels like it attracts a young upscale crowd of students and families that take advantage of the gym, yoga studio, and shops here. In addition to the retail, UHill offers 8 or 9 food and drink establishments, Dino’s sit right under Gizmo Brew Works for a classic beer and pizza corner! Note that this plaza can get pretty busy at times so finding a parking spot during peak periods can be a challenge.
Inside Dino’s you’ll find a refreshed Italian-American feel and decor inside. From the red-checked vinyl table cloths to the stained glass lamps overhead (unfortunately, the ceiling is a bit too high here) and the busy bar to the right, Dino’s is great for families or a casual dinner. From what I understand, they are going for a western NY type feel (Buffalo) which is where the origins of Dino’s Chef Tom comes from. The large and open space has a lot of energy and the staff is decked out casually in t-shirts.
Dino’s Pizza in Durham – Menu, Food
Diving into the plastic-covered menu you’ll find an array of delicious Italian classics, all very reasonably priced, under $20. Choose from antipasti and a short list of starters for your meal. All your favorites like burrata, fried mozzarella, meatballs, calamari and one unique item: pizza logs (pepperoni, cheese, marinara sauce). The bar menu is pretty short and simple: basic beers, house wines, along with a handful of cocktails.
For an appetizer, I definitely recommend the fried mozzarella, two larger, rectangular pieces of melty cheese that has been perfectly fried. Paired with the smooth and tangy marinara sauce makes for an excellent bite! The fried calamari was also tasty but a bit skimpy for $15. Or maybe just another example of shrink-flation in 2025.
Moving on to the mains, I highly recommend Dino’s pizza. It’s a very thin, thin-crust with a bit of crispiness on the undercarriage. The margherita pie is a perfect balance of sauce and cheese with a smattering of basil ripped on top. An excellent version of a NY pizza but upgraded a bit while still being classic.
Probably the killer dish at Dino’s is their chicken parm! I’m a huge fan of this large, lumpy bumpy cutlet that’s holds up under all their tomato sauce and cheese. It’s nicely breaded and most of the dishes at Dino’s offers rigatoni alla vodka or a garden salad as a side. Unless you’re on a diet or a committed vegetarian, the alla vodka pasta is the answer! It’s really nicely done with a bit of tomato, vodka richness coating the toothsome pasta. I’ve also tried the chicken al limone (lemon chicken) which is like a simpler chicken picatta but equally tasty.
Dino’s Pizza in Durham – Service, Conclusion
Service at Dino’s has a been a bit mixed, I think the staff is pretty new and inexperienced but it’s still early. They are definitely trying but expect some hiccups on your order. Overall I really enjoy what Dino’s is trying to do. Elevated Italian-American that’s affordable is a bit of a needed dining option for the Durham scene. Everything that I’ve tried has been nicely prepared and I love the classic touches around the red-checked tablecloths, red plastic tumblers and classic glass condiment shakers at each table. It all feels quite comforting to this old guy! Go in with the right expectations and I think you’ll have a great meal at Dino’s! Whether you enjoy pizza or pasta (or even salads?!) you’ll leave a happy camper…
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