According to pennlive.com, “The simple Italian dish made from dough, a slathering of sauce and sprinkling of mozzarella cheese is not only cheap, it’s recession-proof.”

“Pizza is the affordable food. A whole pizza is priced about $6 to $15 depending on the size and number of toppings. ‘It’s cheaper for a family to come in and buy a pie for $10 and feed the kids,’ said Richard Hanna, owner of Santo’s Pizza shops in Swatara and Susquehanna townships.”

“Restaurant sales across the nation are down this year, according to the National Restaurant Association. Even big pizza chains such as Pizza Hut and Domino’s have experienced stagnant sales and have responded with new items such as sandwiches, wings and pastas to help boost sales. But the neighborhood pizza shop appears immune to all the belt-tightening. At least a half-dozen local pizza places have opened in the past six months, including Jigsy’s Old Forge Pizza in Silver Spring Township, Infinito’s Pizza Pasta & Salad Buffet in Lower Paxton Township and Mercado’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant Sports Bar in Harrisburg.”

“Weekday lunch business is steady at Pasquale’s Pizza on South Third Street in Harrisburg, said owner Marc Silvetti. At least 125 customers come through the doors every day for the $3 lunch special — two slices of pizza and a soda — as well as the subs.”