Palermo Pizzeria is like a slice of Italy right here in our own backyard. The Simi Valley-based restaurant serves up an amazing New York-style thin-crust pizza that would make you believe you’re sitting in one of the better Manhattan pizzerias. But it’s not just about pizza. This hidden gem is also worth seeking out for its pasta, subs and a whole list of yummy, locally sourced, Italian-inspired goodies— all made fresh.

A restaurant with about 50 years of history in the city, Palermo still stands strong. Last summer, it came under the ownership of a Simi Valley resident who knows what her beloved community stands for. Linda Carabello took the reins June 15 and she’s using the same proven recipes handed down by the Cascio family, Palermo’s original owners, who emigrated from Italy and named the restaurant after their hometown of Palermo, Sicily.