"After school and during the summer, we used to bus tables. Stephen and I learned all about the business from the ground up. It's in our blood," said Robert DeRose, of Danbury.

While Sal retired several years ago, the business is still run by the DeRose family.

Terry Fiorito, a Danbury resident, said Bambino's pizza, "I used to travel around the country for my job, and I can tell you that Bambino's has the best pizza around.

"In most pizza places, the sauce tastes too sweet. This is because there is sugar in it," he said. "Bambino's sauce tastes rich. You can actually taste the tomatoes, garlic, and all the other ingredients in it.

"Also, the cheese is not globbed on. It's light and has texture. Bambino's dough isn't too hard. True pizza dough has its own distinct taste. It shouldn't taste like bread."

"The staff always knows exactly what my kids will order. Also, they have the best meatballs," said customer Lisa McCarthy of Danbury.

Mondays to Wednesdays, 11-9 p.m.; Thursdays to Saturdays, 11-10 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 9 p.m. Call 203-730-9505 or visit www.bambinospizzact.com.