Formaggio's Express Opens Near River Hills

Formaggio's Italian Restaurant is expanding its offerings north and south of FishHawk Boulevard on Lithia-Pinecrest Road, with the opening of its express venture across the street from Lithia Springs Elementary School.

Complementing its dine-in Formaggio's Italian Restaurant at 19531 Boyette Road is Formaggio's express, just south of the entrance to the River Hills community and River Hills Golf and Country Club.

• See

There also is a Formaggio's Pizzeria Express at the corner of Bloomingale Avenue and Lithia-Pinecrest Road, in the Stein Mart-anchored shopping center. Its size is between the larger restaurant in Lithia and the newly opened express eatery.

"Our River Hills pizzeria is now officially open," notes a Facebook post announcing the express store's grand opening. ""We will deliver to River Hills and the [the] immediate surrounding area."

The address is 4356 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, across the street from The Brunchery and Lithia Springs Elementary School.

How psyched is the community to have Mr. Formaggio in the space vacated by a previous pizzeria?

Pretty psyched, if Facebook likes are any indication. Just 14 hours after the April 22 Facebook announcement was posted more than 100 people "liked" the notice. Among the many comments was this one, from Mandy Coleman Raschke:

"I'm closer to the Stein Mart location but will drive anywhere for Formaggio's pizza. We used to drive to the restaurant [in Lithia] every Friday before your express [near Stein Mart] opened. No matter what we will always support you."

The express eatery across the street from Lynx Paw Trail, the entrance to Lithia Springs Elementary School, is designed mostly for pick-up and take-out service, although "it does have a couple of tables to sit and eat by the slice, so to speak," the Facebook notice announces.

Featured will be such dishes as "homemade lasagna, gyros salads and more."

Manny Tzilvelis, owner of Formaggio's Italian Restaurant and express eateries, said in an interview that he is eager to work with Lithia Springs Elementary School parents and teachers and the surrounding communities.

He noted, too, that his son, injured in a propane gas explosion at the FishHawk baseball fields, where Formaggio's serves pizza from a truck, continues to do well. The freak accident drew a great deal of community support for the injured James Tzilvelis.

• See Man Recovering From Explosion at FishHawk Baseball Fields

Hours for the new eatery are Monday through Thursdays, from 1:30 to 9 p.m.; Fridays, from 1:30 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more Formaggio's information, visit Formaggio's online.